Markets

PFM, Acacia and Piper move up in FA rankings, as deal volume handled by the top firms rose 18.6% from last year's depressed level to $64.32 billion.

Municipal bond insurers are running close to last year's clip through the first three months of 2019, as the two active insurers wrapped $3.61 billion in 288 transactions. That compares with $3.61 billion 257 deals during the same period last year. The insurance penetration rate dipped to 4.8% from 5.9% at the end of the first quarter of last year.

The top muni underwriters counsel rankings were all shaken up, as business spiked to $48.69 billion from $41.94 billion at this point last year.

A few taxable deals came into a weaker market today, highlighting the significance of what issuers can tap into by issuing taxable munis.

The U.S. economy grew at a slight-to-moderate pace in March and early April, though a few districts “reported some strengthening,” a Federal Reserve survey showed.

February wholesale inventories increased by 0.2%, vs. a 0.3% rise expected.

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed to an eight-month low in February on a surge in civilian aircraft exports, which may come under pressure after the grounding of Boeing Co.'s 737 MAX planes.

The airport authority in Ohio is using capital facility charges to back bonds for the facility.

The day after tax day did not diminish demand for munis as customer inquiry, especially on the short end, was strong.

Detroit approved its first budget after leaving state oversight and city officials say they will get its ratings back to investment grade.