Coronavirus

The Federal Open Market Committee meeting that began Tuesday will be unique because rates remain at the zero lower bound and the Fed has taken many actions to ensure smooth markets since the economic shutdown to contain the coronavirus.

S&P Global Ratings changed its outlook on Chicago's BBB-plus rating to negative citing financial strains caused by the pandemic.

The ultimate impact of the bear market on pension risks is likely to vary widely among issuers, making granular analysis more important and valuable.

William Glasgall of the Volcker Alliance explores deficits, budget cuts, rainy-day funds and borrowing options amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Burton hosts.

Groups representing dealer firms and issuers both weighed in positively Monday evening after the Fed’s afternoon decision that it will expand its Municipal Liquidity Facility in both scope and duration.

Moody's Investors Service said public utilities may see declining coverage ratios as they suspend disconnects and offer discounts.

The system's offering statement presents a detailed picture of the pandemic's impact so far.

Fitch Ratings lowered its outlook on Hawaii's AA-plus rating to negative from stable, following a similar action by Moody's earlier this month.

The municipal bond market will see more supply hit the screens this week as buyers await much needed issuance and sellers hope for improved liquidity.

Several of the Lone Star State's manufacturing indexes dropped to record lows in April, a Dallas Fed survey showed.

Like their traditional peers, charter schools in the Southwest see the writing on the wall when it comes to future funding in a coronavirus-driven recession.

The Fed’s new program, however, will not be enough to negate the serious financial consequences that are likely to befall some local governments as they begin to feel the full effects of shutting down the economy. Both the Fed and Congress need to do more.

When April data becomes available in about a month, it is expected to beging showing the full force of the shutdown of nationwide economic activity.

MSRB Chief Market Structure Officer John Bagley will join the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for eight months to lend his municipal market knowledge toward the Fed’s new Municipal Liquidity Facility.

For the second time in two weeks, a rating agency lowered the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's outlook.

Where and how residents buy their alcohol in the commonwealth's control state system has resurfaced as a budgetary, policy and public-health dynamic.

The large Illinois county says it's too early to say how it will close its more than $200 million gap, but it has reserves and is lobbying for federal relief.

It is the underlying economy and demographics that drive tax revenues, budget needs, policy decisions, and capital needs/debt issuance of governments. Economic data is objective and updated often which can be critical in times like these.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said bankruptcy "could significantly raise states' cost of issuing bonds to pay for major transportation projects and other investments that boost the economy."

At a virtual quarterly board meeting this week, the board discussed its search for the next CEO, which has been affected by the virus.