Primary bond market

Issuance takes a bit of a breather due to the Juneteenth holiday and the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Barclays strategists said.

BlackRock strategists are "constructive" on munis for multiple reasons and think the current market environment presents itself as a buying opportunity, especially as issuance continues to be elevated and provides "ample ability" to source bonds in the primary market.

The bond panel approved $215 million in public facilities revenue bonds and $125 million in housing bonds.

A "lighter-than-anticipated CPI report" led to UST firmness, as it "quelled fears about tariff-related inflation and boosted enthusiasm that the Fed will cut rates in the next two or three meetings," said José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers.

The elevated new-issue market comes on the heels of one of the largest weeks of issuance.

"The broader themes from the demand perspective are that it's choppy and people are not necessarily jumping into high-yield munis with both feet," said First Eagle's John Miller.

However, the new-issue calendar may not be "absorbed as easily, given valuations have grown less compelling after this week's performance," said Birch Creek strategists.

Armed with higher ratings since its last sale four years ago, the city is set to return to the market with a bang. 

Chicago is facing myriad headwinds. But its GO bond sale last week was oversubscribed and city officials said that allowed them to lower yields in repricing.

The nonfarm payrolls report shows the economy is "hanging in there," though it is slowing, said Jeff MacDonald of Fiduciary Trust International.