Secondary bond market

Despite rising U.S. Treasuries, municipals are making gains and are in the black to start July.

The Investment Company Institute reported investors pulled $1.372 billion from muni bond mutual funds in the week ending June 29.

As investors shift the focus from inflation to recession concerns, fixed income markets, including munis, may regain some of the year's losses.

With the Fourth of July holiday shortening the week, investors will see a paltry $2.861 billion of new issues to kick off the second half of 2022.

Investors pulled more from municipal bond mutual funds, with Refinitiv Lipper reporting $1.3 billion of outflows, down from the $1.6 billion the week prior and bringing the total to $47 billion year-to-date.

The Investment Company Institute reported investors pulled $4.590 billion from muni bond mutual funds in the week ending June 22, down from $6.243 billion of outflows in the previous week.

A new-issue supply-focused buy-side had their sights on the $8 billion-plus flowing into the primary market this week, while municipal traders remained cautious, keeping an eye on bid-wanted lists in the secondary market.

A bearish market sentiment and elevated muni to UST ratios often represent a buy signal. Taxable equivalent yields are compelling for buy-and-hold investors, analysts say.

Municipals head into the final week of the first half of 2022 on more stable footing, but a cautious tone hangs over the market.

Refinitiv Lipper reported smaller outflows at $1.6 billion, down from the $5.6 billion the week prior. It brings the total outflows to $45.7 billion year-to-date.