Bonds

Cities and towns should take a hard look at the banks that hold their public funds in light of the recent turmoil in the bank industry. That was the message from panelists speaking Monday at the Government Finance Officers Association’s annual conference in Portland. “You might want to change up how you’re doing your banking,”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson won’t say yet whether he intends to leave in place his predecessor’s executive order earmarking a budget surplus for future supplemental pension contributions.   He also hasn’t committed to which of the tax proposals he advocated the campaign that brought him to the mayor’s office this month he will pursue first.

Municipals were weaker in the belly of the curve Thursday while U.S. Treasury yields sold off on the short end on Fed speak and continued concerns over the debt ceiling impasse. Equities were mixed near the close. Despite the rally in tech stocks, USTs and munis are reacting to uneven economic data and a potential

California lawmakers are betting voters have had a change of heart regarding the need for a statewide school bond measure. The state Senate approved on Wednesday a $15.5 billion school construction bond measure that would go before voters in March that is similar to the $15 billion Proposition 13, a failed school bond measure that

A fierce winter storm that hit several states more than two years ago is still churning out bond-related events, with a Texas utility refunding taxable tendered debt with tax-free bonds thanks to a private letter ruling, and an Oklahoma deal falling short on a debt service payment. Billions of dollars of debt has been sold

Minnesota lawmakers ended their 2023 session after passing a two-year budget with new funding for schools and social services, a $2.6 billion capital package, and a tax package that raises some taxes and fees on top earners and corporations while providing rebates for others and paying off debt for the NFL Vikings’ stadium. The budget

Municipals were steady to weaker in spots Wednesday, while U.S. Treasury yields rose several basis points in conjunction with the release of the Federal Open Market Committee minutes that showed members split on whether interest rates will be raised further. Stocks sold off. After cuts up to 10 basis points Tuesday, triple-A yields were cut

A ruling by federal officials that could make or break New Jersey’s first major offshore wind farm project is expected this summer. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the $1.6 billion Ocean Wind 1 project, a state-supported plan by Danish energy

Municipals resumed their selloff Tuesday, while U.S. Treasuries were slightly weaker and equities ended down as debt ceiling negotiations and Fed policy uncertainties hang over financial markets. Triple-A yields rose from two to five basis points on the one-year and up to 10 basis points across the rest of the curve. Municipal to UST ratios

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia on Thursday announced the recipients of $225 million of federal health and public facilities development grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The state selected142 projects from a crowded field of proposals submitted by local governments and nonprofit organizations as per federal regulation that would help “improve

After selling off last week, municipals saw some pressure ease as triple-A yields rose only a few basis points while U.S. Treasuries were weaker and equities ended mixed. Municipal to UST ratios were steady. The two-year muni-Treasury ratio Monday was at 71%, the three-year at 72%, the five-year at 71%, the 10-year at 69% and

Prominent bond traders said appetite for restructured Puerto Rico bonds is high and the future will likely bring greater market acceptance. Puerto Rico’s local government, through its Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority, brought the five traders to talk about the bonds at its PRNow conference in New York City Friday. “There’s an enormous demand

Economic and interest rate uncertainties greet the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s planned sale of $257.9 million in water and sewer bonds as the authority mixes new money and refinancing in a deal with four distinct pieces. The deal is planned the week of June 4, according to an online “roadshow” presentation for investors. BofA

The Kroll Bond Rating Agency upgraded Connecticut’s long-term general obligation rating to AA-plus from AA on Thursday. The upgraded rating continues Kroll’s stable outlook and reflected Connecticut’s “strong credit profile and significant and continuing progress in improving its financial position over the last six fiscal years,” the agency said. KBRA pointed in particular to the extension

Michigan trimmed its revenue estimates Friday to account for tax changes that carry a multi-billion-dollar price tag. The new projections could require roughly $600 million in reduced spending over what Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed earlier this year in the fiscal 2024 budget that would take effect Oct. 1. It relies on available revenue from what

Muni yields climbed even higher to end the week, while U.S. Treasuries were weaker and equities ended down. Muni yields, after outperforming USTs the prior week, “have adjusted higher in a hurry this week in sympathy with the UST selloff,” said Barclays strategists Mikhail Foux, Clare Pickering and Mayur Patel. Triple-A benchmark yields rose four

The federal government, five cities and California have struck an agreement they say will cut red tape at all levels of government to reduce homelessness more quickly. The cities selected to participate in the program — Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Seattle — along with California, are home to nearly half of the nation’s homeless

California’s rating outlook was revised to negative from stable Thursday by Moody’s Investors Service amid the state’s revenue uncertainty. The rating agency also affirmed the Aa2 rating on the state’s general obligation bonds, citing the state’s massive economic base and healthy budget reserves and liquidity. The Aa2 rating on the state’s general obligation bonds is

Municipals experienced further pressure Thursday, with the triple-A benchmarks inside 10 years being hit the hardest. Short-term U.S. Treasury yields extended their selloff, and equities ended mixed. Triple-Amunicipal yields were cut 10 to 15 basis points, depending on the scale, 10 years and in. UST yields rose three to 12 basis points. Municipal to UST

Short-term munis sold off Wednesday, as triple-A benchmarks rose in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries. Equities rallied. Muni yields rose seven to 12 basis points five years in, while USTs rose two to eight basis points. Performance-wise, Matthew Buscone, co-head of portfolio management at Breckinridge Capital Advisors, said the muni market has been soft this week.