Fed creates monster debt problem

The US corporate bond yields, as represented by Bloomberg Barclays Average Corporate Bond Yield Index, have declined to a record low of 2.03% despite debt levels as a percentage of gross domestic product soaring to record highs. 

This is because the Federal Reserve is buying individual corporate bonds in addition to exchange-traded funds as part of a $250 billion program funded by the CARES Act.

Usually, an uptick in debt levels pushes bond prices lower and yields higher. However, in this case, the Fed has essentially created a backstop to the debt market, which according to some observes, is a cause for concern. 

"The Fed has created its own monster. It can't stop buying assets otherwise the whole system will collapse," tweeted Otavio Costa, portfolio manager at Crescat Capital.