Securitization

The Fed will help the muni market navigate the short-term pain caused by coronavirus via direct purchases of bonds on the short end. However, the Fed will effectively hand off the responsibility to choose winners and losers to state officials, a move the market generally greeted positively.

Christopher Philips, CFA, head of Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services, discusses the importance of asset allocation during uncertain times as the coronavirus hits investors’ portfolios. He talks about looking at the fundamentals while distancing from the day-to-day value fluctuations. John Hallacy hosts this podcast, which was recorded March 20.

The market appears to be moving toward some semblance of normal conditions as the new-issue pricings and moderating bid volume create a more stable tone.

Tax-exempt and taxable deals priced as dealers opened up their balance sheets to new issues while the market still awaits word from the Fed on coronavirus-led purchase programs.

The state's ratings are low investment grade, but the secondary market is pricing its bonds as high-yield.

With Fed purchases on short end, more deals are showing up on the calendar and this week may become the testing ground for reopening the primary as participants gauge volatility and rates.

The coronavirus has ravaged nerves worldwide and spread its gloom into the financial sector. The U.S. municipal bond market is slipping into park from neutral as most issuers and underwriters await a better day.

There will be more queasiness ahead of any calm in municipals as adjustments to the coronavirus-induced climate continue to test the market’s resolve.

Forced selling continues and credit spreads are widening as much as 200 basis points in spots making for a large bid-ask disconnect in the market.

Coronavirus-led fears are leading investors, particularly retail, to cash once again amid uncertainty surrounding how much and what maturities of municipal bonds the Fed will purchase once its program begins.

The primary market remained mostly on the sidelines with issuers slow to jump back into coronavirus-driven volatility while also awaiting Fed engagement.

The CARES Act gives the Federal Reserve and Treasury up to 10 days to begin purchasing municipal securities in the secondary market.

A more measured tone settled in on Monday as new deals begin to price in a coronavirus-weary marketplace. Municipal credit is beginning to come into focus.

The municipal bond market is poised to begin digesting larger primary issuance in the coming week after a massive rally in recent days.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the next package will make up for shortcomings that haven’t been addressed such as the insufficient aid to state and local governments.

Demonstrating compliance with pricing and supervision rules has been challenging in the COVID-19-influenced market.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., pledged Thursday the massive spending bill would pass on a voice vote even though some objections were expected during a Friday morning vote.

Benchmark yields fell another 50 to 60 basis points, dropping them more than 1.5% in just four days. Meanwhile, a $450 million taxable new-issue came to market and was eight times oversubscribed.

With outflows occurring, Eric Kazatsky, muni strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, maintains that muni appetite will vary directly with the credit hits that will be sustained in this environment. In some ways, he sees a return to pricing for the risk and the fundamentals. Taxable munis and ESG bonds will continue to gain in popularity. The future depends on the level of fiscal support in order to emerge from the crisis. John Hallacy hosts. Taped two weeks ago

Municipal benchmark yields were lowered by 60 to 80 basis points across the curve. Some trades pointed to nearly a 1% bump on short-term paper while state and local governments grapple with downgrades and revenue shortfalls.