Markets

California and Washington sold four large refunding GO deals in the competitive market while several deals of size priced in the negotiated market led by a $650 million for Arizona's Salt River Project. A constructive secondary led yields to fall three to five basis points.

The upgrade brings Illinois up to the A-minus level across the board. The state had three BBB-minus or equivalent ratings as recently as July 2021.

The recent rally is good news for munis, which have "posted a total-negative return loss for three straight months," said Jason Wong, vice president of municipals at AmeriVet Securities.

While it's been a tough year across fixed-income generally, a Wall Street muni retrenchment marks an opportunity for regional and middle-market firms to gain more of a foothold, market participants said.

Attorney General Ken Paxton put several big banks under a review last month, raising concerns more municipal bond underwriters could be driven out of the state.

Teacher shortages and enrollment declines due to growing charter and private schools are two of the problems affecting school financing.

Friday's employment report was good news for the Federal Reserve, with fewer jobs created and a smaller rise in earnings, leading analysts to cautiously increase expectations that the hiking cycle is over.

Washington will auction $483 million in two tranches on Tuesday.

"The lack of standardization is a very real problem that impacts all facets," said Ted Chapman, managing director and investment banker at Hilltop Securities.

Triple-A muni yields fell 10 to 14 basis points while UST saw gains of up to 16bps out long as market participants consider a potential end to Fed rate hikes.