Sell side

Issuers in the nine-state Far West region sold $34.6 billion of municipal bonds in 2019's first six months.

Market participants are questioning IFS' future and how a rogue trader engaged in unsupervised trades.

Two Virgin Trains USA deals from Florida helped push the region's volume up 9.8% over last year, making it one of only two regions to sell more bonds.

Municipal bond issuers in the Midwest recorded a healthy year-over-year volume gain, in contrast to flat nationwide numbers.

Refundings rebounded in the first half of 2019, but total bond volume across the Southwest fell to a six-year low.

Public facilities and electric power were the sectors with the biggest declines.

Fitch Ratings upgraded California general obligation bonds to AA from AA-minus, the state's first upgrade in three years.

Municipal bond issuers in the Northeast sold $44.9 billion of municipal bonds in the first half of 2019, down 7% compared to the first half of 2018.

The $450 million in bond-financed improvements are part of negotiations to extend the contract of the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

The deal will end the family owned Baum's 91-year run in the municipal bond business.