Bonds

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said the U.S. central bank is close to wrapping up its aggressive tightening campaign if the economy evolves as expected. “Regardless of the decision made at our next meeting, if the economy evolves as anticipated, in my view, we are likely near or at a holding point

Recent Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions signal that regulators are widening their net to charge more types of municipal market participants as so-called gatekeepers against misconduct. So said panelists Thursday at the National Association of Bond Lawyer’s annual conference in Chicago. The SEC’s enforcement division and Public Finance Abuse Unit activities are “reaching all

Federal Reserve policy makers risk slamming the brakes too hard on the economy by reacting aggressively to each data point that comes in, said Mohamed El-Erian, the chief economic adviser at Allianz SE. They should, he said, establish a longer-term vision for where interest-rate policy is heading. “You cannot drive a car without some understanding

Maine is one step closer to realizing ambitions of a native offshore wind energy industry. The federal Bureau of Ocean Management on Thursday announced the findings of a study carried out in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identifying 3.5 million square acres in the Gulf of Maine they believe to be suitable

Municipals took a breather Friday and were little changed ahead of a sizable new-issue calendar while underperforming a better U.S. Treasury market. Equities were in the red to close the session. Triple-A yields barely budged while USTs saw yields fall nine to 11 basis points on bonds in the three- to seven-year maturities and smaller

A California-based company’s plan to sell up to $500 million of tax-exempt environmental improvement revenue bonds through the Indiana Finance Authority to build a garbage-to-jet fuel facility in Gary is on hold after the company’s bonds for a similar plant in Nevada went into default. Pleasanton, California-based Fulcrum BioEnergy sold about $290 million of environmental

Municipals weakened further Thursday as outflows from muni mutual funds lessened, while short-term U.S. Treasury yields fell after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested central bankers could raise rates again, but not at the upcoming meeting. Equities sold off. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Thursday was at 71%, the three-year was at 71%, the five-year at 70%,

The National Association of Bond Lawyers intends to play a key role in the implementation of the Financial Data Transparency Act, a contentious issue that’s been bedeviling the muni community since it was first proposed.  “We are also putting together a taskforce to serve alongside our industry partners and help craft market-wide messaging around the

Municipals faced more pressure Wednesday and two billion-dollar-plus deals for Connecticut and the New York City Transitional Finance Authority saw yields rise up to 12 to 13 basis points from Tuesday’s retail pricings while the third consecutive week of $2 billion plus outflows were reported. U.S. Treasuries saw more losses and equities sold off. Triple-A

M. Elizabeth Walker and Jerimi J. Ullom have joined law firm Barnes & Thornburg’s Indianapolis office as healthcare and public finance partners. The pair moved over from national healthcare-focused Hall Render after more than 15 years there, according to Barnes & Thornburg. “Elizabeth and Jerimi’s legal prowess in the nonprofit healthcare financing arena is a

Amid a busy new-issue day, munis could not help but follow a U.S. Treasury selloff that was led by stronger economic data, reaffirming that rates will remain higher for longer. Equities were down late in the session. “The ‘higher for longer’ interest rate narrative continues to have a significant impact on all fixed income markets,”

Connor Crews has rejoined the McGuireWoods public finance team in Raleigh after teaching for more than three years at the University of North Carolina’s School of Government. Crews will work on all aspects of public finance transactions, including governmental financings and financings for non-profit organizations. During his tenure at UNC, he taught local and state

Municipals were weaker Monday, rising in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries. Equities rallied. Triple-A benchmarks were cut up three to eight basis points, depending on the scale, while UST yields were up four to nine near the close. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Monday was at 70%, the three-year was at 70%, the five-year at 71%, the

New York state tax collections from mobile sports betting totaled $727.4 million in fiscal 2022-2023, according to a report from the state comptroller’s office. “Gaming has significantly expanded in the state in the last several years,” Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Wednesday. “With the ease and 24/7 availability of mobile betting apps, problem gambling and addiction

Cities and states should “keep calm and issue bonds” despite sticker shock from rising interest rates and a volatile municipal bond market. That was the message from panelists speaking Thursday at the Government Finance Officers Association’s annual MiniMuni event, a three-day online event for issuers. The rise in rates “makes our jobs as debt managers

The U.S. Virgin Islands government is concerned that more than $10 billion of a possible $15 billion in federal hurricane reconstruction aid may be in jeopardy, with possible impacts on the islands’ economy. The islands’ government and Water and Power Authority have more than $2 billion in bonds outstanding. Fitch Ratings rates the WAPA bonds

The last time the triple-A 30-year muni was consistently over 4%, Barack Obama was president, lawmakers were squabbling over whether to raise the debt ceiling, cut spending and keep the federal government open, which eventually resulted in a downgrade of the United State’s triple-A rating by S&P Global Ratings. While there is a different administration,

Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have agreed to work together to develop offshore wind energy in a joint venture officials say will offset rising costs that threaten the burgeoning industry’s potential. The multi-state coalition will be the first of its kind, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in a joint statement with Rhode Island Gov. Dan

Municipals were little changed Friday as the market took a breather ahead of a one of the largest new-issue calendars of the year with bellwether names coming in four deals that total over $1 billion each. U.S. Treasuries returned to a flight-to-safety bid and made gains while equities closed the week mixed. The new-issue muni

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a civil rights investigation into Alabama’s Department of Environmental Management after reviewing complaints of discrimination in the distribution of federal funds. In a letter addressed to ADEM Director Lance Lefluer, the EPA said it would launch a probe into state policy concerning distributions from a federally backed sewage