Market Intelligence

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton revisits the taxable muni market's expansion from the 1986 tax reforms through the BAB era, showing how call features, policy changes and rate cycles influence issuance, and why taxable munis remain a flexible tool for issuers and investors.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton warns that as ESSER-era support fades, shifting enrollment patterns, voucher expansion, tax-cut dynamics and rising costs are exposing credit stress in parts of the K-12 sector — making security selection and disclosure discipline more important in 2026 and beyond.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton argues that state bond bank debt remains one of the muni market's most conservative, well-secured allocations — and makes the case for expanding bond bank models to broaden infrastructure access for smaller and underserved local borrowers and for addressing growing funding needs brought about by shifting federal priorities.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton looks back on a first quarter in which the municipal bond market was unexpectedly buffeted by the winds of war.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton details some tools he finds useful to manage risk exposure, establish market trends and identify opportunities.

Findings from The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions report predict funding crises in these market sectors will be a top worry for municipal finance pros.

In this Market Intelligence analysis, Jeff Lipton warns that granting states access to Chapter 9 would be deeply disruptive, likely forcing muni yields higher and liquidity lower, while underscoring why states' legal protections and reserves still support strong willingness to pay.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton assigns a stable yet guarded view to airport bonds, highlighting how gateways and large hubs can outperform as fuel costs, travel demand and geopolitical risk evolve — while investors sharpen focus on leverage, rate recovery and cyber defenses.

The latest research from The Bond Buyer predicts supply and issuance volume will grow in the months ahead.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton distills what he heard onstage and in the hallways at The Bond Buyer's 2026 National Outlook, from policy uncertainty and the muni tax exemption to AI's growing role and credit risk hotspots.

A recent report from The Bond Buyer found that data quality and accuracy was the top concern among AI skeptics in the industry.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton assesses the early impacts of Operation Epic Fury on rates, spreads, shifting inflation expectations, and flows, arguing that elevated tax-exempt income, disciplined sector allocation and a quality bias can help muni investors navigate headline-driven volatility.

Findings from The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions Report show tax shakeups and political uncertainty pose major challenges to public finance.

Jeff Lipton compares The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions Report to his outlook series.

The Bond Buyer's 2026 Predictions Report shows professionals expect growth for the year ahead, but are cautious about changes coming to the central bank.

While near-term uncertainty is inevitable, the court's decision should be accretive to growth expectations and somewhat disinflationary.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton analyzes how varied state funding priorities and overall charter school support, shifting enrollment patterns, policy uncertainty, charter renewal risk,  and varied pension practices affect charter school bond security—and outlines what issuers, advisors and investors should be communicating to the market.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton uses the Federal Reserve's latest Flow of Funds data to show how households still dominate municipal bond ownership even as ETFs surge and banks and insurance companies trim exposure, reshaping muni demand heading into 2026.

In this third of a three-part 2026 municipal bond outlook series, Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton explains how another year of heavy supply, surging ETF and SMA assets, climate and cyber risk, and growing use of bond insurance will drive muni market structure and strategy for both sell-side and buy-side stakeholders.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton, in the second installment of his three-part 2026 outlook series, maps out quality-centric portfolio shifts, barbell and long-end strategies, and sector tilts across hospitals, higher education and housing as record supply and net inflows drive the muni market.