Markets

Top quality municipal bonds were stronger at mid-session, according to traders, ahead of this week’s $4 billion new issue calendar.

State officials say they won't permit unlimited short-term borrowing.

More individuals looked for jobs, but, when extended, wage offers were lower, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s July first released labor market survey.

The municipal bond market is looking at a smaller than average bond calendar this week, which will be dominated by the short-term note sector.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for July decreased to negative 0.01 from positive 0.16 in June, while the three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) fell to negative 0.05 from positive 0.09 in June, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Monday.

The state of Texas is riding into the market this week with the biggest short-term deal of the year.

The development sector grew by 36% and public facilities climbed by 11%, making them the sectors that grew by the largest percentage in the first half of the year. The sectors with the biggest declines were electric power at 55% and utilities at 23%.

The municipal market got off to a fast start in terms of issuance this year, picking up in January right where it left off from 2016’s record-setting totals. However, the pace of issuance has since slowed, leaving 2017 first-half volume lagging last year's levels.

Short-term note issuance rose less than 5% in the first half of 2017 as municipalities relies less on cash flow needs.

Although market conditions and a still relatively low interest rate environment continue to hamper the bond insurance industry, there continue to be encouraging signs including a slight uptick in the insurance penetration rate.