The Yield Spread and Bond Return Predictability in Expansions and Recessions.

This paper uncovers that expected excess bond returns display a positive correlation with the slope of the yield curve (i.e. yield spread) in expansions but a negative correlation in recessions. We use a macro-finance term structure model with different market prices of risk in expansions and recessions to show that a very accommodating monetary policy in recessions is a key driver of this switch in return predictability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]