Bonds

Municipals weakened further Thursday as outflows from muni mutual funds lessened, while short-term U.S. Treasury yields fell after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested central bankers could raise rates again, but not at the upcoming meeting. Equities sold off. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Thursday was at 71%, the three-year was at 71%, the five-year at 70%,
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Chattanooga, Tennessee, fetched AAA ratings ahead of its planned general obligation bond sale. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings both affirmed Chattanooga’s AAA issuer rating while assigning the same to an upcoming competitive sale of $40.2 million of general obligation bonds by the city expected on or around Oct. 31. The outlook is stable on
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Municipals faced more pressure Wednesday and two billion-dollar-plus deals for Connecticut and the New York City Transitional Finance Authority saw yields rise up to 12 to 13 basis points from Tuesday’s retail pricings while the third consecutive week of $2 billion plus outflows were reported. U.S. Treasuries saw more losses and equities sold off. Triple-A
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Amid a busy new-issue day, munis could not help but follow a U.S. Treasury selloff that was led by stronger economic data, reaffirming that rates will remain higher for longer. Equities were down late in the session. “The ‘higher for longer’ interest rate narrative continues to have a significant impact on all fixed income markets,”
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Wisconsin ended fiscal 2023 on June 30 with record-high balances of $7.07 billion for its budget and $1.8 billion in its rainy day fund, the state announced Monday. General purpose revenue tax collections totaled almost $21 billion, up 2.1% from fiscal 2022, which ended with a nearly $4.3 billion budget balance, according to a 2023
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New York state tax collections from mobile sports betting totaled $727.4 million in fiscal 2022-2023, according to a report from the state comptroller’s office. “Gaming has significantly expanded in the state in the last several years,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Wednesday. “With the ease and 24/7 availability of mobile betting apps, problem gambling and addiction
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Cities and states should “keep calm and issue bonds” despite sticker shock from rising interest rates and a volatile municipal bond market. That was the message from panelists speaking Thursday at the Government Finance Officers Association’s annual MiniMuni event, a three-day online event for issuers. The rise in rates “makes our jobs as debt managers
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a civil rights investigation into Alabama’s Department of Environmental Management after reviewing complaints of discrimination in the distribution of federal funds. In a letter addressed to ADEM Director Lance Lefluer, the EPA said it would launch a probe into state policy concerning distributions from a federally backed sewage
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Municipals were mixed Thursday, outperforming U.S. Treasuries, which saw larger losses following a higher-than-anticipated inflation report, while more outflows from muni mutual funds were reported. U.S. Treasuries sold off after the consumer price index report showed inflation rising, paring back gains after several sessions of a flight-to-safety bid amid the violence in Israel. Equities ended
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Wednesday unveiled a $16.6 billion all-funds spending package he dubbed the “people’s budget” that “begins the critical investments necessary” to usher in his progressive vision of solving the city’s significant fiscal and social challenges. The budget proposal features little in the way of new taxes or fees despite Johnson’s campaign pledge
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Municipals were firmer Tuesday, underperforming a U.S. Treasury flight-to-safety rally. Equities ended in the black. Triple-A muni yields fell up to 10 basis points while USTs rallied upwards of 15 basis points. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Tuesday was at 73%, the three-year was at 73%, the five-year at 74%, the 10-year at 75% and the
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The muni market may be several years away from fully integrating artificial intelligence, but firms are taking small steps already. “AI is a big deal if you want to personalize your approach, differentiate your products,” James Pruskowski, chief investment officer of 16Rock Asset Management, said during MuniTech NYC, a conference hosted by Munichain and Spline
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