Markets

Municipals were steady to stronger ahead of $11.5 billion of supply as requests for new municipal bond identifiers surged almost 40% last month.

Municipals firmed Friday, with yields falling by as much as two basis points, as coronavirus threats grow and a flight-to-safety resumes.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot's budget plan strikes the right balance between structural and one-time measures amid the coronavirus, says Jennie Huang Bennett.

The $4.3 billion deal will test the state's low bond ratings — punctuated by another downgrade — against the municipal market's continuing demand for paper.

Bullard addresses coronavirus and the economy, University of Michigan consumer expectations drop.

Municipal bonds strengthened Thursday as yields fell by as much as four basis points on AAA curves but coronavirus vaccine rally in stocks slowed and UST, munis regained ground.

Inflation remains low, while initial jobless claims continue improving, but the coronavirus pandemic looms large.

John Hallacy, founder of John Hallacy Consulting LLC, and Andrew Coen, Bond Buyer Northeast regional reporter, talk about next week’s $4 billion COVID-19 emergency GO and taxable social bond sale by New Jersey. Chip Barnett moderates the discussion on what it means for the state and whether the issue will become muni bond market benchmarks with an extra appeal to international investors. (15 minutes)

The rating agency cited higher leverage from borrowing plans to fund expansions and renovations and passenger traffic losses from the coronavirus pandemic.

S&P Global Ratings revised the outlook on Vermont’s AA-plus general obligation bond rating to negative from stable.