Category: Bonds

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21374434/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /> Municipals were steady to slightly weaker in spots, while U.S. Treasury yields rose a little and equities ended down after the Federal Open Market Committee, as expected, held rates steady. “Both the FOMC’s December Summary of Economic Projections and current rate futures suggest 50 basis points of additional cuts…

A judge imposed a temporary stay on the Trump administration’s directive to pause all federal funding just minutes before the pause was set to take effect. A federal judge in the District of Columbia Tuesday blocked for a few days the Trump administration’s order late Monday to freeze the disbursement of federal funds that stunned…

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21361104/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /> Municipals were steady Tuesday ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting as U.S. Treasury yields were little changed and equities ended up. This year may see higher levels of volatility due to the uncertainty about forthcoming policies from President Donald Trump’s administration, said BlackRock strategists. “An emphasis on…

Dave Sanchez, director of the Office of Municipal Securities at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Donna Aberico Unregistered municipal advisory activity in the public-private partnership space as well as insufficient oversight by state and local governments of joint powers authorities they create are persistent concerns for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the director of the…

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21344305/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /> A new artificial intelligence model from Chinese firm DeepSeek led to a selloff in tech stocks, which, in turn, scared the broader market. In response, investors flocked to safe haven assets like municipal bonds and U.S. Treasuries. Muni yields fell five to seven basis points, depending on the scale,…

The Deer Island wastewater treatment plant in Boston is owned by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the largest borrower from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust’s revolving fund.Adobe Stock The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust returned to the market on Wednesday where its triple-A green and sustainability bonds were well received.  The $541 million negotiated deal is…

PREPA bondholders told the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau rates must be set to cover outstanding bond principal and interest. The Puerto Rico Oversight Board and bondholders of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority are engaged in a potentially high stakes argument over how electric rates should be set, which could profoundly impact bondholders’ recovery. The…

Warren “Bo” Daniels will lead the meeting as chair of the MSRB board. MSRB Ongoing work to potentially simplify the submission process for new issue disclosure and discussion of dealer supervisory obligations given changing work patterns will be among the topics on deck at the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s upcoming quarterly board meeting. The MSRB’s…

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo sparked a budget firestorm ahead of the legislative session by proposing a budget with a deficit and naming a new budget chief. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo replaced his budget chief just days before Nevada lawmakers convene on Feb. 3 for their regular legislative session, where they will discuss the governor’s budget…

Hans Hanf, former head of municipal markets at BAM, was remembered by friends and colleagues. Hans Hanf, former head of municipal markets at BAM, whose career in municipal finance spanned nearly half a century, died on Jan. 22.  He was 76. Hanf’s friends and colleagues remembered him as someone who could effortlessly bring people together.…

&amp;amp;lt;img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21307028/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /&amp;amp;gt; Municipals were steady Friday as U.S. Treasury yields fell slightly and equities ended lower. The 10-basis-point-plus UST rally in the week of Jan. 13 led to slightly more attractive muni-UST ratios as munis lagged, but not for long, said Barclays strategist Mikhail Foux. While UST yields were stable the…

The SEC was an aggressive enforcer during the tenure of former Chair Gary Gensler, who stepped down earlier this month. Bloomberg News The Securities and Exchange Commission brought a record number of enforcement filings in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the final quarter under former Chair Gary Gensler. Based on preliminary results, the…

&amp;amp;lt;img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21290760/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /&amp;amp;gt; Municipals were weaker Thursday as the primary market slowed and muni mutual funds saw inflows top $2 billion. U.S. Treasuries saw yields rise five years and out and equities ended mixed. The two-year municipal to UST ratio Thursday was at 64%, the five-year at 64%, the 10-year at 66%…

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón at her inauguration Jan. 2 in San Juan.Bloomberg News Puerto Rico’s new governor and new party controlling the legislature may bring changes to its financial and economic policies, according to analysts. The bankruptcy of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has continued for more than seven years and the…

The Texas House and Senate unveiled their budget plans for the fiscal 2026-27 biennium.Bloomberg News The Republican-controlled Texas House and Senate on Wednesday unveiled base budget plans for the upcoming biennium with both chambers proposing to continue funding and expand a massive property tax cut enacted in 2023. Armed with a record $39.4 billion cash…

The Chicago area’s Regional Transporation Authority is calling for $1.5 billion in funding from state and local sources, including higher local sales taxes and rider fares. Regional Transportation Authority With Chicago-area transit services facing a fiscal cliff and state lawmakers in Springfield advocating major governance reforms, the region’s Regional Transportation Authority released a plan last…

&amp;lt;img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21257304/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” /&amp;gt; Municipals were firmer Tuesday as U.S. Treasury yields fell and equities ended up. Muni yields were bumped one to four basis points, depending on the scale, while UST yields fell up to seven basis points out long. As the last third of January progresses, munis are in the red,…

Advisors to municipal bond issuers and borrowers, as well as rating agencies for municipal bonds, want to know that local governments and public agencies are on top of their financial and organizational management. Data-driven initiatives are one component to help monitor the goings-on of public agencies that help communicate what is and isn’t going in…

MSRB Chair Warren “Bo” Daniels.MSRB The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Thursday announced the members of its 2025 advisory groups, including those tapped for a new group that will focus on the intersection of technological innovation and municipal securities market regulation.  The advisory groups include a cross section of muni market experts who will provide insights…

Fieldman, Rolapp & Associates acquisition of G.L. Hicks deepens larger firm’s bench in healthcare finance, said Adam Bauer, Fieldman’s chief executive officer.Fieldman, Rolapp & Associates California municipal advisory powerhouse Fieldman, Rolapp & Co. started the new year with an acquisition enabling it to deepen its bench in healthcare finance. Fieldman acquired Orem, Utah-based municipal advisor…