Primary bond market

Outflows continue with the Investment Company Institute reporting $6.167 billion pulled from muni bond mutual funds in the week ending May 4, up from $5.371 billion of outflows in the previous week. 

New York Dormitory Authority school bonds and Northwell Health priced and upsized, while Wisconsin and Oregon offered general obligation bonds. Analysts say municipal curves are oversold, creating a buying opportunity.

How technology, data and transparency can aid in rough markets. Lynne Funk talks with Stephanie Sparvero of Bloomberg BVAL. (21 minutes)

Despite outsized volatility and liquidity challenges ahead, the possibility of relief for munis is not too far off, analysts say, but USTs lead the way for exempts.

Despite the pandemic, operating revenues increased 7.6% from 2019 to 2020 and 8.25% from 2020 to 2021.

Munis again outperformed U.S. Treasuries. Participants note that municipal to Treasury ratios and nominal yield levels are “extremely attractive,” which is generating some renewed interest among the retail crowd.

Shorter-dated and high-yield credit will be more likely to succeed in the current volatile environment.

Investors pulled more from municipal bond mutual funds in the latest week, with Refinitiv Lipper reporting $2.669 billion of outflows, though down from $2.875 billion of outflows in the previous week.

Illinois' latest upgrade is its fourth over the last year and moves its general obligation rating three notches away from the cusp of junk, where it once sat.

Outflows continue with the Investment Company Institute reporting $5.371 billion pulled from muni bond mutual funds in the week ending April 27. Exchange-traded funds saw inflows at $1 billion.