Bonds

Bondholders and insurers of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority revenue bonds are defending what they say is their lien on the authority’s revenues. The parties filed a 73-page defense Monday in an adversary complaint in the PREPA bankruptcy on the lien issue. Their defense responds to an Oversight Board complaint submitted Oct. 3 that said

States and localities would be required to implement greenhouse gas emissions performance measures under a proposed federal rule that’s sparked opposition from issuer groups and Republican senators. The proposed rule from the Federal Highway Administration would require state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to establish greenhouse gas emissions targets and develop a method

Municipals were little changed Tuesday amid a multi-billion-dollar large new-issue day with various credit offerings, while U.S. Treasuries improved slightly and equities ended up. Triple-A curves were a touch firmer in spots as secondary trading took a backseat to the larger primary activity with Connecticut general obligation bonds, CommonSpirit healthcare and several competitive issues led

Baker Tilly US LLP joined the ranks of firms with an ability to offer an independent verification for a “certified climate bond” label on debt.  The approved verifier status allows for the Chicago-based accounting firm that offers municipal advisory services to assign the label to bonds and other debt instruments based on a review of

Munis were slightly better to kick off the week, while U.S. Treasuries were firmer 10 years and in and equities rallied. Municipal triple-A yields fell one to three basis points Monday while UST saw the 10- and 30-year end the session just above 4%. “Municipal bond yields decoupled from the Treasury market last week, ending basically

The outlook on Hawaii’s Aa2 rating was lowered to stable from positive by Moody’s Investors Service ahead of an $800 million taxable general obligation bond deal. The outlook revision “reflects our expectation that given its significant tourism industry, lagging demographic trends, and already high cost of living, Hawaii is vulnerable to high inflation and potentially

CommonSpirit Health added disclosure of a ransomware attack to its offering statements this week as the nation’s largest not-for-profit system prepares to enter the market with a $1.5 billion transaction, underscoring the acute threats posed to borrowers across the municipal spectrum. The Chicago-based Catholic system created through the 2019 merger of Catholic Health Initiatives and

Rhode Island plans to price $227 million of general obligation debt Tuesday in a deal that underscores the state’s capital commitment to education. The competitive deal will price in two tranches: a $162.4 million tax-exempt Series A and $60.3 million federally taxable Series B. The bonds carry the AA rating of Fitch Ratings, Aa2 from

Municipals were little changed Friday, largely ignoring a weaker U.S. Treasury market, ahead of a larger new-issue calendar that features several billion-dollar state general obligation deals. U.S. Treasury yields rose, pushing them to multiyear highs. The two-year closed above 4.5% and the 10-year eclipsed 4%. Equities ended down on continued concerns over inflation. Muni-UST ratios

An agreement among the Puerto Rico Oversight Board and the local government in the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority bankruptcy leaves the latter with moderate power in the bankruptcy process, observers say. The board, the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority, and the PREPA bond trustee U.S. Bank National Association filed the agreement,

Bancroft Capital is beefing up its Dallas-based municipal bond team with the hiring of two individuals with extensive market experience. The certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business, which specializes in institutional brokerage and capital markets services, announced the addition of Alix Cethoute as director of municipal underwriting and Jack Logan as director of municipal sales. “Not

Maryland Heights, Missouri, forwarded the funds needed to cover a delinquent debt service payment for revenue bonds issued for its community ice arena, but not before triggering a two-notch downgrade that sent its certificates of participation to junk.    The Centene Community Ice Center, which serves as the practice facility for the National Hockey League’s

Bankruptcy Judge Laura Taylor Swain approved the Plan of Adjustment for the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority, reducing its debts by 80% and saving it more than $3 billion in debt service payments.   Swain approved the HTA debt plan on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Swain overruled any prior

Moody’s Investors Service raised its outlook on Ohio’s Aa1 rating to positive, citing the state’s strides in branching out into new economic arenas that could bolster lagging growth and weak demographic trends. Tuesday’s action came one month after Fitch Ratings lifted the state’s rating to AAA and on the same day Gov. Mike DeWine announced

Municipals were firmer in secondary trading Wednesday as the largest deal of the week, a $700 million offering from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, took focus in the primary. U.S. Treasuries made gains and equities ended mixed after the Federal Open Market Committee minutes signaled continued tightening. “The Fed Minutes showed tightening will continue even

S&P Global Ratings lifted its rating outlook for Massachusetts’ AA-rated general obligation bond debt to positive from stable, citing progress on several long-term fiscal obstacles. The state’s robust economic recovery from the early pandemic led to larger-than-expected tax hauls in 2021 and 2022, funds S&P said Fridaywere used to pay down billions in debt and

The Washington and Oregon governors and the premier of Canada’s British Columbia province have signed a pact joining with California Gov. Gavin Newsom in setting environmental mandates that encourage electric vehicle use, and pledging dollars to investing in EV infrastructure. Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and British Columbia Premier John Horgan

In the age of great resignation, demographic shifts, population loss, and retiring workforce, how is the muni industry planning to face the talent challenge and continue growth? Our panelists will examine some of the strategies they employ to attract and retain talent as well as how they continue to focus their efforts on having diverse

The city of Trenton has found itself in hot water with the state of New Jersey once again. Following a brush with default in August that prompted a state response, a group of local legislators announced on Monday that New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection planned for a limited but “imminent” intervention of its troubled

Municipals were a touch weaker out long to close out the week while U.S. Treasuries posted losses and equities sold off after hotter-than-expected jobs data. Municipal to UST ratios again fell on the day’s moves. The three-year on Thursday was at 69%, the five-year was at 73%, the 10-year at 82% and the 30-year at