Market Intelligence

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.

In the first of his three-part 2026 municipal outlook series, Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton forecasts for sub-5% returns, continued demand, possibly more curve steepening as the Fed eases slowly, the economy skirts recession, and AI, tariffs and midterm politics potentially reshaping risks across public finance sectors.

Market Intelligence analyst Jeff Lipton finds that low debt burdens, stronger rainy-day funds, improved pension metrics and robust legal safeguards help states remain a core source of stability and diversification for muni portfolios despite slowing growth and fiscal headwinds.

Multi-layered state oversight, strict fiscal safeguards and durable revenue pledges support New York City GO and TFA bonds even as investors brace for policy shifts under mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

As climate and cybersecurity risks intensify, Jeff Lipton argues it's time for the legal community to lead a new era of municipal disclosure — tightening language, clarifying exposures, and ensuring investor confidence.

Jeff Lipton begins his role as The Bond Buyer's Market Intelligence Analyst with an examination of how evolving federal policy, shifting credit conditions and market inefficiencies shape municipal risk — and where disciplined analysis can uncover value.