FOMC

Get expert analysis of the May FOMC meeting, inflation outlook, and Powell's comments. Join Wilmington Trust's chief economist Luke Tilley on May 8 at 1 p.m. for key takeaways and forecasts.

Most of Thursday's issuance came from competitive deals, the largest being the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York with $2 billion-plus and California with $889 billion.

With no policy changes expected, analysts are eagerly awaiting the new Summary of Economic Projections for clues about future monetary policy.

The Federal Reserve appears to be on hold, waiting for clarity on inflation and fiscal policy. The March 19th Federal Open Market Committee meeting, with a new Summary of Economic Projections will illuminate members' revised thoughts on interest rates. Join us March 20 at 12:00 pm as Mike Goosay, Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income at Principal Asset Management, breaks down the meeting, Chair Powell's press conference and the SEP.

Investors added $741.7 million to municipal bond mutual funds in the week ending Wednesday, following $2.078 billion of inflows the prior week, according to LSEG Lipper data.

"There are a lot of moving parts here with the potential to either help or hinder the Fed's quest for price stability and maximum employment" this year, noted BMO Deputy Chief Economist Michael Gregory, who says the Fed will "stand pat."

The Federal Reserve will be more cautious and slow rate cuts going forward, according to minutes of the December Federal Open Market Committee meeting, released Wednesday.

Investors pulled more from municipal bond mutual funds in the final reporting week of 2024, but high-yield reverted to inflows to close out the year, adding to the sector's outperformance overall.

Although a new administration means policy uncertainty, most analysts see the economy growing above trend next year, although inflation will remain a concern.

While municipals have outperformed USTs on the whole in 2024, they will close December with losses. How taxables perform in early 2025 coupled with macroeconomic and Washington policy uncertainty have municipal market participants on edge for what lies ahead.