Heading into the Federal Open Market Committee meeting next week, a variety of economic data and trends are being closely monitored

The United States and other countries around the globe are experiencing slower growth, while trade tensions and political events continue to pose risks of recession. Meanwhile, interest rates on municipal bonds and other forms of debt remain at very low levels, and some economists believe they could go even lower.

As widely expected, the Fed cut rates another 25 bps last week. What was not so expected is what some are calling the “Great Repo Fiasco,” when early last week banks were unwilling or unable to lend on a collateralized basis, even with the potential of almost risk-free returns.

Muni volumes increase as issuers look to take advantage of low interest rates and we unpack the potentially disastrous cuts to Federal transportation grants looming at the end of the fiscal year.