Investments

The rating agency estimated the cost of college and university capital needs at $750 billion to $950 billion over the next decade.

"Fed watchers will be parsing Powell's comments for signs that a 50bp rate cut is on the table for September," noted Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist with ITR Economics. "However, the notoriously tight-lipped chair is unlikely to confirm this, making a 25bp cut the most likely outcome."

The National Association of Bond Lawyers will give out two separate awards to Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger and longtime muni lawyer David Cholst, for their contributions to the organization and industry over the last four decades.

A state-by-state review of 2024 midyear issuance in the Midwest.

Midwest bond sales ticked 1.8% higher by volume in the first half of 2024, to $34.377 billion as the region missed out on the big gains in volume nationwide.

"Investor reception will remain the ultimate arbiter of muni performance and … the current state of the tax-exempt space to be well-positioned, even though munis are likely to continue to underperform USTs," said Jeff Lipton, a research analyst and market strategist.

Clyde, Texas, missed payments on certificates of participation due Aug. 1, the same day it declared a water emergency. Bond insurers are paying the holders.

The estimated $100 million raised annually from the 0.5% tax increase on the Nov. 5 ballot could be used to back bonds for affordable housing.

Lawmakers could take a scalpel to certain bonds and sectors to penalize issuers for unrelated policies, like school vouchers or campus protests.

We know that visibility is more than just being seen — it's about influence, credibility and opportunity. For women in public finance, gaining visibility can be a game-changer.

In this episode, Howard Cure, Director of Municipal Bond Research at Evercore Wealth Management, discusses the improving state of public pensions, the ongoing challenges faced by states like New Jersey and Illinois, and the risks associated with pension obligation bonds.

A state-by-state review of 2024 midyear issuance in the Southwest.

A state-by-state review of 2024 midyear issuance in the Northeast.

Issuers in the eight-state region sold $50.6 billion of bonds with Texas accounting for 65% of the volume.

At $1.8 billion, the tax-exempt and taxable deal is the largest on the calendar this week and it's the latest offering from the city since a $1.2 billion refunding issuance in July. 

As investors contemplate rate policy for the remainder of 2024, "there have been a few strategies from which to choose to boost yield — short positioning, curve extension and credit quality," noted Kim Olsan, senior fixed-income portfolio manager at NewSquare Capital.

The possibility of moving stalled housing bills forward combined with promises of down payment assistance is offering hope to housing advocates.

Loop Capital's Jim Reynolds was among the nine private and public entities that signed a pledge to help bring in more historically underutilized businesses on construction projects.

Pent-up demand, dwindling federal aid and lower interest rates led to a 32% increase in municipal issuance in the first half of 2024.

New sales of tax-exempt bonds in California have been gobbled up by buyers looking to shield income from the state's high taxes and to lock in yields.