Bonds

Municipals were largely unchanged as the market digested another larger primary slate while U.S. Treasuries rallied after the release of economic data showed inflation has eased. Equities ended mixed. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York priced and repriced its $1 billion-plus school revenue bond deal for institutions with yields falling on the

Several members of Congress introduced a bill to permanently raise the rum cover rate supporting some U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico bonds. The rum cover, a tax on rum sold in the 50 states, provides a revenue stream supporting USVI matching fund bonds and Puerto Rico Infrastructure Finance Authority rum bonds. The rate had

New Jersey Department of Transportation will spend $4.5 billion on capital improvements in the new fiscal year. Officials released the department’s fiscal ’24 capital financing plan on Tuesday. It leans on a mix of state and federal funding to bankroll repairs and upgrades to transportation networks across New Jersey. “This capital program reflects the need

Massachusetts state senators intend to leave Gov. Maura Healey’s $748 billion tax cut package intact in their redrafted budget proposal despite falling state revenues. The fate of Healey’s tax-relief plan, which features a mix of tax rate cuts and policy changes including an expanded child and family tax credit, and was a centerpiece of her

Municipals were little changed to start the week, while U.S. Treasuries extended their selloff and equities ended mixed. Municipal yields were steady while UST yields rose eight to 10 basis points across the curve. Ratios fell slightly as a result. The two-year muni-Treasury ratio Monday was at 66%, the three-year at 66%, the five-year at

Municipals were steady to close out the week, while U.S. Treasuries sold off on the heels of a stronger-than-expected jobs report. Equities rallied. Stronger-than-expected hiring and wage growth data on Friday caused “[UST] bond yields to climb while equities are advancing because the data is helping alleviate concerns of a potential recession,” said José Torres,

Highland Park, Michigan, would get a $20 million lifeline under an appropriation Senate Democrats put in their version of the state budget to help pay down a $24 million water and sewer debt the city has warned could drive it into bankruptcy. The city just north of Detroit owes the Great Lakes Water Authority $24

The Seattle region’s Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority has racked up another series of low-interest loans from the federal government, totaling $327 million. So far, Sound Transit, a light rail, commuter rail and express bus service serving the Seattle metropolitan region, is the largest beneficiary of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau,

New Jersey faces the uncertain economic conditions ahead with historic reserves, a trimmed-down debt profile, and a slew of upgrades from the major bond rating agencies. The state has received six upgrades in a little over a year, including four in April alone, one from each of the four major rating agencies. The Kroll Bond

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said he thinks the U.S. central bank can still achieve a soft landing, with inflation returning to the Fed’s 2% target without triggering a significant downturn. “Yes, the economy could go into recession, but that’s not the base case,” Bullard told the Economic Club of Minneapolis

Wells Fargo’s role as senior manager in a potential $500 million bond sale for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is under review after the bank landed on the state treasurer’s list of companies banned from government contracts.  The 13 financial institutions on the list released Wednesday were determined to be boycotting the oil and gas industry

Municipals improved Thursday while outflows from municipal bond mutual funds rose to more than $800 million. U.S. Treasuries were better on bonds five years and in and equities ended down as more news of troubled regional banks and the continued debt ceiling standoff in Washington hangs over markets. Triple-A benchmarks were firmer, with yields falling

Illinois lawmakers are being urged to slow down as they consider pension mandates for Chicago that Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration warns could add $3 billion to the city’s long-term payment tab for its firefighters’ fund. The legislation raises benefits for employees hired beginning in 2011 when a Tier 2 pension system was established. Pension experts

Looking at the market’s choppiness and heavy supply, Columbus decided last week to push of its new money and refunding to this week, but little did officials know that the U.S. Treasury would throw a curve ball by suspending the sale of State and Local Government Series securities. City Auditor Megan Kilgore said the city’s

U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain denied Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority bondholders’ request she certify their appeal of her decision they have no lien on the bankrupt authority’s revenues. While bondholders could continue their appeal, without Swain’s certification it is less likely to be heard by the appeals court, said Puerto Rico Attorney

The Virginia Public School Authority plans to issue $63.2 million of School Technology and Security Notes to support the state’s capital program for school rehabilitation. The five-year, tax-exempt Series XI notes are expected to be issued by competitive sale in denominations of $5,000 on or around May 9, according to the authority. The school authority anticipates

Chicago will tap $53 million of a 2021 budget surplus to fund the ongoing needs of asylum seekers that have flowed into the city from Texas. The city has received some state and federal funding but it falls far short of what’s needed to address the health, food, and housing needs of migrants that Texas

Las Vegas, Nevada, had its issuer default rating upgraded to AA from AA-minus by Fitch Ratings, which cited favorable visitor trends, healthier-than-anticipated revenues and federal aid. A stable ratings outlook has been assigned. The upgrade affects the series 2004 limited tax general obligation bonds issued by the Las Vegas Special Improvement District. The special improvement

Kroll Bond Rating Agency upgraded the state of New Jersey’s general obligation bonds to A-plus from A. The move Monday by KBRA followed upgrades from Moody’s Investor Service, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings and was the fourth time in less than a month that a major rating agency raised the state’s credit rating. KBRA

As it approaches a deadline on a state-backed incentive package, electric automaker Rivian faces fresh legal headaches in its plans for a $5 billion production plant in rural Georgia. A deal negotiated between Rivian, the Georgia Economic Development Commission, and the Joint Development Authority for Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties, with the blessing of