MMIT News and Press, IQ MacKay Municipal Intermediate From 08/11/23

2023-08-11 08:00:00 ET Summary On August 1st, Fitch downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+. Current ratings of the U.S. now stand at AAA by Moody’s, AA+ by S&P (who downgraded the U.S. in 2011), and Fitch at AA+. The federal government’s strengths ...

2023-08-08 01:48:00 ET Summary Continued economic growth despite the rate hikes led to a resumption of growth in the stock market. The pace of downtown recovery is not following a one-size-fits-all formula. The majority of muni bonds in the Moody's study have an average rating...

2023-08-01 04:58:00 ET Summary In the second half of 2023, investors will likely face a theme of “resistance,” with equity valuations elevated, earnings facing headwinds and the Fed trying to cool off the job market. By 2024, we think resistance will give way to “...

2023-07-25 04:41:00 ET Summary Bottom-up municipal research can often help find clarity amid negative sector news. More broadly, we remain constructive on municipal credit across the U.S., given the sector’s overall financial strength and its ability to withstand an economi...

2023-07-22 05:13:00 ET Summary The Federal Reserve has tightened monetary policy significantly over the first half of this year, with a high likelihood of another 25-basis-point hike in the federal funds rate at the end of July. Until now, market agents have mostly ignored politic...

2023-07-22 03:05:00 ET Summary Overall muni markets are off to a pretty strong start, returning 2.7% roughly year to date. As the Fed continues to enter into the late stages of their tightening cycle, how should investors think about duration positioning in today’s environm...

2023-07-15 03:35:00 ET Summary In a slowing economy, municipal bonds may be an attractive investment for the 3 reasons outlined. Municipal bonds tend to have higher credit ratings compared to corporate bonds. Most state and local governments have benefited from strong fiscal c...

2023-07-13 03:10:00 ET Summary With the highest yields in years, the muni bond market looks increasingly attractive. After the worst showing in four decades in 2022, the muni market regained some ground in 2023. There was some chop along the way, but the Bloomberg Municipal Bo...

2023-07-12 06:00:00 ET Summary Municipal bonds posted positive absolute and relative performance in June. Modest primary and secondary supply was outpaced by improved demand. While July has historically been a top-performing month, we maintain some near-term caution. ...

2023-07-07 19:30:00 ET Summary Look around, look almost anywhere, and the economic data is getting painful. You can start with the monthly ADP report. The ADP report stated that 497,000 new jobs were created in June. This was far past expectations, with the consensus view being ar...