Mortgages

With better-than-expected payrolls, economists still caution full recovery is a ways away. Muni participants are closely following how the Fed's action — or inaction — will affect the municipal market going forward.

Economists are bracing for another volatile monthly jobs report and some forecasters are tweaking their models ahead of Friday's data.

It could take the nation, heavily influenced by New York and California, 18 months to return to full employment, Fitch Ratings said.

Strong technicals have been the theme, and with federal aid and better-than-expected tax receipts coming in, issuers are not tapping the market as much as investors would hope.

A disappointing jobs report gives credence to the Federal Reserve’s concern about slack in the labor market.

Refinitiv Lipper reported another week of inflows at $1.64 billion, with $630 million headed into to high-yield. Benchmark yields rose as much as four basis points following weaker U.S. Treasuries, resistance to ultra-low yields.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains below the national unemployment rate of 6.0%.

The three-pronged Local Infrastructure Financing Tools Act was introduced Friday by Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala.

He starts next month a the new president and CEO of the Utah Housing Corp.

Yields jumped as much as 10 basis points as new deals saw some concessions as munis played catch up to the run-up in U.S. Treasury rates after the 10-year hit 1.75% mid-session. Refinitiv Lipper reports nearly $1.3 billion of inflows.

With the reset in yields in the rear view, valuations — especially relative to Treasury — will likely support continued robust demand.

Municipal bond mutual funds took notice of rate movements with Refinitiv Lipper reporting $37 million of inflows after 15 weeks of multi-billion inflows, the lowest since Dec. 2. High-yield funds took a big hit with $330 million of outflows.

Like so many other businesses, Credit Karma was not spared by the pandemic and its rippling effects on the economy. Their business was prone to the same macro conditions, particularly the tightening of lending standards and credit limits. Join Paul Centopani, National Mortgage News' reporter and Andy Taylor, Credit Karma's General Manager of Home & Mortgage as they discuss how FinTechs can pivot to adapt to the new normal.

Transportation officials weigh the potential and pitfalls of this public-private development mode amid a financial squeeze during the coronavirus.

The January employment report headline number disappointed while stimulus news lifted equities and U.S. Treasuries rose on both counts. Municipals ignored those moves ahead of another week of less-than-ample supply.

The coronavirus emergency spending bill enacted by Congress in December included a provision enhancing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit so it’s a true 4%.

It is most certainly an issuers' market as rates are low, credit spreads continue to tighten, money pours into municipal bond mutual funds at record levels and a net negative supply of more than $11 billion.

New issues priced with ease with high-grade issuers tight to triple-A benchmarks. It was the first time the municipal yield curve saw such noticeable movement, following little changed secondary activity for nearly the past two weeks.

A 'perpetual calm' continues to fall over the municipal market as inflows into municipal funds, combined with the shortage of traditional tax-exempt supply, is directing most aspects of daily market activity.

While Florida has gained jobs for eight straight months, Fitch warns it could take up to four years for the travel, leisure and hospitality sectors to recover, areas that play an important role in the Sunshine State's economy.