Primary bond market

Municipal investors are more focused on the final new-issues coming down the pike and repositioning books as 2024 heads to a close. ICI reported another week of inflows into municipal bond mutual funds.

"With strong demand, rate cuts and favorable technicals, the muni market — outside of an unexpected shock — is set up to perform well over the next couple of months," said Daryl Clements, a municipal portfolio manager at AllianceBernstein.

Bond Buyer senior reporter Keeley Webster hosted a wide-ranging discussion on the state's fall bond slate, housing, and second-term priorities with California Treasurer Fiona Ma and Deputy Treasurer of Public Finance John Sheldon.

Munis are in the black so far this month, with the Bloomberg Municipal Index at +0.33% in December and +2.88% year-to-date, the high-yield index is at +0.27% in December and returning 8.41% in 2024, while taxable munis are returning 0.43% so far this month and 4.58% in 2024.

Connecticut is poised to ramp up transportation borrowing, after years of consistently issuing less debt than it had the capacity and authority to sell.

Investors will be greeted with a diverse new-issue slate the week of Dec. 9, led by bellwether names. If all the deals price, 2024's total should break 2020's record by the end of the week. Despite rich valuations, demand has remained strong as the year winds down.

High-yield municipal bond funds saw inflows of $534.1 million compared to $300.6 million compared the previous week, per LSEG Lipper data.

"This matter is now under active investigation by federal authorities and impacted financial institutions, who are coordinating with the White Lake Township Police Department," said Daniel Keller, chief of police, in a statement.

Technicals could "break down" if there is a potential decline in risk assets or rising unemployment, particularly in white-collar jobs, said Jeff Timlin, a managing partner at Sage Advisory.

Blackstone Inc. is refinancing tax-exempt debt for a 76-story residential tower in downtown Manhattan designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.