News and Information from Bond Buyer

Though the economists don't expect a recession looking out two years, there is a lot of risk related to the conflict in the middle east and uncertainty around monetary policy.

The state's transportation department plans to sell $200 million of highway fund revenue bonds this summer for its Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program.

The American High-Speed Rail Act has seen "some initial interest from Republican lawmakers – I'm working hard to get them on board too," said bill sponsor Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.

Narens' hiring complements Stifel's public finance practice and the types of deals the firm is doing, said Betsy Kiehn, managing director and head of Stifel's Municipal Capital Markets Group.

Chicago will issue $80.865 million of Series 2024A and 2024B senior lien airport revenue refunding bonds for Midway, with a pricing date to be determined.

Bond parties want several creditor classes' votes in favor of the plan of adjustment to be disqualified.

Rural hospitals and clinics are closing in Wisconsin while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers battles the state's Republican legislature over Medicaid expansion.

The relative health of state treasuries was an area of interest at the National Association of State Treasurers legislative conference.

The top five bond financings have an average dollar volume of more than $957 million.

"The muni AAA [high grade] curve has been relatively steady thus far in March, but lags relative to the broader fixed income market after sizable muni outperformance in February," said J.P. Morgan strategists. 

California's Inglewood Transit Connector Project, Chicago's Red Line extension, New York-New Jersey's Hudson Tunnel and the Second Avenue subway would all win funds under the spending proposal.

The new SEC climate rule does not apply directly to municipal issuers but they may very well be on the hook for violating SEC antifraud provisions if they don't disclose those risks defined in the new rules.

The bill allows local governments to bypass public bidding and notice requirements in current P3 law.

Over the past few years, retail has been a growing portion of the muni market, starting when the reduction of corporate taxes made it less advantageous for insurance companies and banks to own munis, said David Litvack, a tax-exempt strategist and chief investment officer at BofA.

Taxable munis have returned 1.48% month to date and 0.29% year-to-date while investment-grade munis have seen 0.44% returns so far in March and 0.05% year-to-date. USTs are in the black at 1.43% so far this month but returning -1.76% year-to-date while corporate bonds are returning 1.24% in March but -0.46% year-to-date.

Bond trustee UMB Bank notified bondholders that Branson Airport's leaders want to pursue federal grant funding for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades, but it will require bondholder approval.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said her public-private sector plan to build a strategic water supply will remain a top priority after a bill for financing failed to advance in the legislature.

The National Football League's Chicago Bears are pursuing plans to build a publicly owned domed stadium in Chicago, boosted by $2 billion of private funds. 

Issuers have increased their debt sale in recent weeks, as issuance has come in above $70 billion year-to-date, according to LSEG data

Raymond James' 10 hires include six senior bankers and an entire Citi public finance team focused on California.