Markets

After a busy week, the muni market is preparing for one of the biggest weeks in history, with an estimated $17.4 billion deals.

After a busy week, and some clarity on tax reform, market participants are gearing up for the biggest volume week in some time, as issuers are getting advance refundings in while they still can.

Construction spending was up 1.4% in October, well above expectations, fueled by a 3.9% jump in public construction.

The overall economy grew for the 102nd straight time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday. Suppliers reported strength in sales.

Muni issuers rushing to get advance refundings done in December before Congress passes a tax bill that terminates them may face a halt in sales of state and local government securities because of the debt limit.

In the week ended Nov. 30, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index rose to 3.99% from 3.95% the previous week. The BB40 Index is based on the price of 40 long-term bonds.

Traders saw "a major flip in psychology of the market" as moves to bar private activity bonds and advance refundings met some resistance.

The group plans to sell roughly $1 billion of bonds, with a mix of btax-exempt and taxable debt.

With rates trending higher, the county still hopes an advance refunding will save water and sewer ratepayers $68 million.

The possibility of the municipal market losing both advance refundings and private activity bonds brought a spike in issuance that's likely to extend into December.