Municipals Seesaw into the Summer
Key Points
• Fed decisions should drive market performance and sentiment
• Credit fundamentals support broad near-term stability
• Market yields provide an attractive entry point for long-term investors
Municipals encountered choppy markets during the second quarter, as investors weighed inflation implications and Fed tightening against “hard to ignore” yields on investment grade (IG) and high yield municipal (HYM) bonds, leading to mixed performance. The challenging market environment is unlikely to abate soon.
Policy actions and fluctuating market demand should influence the performance trajectory of IG and HYM bonds during the second half. We expect municipal investors to engage the market during periods of weakness, unlocking attractive long-term portfolio value. For liquidity mandates, absolute yields on the front end of the curve continue offering a meaningful advantage over traditional money market instruments. In the near term, municipal market returns should ebb and flow alongside Treasuries, with periodic directional overshoots in response to technical factors.
With summer underway, municipal participants will pay close attention to seasonal market forces that typically lead to price support, given the [usually] lower bond supply and reinvestment needs. However, combined fund outflows of around $75B YTD will likely test investors’ confidence should trends persist. We expect municipal market liquidity to normalize when Treasury rates show a more stable trading range, slowing investor redemptions and a return to net additions. Still, HYM bonds present good value to investors as the forced selling of longer-maturity bonds in response to inflation/rising rates has caused their nominal yields to increase more quickly than comparable Treasuries (chart 1). In our view, nominal yields in the municipal market provide potential performance tailwinds on a forward-looking basis.
Our constructive outlook for municipal credit reflects revenue outperformance and budget surpluses since 2021 for most issuers. Many state and local governments have bolstered reserves and prudently allocated robust federal aid, lessening their operational risk heading into the next budget cycle (chart 2). We continue monitoring select sectors while assessing the impact of financial market volatility on the health of public pension plans. Moderation in the economy will affect tax collections as spending and labor growth slow. We see opportunities to trade up credit quality at little cost as spreads remain somewhat compressed, especially for low-IG bonds.
Please Note: Past performance or performance based upon assumptions is no guarantee of future results.
Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Index returns do not reflect a deduction for fees or expenses.
Important Disclosures
Any opinions, projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements presented herein are valid as of the date of this document and are subject to change.
The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal or tax advice. This presentation is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned herein.
Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results and are based primarily upon a hypothetical set of assumptions applied to certain historical financial information. Certain information has been provided by third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified and its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.
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Investments in below-investment-grade debt securities, which are usually called “high-yield” or “junk bonds,” are typically in weaker financial health and such securities can be harder to value and sell, and their prices can be more volatile than more highly rated securities. While these securities generally have higher rates of interest, they also involve greater risk of default than do securities of a higher-quality rating.
There are inherent risks with equity investing. These risks include, but are not limited to, stock market, manager or investment style. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. Investing in international markets carries risks such as currency fluctuation, regulatory risks, and economic and political instability. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, as well as increased volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity. Emerging markets can have greater custodial and operational risks and less developed legal and accounting systems than developed markets.
There are inherent risks with fixed-income investing. These risks may include interest rate, call, credit, market, inflation, government policy, liquidity or junk bond. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall. This risk is heightened with investments in longer-duration fixed-income securities and during periods when prevailing interest rates are low or negative. The yields and market values of municipal securities may be more affected by changes in tax rates and policies than similar income-bearing taxable securities. Certain investors’ incomes may be subject to the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and taxable gains are also possible. Investments in below-investment-grade debt securities, which are usually called “high yield” or “junk bonds,” are typically in weaker financial health and such securities can be harder to value and sell, and their prices can be more volatile than more highly rated securities. While these securities generally have higher rates of interest, they also involve greater risk of default than do securities of a higher-quality rating.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met, and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
Indices are unmanaged, and one cannot invest directly in an index. Index returns do not reflect a deduction for fees or expenses.
Alternative investments are speculative, entail substantial risks, offer limited or no liquidity and are not suitable for all investors. These investments have limited transparency to the funds’ investments and may involve leverage which magnifies both losses and gains, including the risk of loss of the entire investment. Alternative investments have varying and lengthy lockup provisions.
This material is available to advisory and sub-advised clients, as well as financial professionals working with City National Rochdale, a registered investment advisor and a wholly-owned subsidiary of City National Bank. City National Bank provides investment management services through its sub-advisory relationship with City National Rochdale.
Non-deposit investment Products are: • not FDIC insured • not Bank guaranteed • may lose value
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