Munis

The eight-state region accounted for $38.5 billion in muni bond sales in the first half of 2023, with the lion's share coming from Texas.

New York deals dominated the top ranks of regional issuers in the first half of 2023 even as supply sank around the Northeast and around the country.

Ongoing strikes by actors and writers pose a risk for next year's Oscars ceremony, which generates significant revenue that helps pay off the bonds. 

Recent laws extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse victims to file civil claims, impacting California school districts and counties.

The Illinois Attorney General maintains it is unclear whether the state was even defrauded by the Wall Street banks that are accused of rate-rigging by a whistleblower.

A federal initiative, focusing on states, and eventually, larger municipalities and authorities, that places a premium on enhancing transparency, is fundamental to improving the fiscal health of state and local governments.

The top two municipal bond insurers wrapped $15.571 billion in the first half of 2023, a 12% decrease from the $17.689 billion of deals done in the first half of 2022, according to Refinitiv data. Insurance was up in Q2.

Only the top bond counsel retained its slot, while four firms were knocked out of the top 10.

Bondholders granted some breathing room to the speculative-grade polypropylene recycling project along the Ohio River, now reported to have entered production.

The annual survey shows a rising number of university leaders who are eying P3s for a range of services and infrastructure.

Texas State Bankshares has agreed to buy Estrada Hinojosa & Co., one of the nation's biggest municipal underwriting and advisory firms.

The Tennessee Valley Authority has $19 billion of outstanding bonds and provides power to 10 million people.

The 50-year concession will rebuild the aging Calcasieu Bridge, and impose the first tolls on Interstate 10.

While it's still relatively early to tell how much — if at all — the muni market will be impacted, Kara South, portfolio manager at GW&K Investment Management, said downgrades of certain municipal bonds are likely to follow.

The turnpike authority will now seek reapproval from the Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight before it can head to the municipal bond market.

Major bondholder Preston Hollow and the trustee for $86 million of debt sold for Mercy Iowa City in 2011 and 2018 pointed to default events.

July's total volume was $25.939 billion in 542 issues, down from $28.258 billion in 619 issues a year earlier, the smallest percentage drop in monthly issuance year-over-year in 2023, according to Refinitiv data.

The state-created agency has a plan to finally tap hitherto unused proceeds from a 2021 bond issue.

The second largest Texas city could be headed to a trifecta of triple-A ratings after Fitch revised the outlook on the city's AA-plus rating to positive.

"Yvette was everything a reporter should be — perpetually curious, tenacious, whip smart, and unafraid to ask the tough questions," said Mike Scarchilli, editor in chief of The Bond Buyer.