Municipal bond issuers are selling debt at a faster pace than they were at this time last year, even though COVID-19 is still hampering state and local governments. At the halfway point of 2020, the top muni issuers have accounted for $`188.58 billion in 5,105 transactions, compared to the $165.18 billion over 4,654 deals in the same time period of 2019.
Four of the top 10 issuers did not sell any bonds in the second quarter, including two of the top four.
Nashville, Tennessee, voters approved a $2 billion bond measure, while Lancaster County, South Carolina, and Cary, North Carolina, opposed the bond referendums.
Despite the post-election selloff, inflows continued this week as LSEG Lipper reported investors added $1.263 billion to municipal bond mutual funds for the week ending Wednesday, compared to $658.5 million of inflows the prior week. High-yield inflows returned.
The turnpike plans to sell $1 billion of revenue bonds in 2025's first quarter to continue funding for an expansion project now estimated to cost $8.2 billion.
States, cities, trade groups look toward uncertain future
The Bond Buyer's Deal of the Year awards will mark the 23rd year it has recognized outstanding achievement in municipal finance. The event, to be held Dec. 3 in New York City, will also include the presentation of the Freda Johnson Awards for Trailblazing Women in Public Finance.
Unless the state government makes changes to taxes or spending, there will be deficits of $587 million to more than $800 million starting in the next fiscal year.
