Primary bond market

Munis firmed Friday, only the second time in December they weren't flat, and more than a few participants are waiting on yields to rise before getting involved, particularly given the rich muni/treasury ratios and low absolute yields.

Pinned into a corner from the economic effects of COVID-19, the mass transit agency tapped its remaining amount available through the Municipal Liquidity Facility, which expires at year's end.

Wisconsin will use new pools for negotiated transactions starting next year

Bid list volume is trending higher into the end of the year, but its share as measured against overall high demand does not pose much of a threat, analysts say. Refinitiv Lipper reports $992 million of inflows.

The largest tranche of the deal, $706 million with a 5% coupon in 2047, yielded 4.15%, a 275 basis point spread over triple-A paper.

COVID-19 brought the primary to a standstill in March and April. The municipal market is now set to eclipse $450 billion of issuance in 2020, a record.

The state will use debt service savings from the refunding side of the deal for near-term budget relief; the deal includes its first taxable refunding bonds.

Muni benchmarks were steady while new deals re-priced to lower yields in a tale of two markets. ICI reported more inflows.

Strong technicals, low supply, yield-seekers keep munis outperforming.

The primary's diversity of credits and size relative to November has grown, but it is just not enough to push yields higher as redemptions flood the market. Some analysts still say a mild correction at least is due.