Category: Bonds
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Kashkari says Fed committed to slowing inflation to 2% goal
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said the central bank is committed to doing what’s necessary to bring down demand in order to reach policy makers’ 2% long-term inflation goal, a target that remains far off. “We are committed to bringing inflation down and we’re going to do what we need to do,”…
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NYC heads to market with bonds backed by charter school revenue
New York City’s issuance of $22 million of special obligation revenue-backed bonds next week is just the latest in a series of deals that local officials hope will help address the future educational needs of a growing and increasingly youthful urban population. The bonds are slated to be priced by Robert W. Baird & Co.…
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Moody’s lifts Minnesota’s rating to Aaa
Minnesota has a trio of triple-A general obligation ratings after Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the state to Aaa from Aa1 on Thursday. The rating agency cited the state’s financial condition, governance, and “high degree” of flexibility to raise revenue and adjust spending for the upgrade, which comes ahead of an approximately $591.5 million new money…
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Puerto Rico FAFAA objects to HTA plan of adjustment
The Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority filed an objection to the Highways and Transportation Authority Plan of Adjustment Thursday, saying it is illegal. FAFAA, a government body, objected to the Puerto Rico Oversight Board’s HTA plan of adjustment submitted to bankruptcy Judge Laura Taylor Swain. While the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and…
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Munis close out July in the black
Municipals were steady to firmer in spots to close out a week of lackluster supply, while U.S. Treasuries were mixed and equities rallied. Muni-UST ratios on Friday were at 67% in five years, 84% in 10 years and 98% in 30 years, according to Refinitiv MMD’s 3 p.m. read. ICE Data Services had the five…
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Meredith Hathorn to lead MSRB as new chair
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board announced Friday that Meredith Hathorn will be its next chair of the board on the same day that the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the withdrawal of the board’s controversial fee proposal and the MSRB submitted a new version. Hathorn is a managing partner at Foley & Judell in Baton…
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Puerto Rico board cites progress in asking for continued PREPA mediation
The Puerto Rico Oversight Board pointed to progress in negotiations in its attempt to convince the bankruptcy judge to extend the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority mediation period for several more weeks. Progress has particularly been made regarding securities structure, the board said in a filing with Judge Laura Taylor Swain Wednesday. Swain is considering…
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Munis follow UST rally post-weak GDP; fund inflows return
Municipals were stronger and inflows returned Thursday, following a rally in U.S. Treasuries after GDP numbers came in weaker for the second month in a row and a day after the Fed hiked rates 75 basis points. Equities ended in the black. Triple-A municipal yields fell up to eight basis points, depending on the scale,…
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Outgoing California DOF chief tested by state’s rollercoaster finances
Walt Disney couldn’t dream up a rollercoaster to rival the curves that California’s fiscal policymakers have had to navigate over the past two decades. In an historically short time frame, the state experienced the 2000 energy crisis that forced out then-Gov. Gray Davis; paid off $7 billion of deficit bonds issued by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger…
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Munis stronger on the day amid Fed rate hike
Municipals were firmer following the Fed’s decision to hike rates another 75 basis points, while U.S. Treasuries rallied on the short end and equities ended up. Despite this being another “outsize rate increase” of 75 basis points, Brian Coulton, chief economist for Fitch Ratings, said “the Fed has still only raised interest rates back into…
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Nonprofit hospitals face pressure if reconciliation bill fails
The latest version of a much-negotiated spending bill that Senate Democrats hope to pass before the end of next week features a provision that’s key to the stability of the nonprofit health care sector, market participants said. After passing the House in December as a $1.75 trillion Build Back Better legislation that encompassed President Joe…
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Munis firmer ahead of FOMC decision
Municipals were firmer Tuesday ahead of the conclusion of the July Federal Open Market Committee meeting where a three-quarter point rate hike is likely, while U.S. Treasuries were weaker and equities sold off. Triple-A curves saw yields fall up to five basis points, depending on the scale, while U.S. Treasuries rose up to three basis…
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Scammers pose as IRS’ TEGE division
Issuers and borrowers should watch out for phishing scams in their communications with the IRS’ Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division, as there have been instances in recent months of scammers posing as IRS representatives. John Stanley, a tax and public finance partner at Orrick and Joseph Santiesteban, private and data innovation partner at Orrick,…
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Munis on sidelines; markets wary ahead of FOMC
Municipals were little changed Monday while U.S. Treasuries were weaker and equities were mixed near the close. With a steady muni yield curve and weaker USTs, muni to UST ratios on Monday fell slightly. They were at 67% in five years, 85% in 10 years and 98% in 30 years, according to Refinitiv MMD’s 3…
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Florida’s jobless rate falls to 2.8% as its economic recovery continues
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.8% in June as the state’s labor force continued to grow, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The state’s unemployment rate has declined or held steady for 23 straight months, DEO said Friday. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6% in June. Florida’s labor force grew by…
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Port Authority of NY&NJ has billions on tap as passenger rates rise
As the U.S. airline industry appears to shake off the lingering effects of the pandemic, experts expect a rapid return to profitability and previously predicted growth. After a staggering 96% drop in the volume of domestic air travel shortly after the adoption of travel restrictions in March of 2020, passenger flight rates have rebounded to…
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Michigan lands Fitch upgrade as reserves and cash balances reach for new peaks
Michigan drew an upgrade from Fitch Ratings over analysts’ view that a rebuilding of reserves and cash balances along with flush tax collections and conservative budgeting strengthens the state’s edge in weathering a future downtown. The upgrade to AA-plus from AA impacts $1 billion of outstanding general obligation debt and the Michigan School Bond Qualification…
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Puerto Rico status act passes committee but faces new opposition
The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee passed a binding plebiscite on Puerto Rico’s status Wednesday but immediately faced opposition by some United States-based diaspora groups. The bill would offer Puerto Rico voters three options: statehood, independence, or sovereignty in free association with the United States. The current status — remaining a territory —…
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Arizona clawback case dismissal is latest blow struck in complex policy fight
The dismissal of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s lawsuit to block the Treasury Department from clawing back some pandemic relief money highlights both the complexities of state compliance with federal guidance and the antagonism that exists between certain states and the Biden administration. But while Ducey was unable to make his case in federal court this…
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Smallest new-issue calendar of year to greet investors
Investors will be greeted Monday with the smallest new-issue calendar year-to-date ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee’s July meeting where rates are anticipated to be hiked at least three-quarters of a point. To end the week, munis were firmer, underperforming the extended U.S. Treasuries rally where yields again fell double-digit basis points. Equities ended…