Municipal bond funds

Market data shows the trading gap between A-rated and BBB-rated corporate bonds has widened in volume.

Municipals were mixed at midday as Treasury bonds weakened while the last of the week’s supply trickled into the primary market.

Municipals look somewhat less attractive following last week’s rally, but should maintain a firm tone through year-end, an analyst said.

Fidelity’s money-market assets grew to $629 billion as of Oct. 31, according to Crane Data.

Municipal bonds closed out the week stronger ahead of a hefty new issue slate.

As the end of the year draws near, the municipal bond market will see lots of negotiated deals on next week’s new issue calendar.

Municipal bonds rallied Thursday as yields fell as much as six basis points in spots.

Municipal bonds finished stronger on Friday ahead of the upcoming $9 billion new issue calendar.

Municipal bond investors will get to feast on a big new issue calendar, led by an almost $2 billion airport deal coming out of Chicago.

Peter Hayes, head of municipals at BlackRock, says liquidity is sound and muni funds can cope with outflows. He says that among the larger factors in their daily decision-making is the status of an issuers’ pension and OPEB liabilities along with bond structure. John Hallacy is host.