Muni Commentary

    Housing Bubble 2.0

    Posted by Sue Childs on Aug 21, 2017 5:00:00 PM

     Given many recent positive economic indicators, one might conclude that we are well beyond the housing bubble that shocked the markets in 2008. College graduates from the class of 2017 are most likely settling down in their newly acquired jobs and, unlike many of their slightly older peers, living independently and free of the fear of Mom and/or Dad harping “Just get a job!”

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    Topics: Commentary

    July 2017 Geo Scores, Concerns About Wages and a Look at Home Ownership Rates

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Aug 2, 2017 5:02:00 PM

     This week we bring you the July 2017 DIVER Geo Scores and highlight a data point of concern – wages.  We also look at home ownership rates over the past quarter and year. As regular readers know, I have expressed ongoing concern over housing prices. Jane and Julie thought it would be interesting to test my concerns against home ownership rate data.

     DIVER Geo Scores are designed to quickly communicate the overall economic health of a selected geographic area on a scale of 0 to 10. The Geo Score reflects the relative economic well-being of the location and is available for all States, counties, and approximately 350 of the largest cities. Calculations are released monthly and are based on multiple, meaningful economic and demographic data from the employment, income and housing categories.

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    Topics: Commentary

    DIVER Geo Scores for June 2017 and Working Age Folk

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Jul 10, 2017 4:10:00 PM

     This week we bring you the June 2017 DIVER Geo Scores and a look at population data for the 18-64 age group, aka the “working age group.” The numbers for the “working age group” may surprise (or concern) you.

    DIVER Geo Scores are a measure of the overall economic health of a selected geographic area on a scale of 0 to 10. The Geo Score reflects the relative economic well-being of the location and is available for all States, counties, and 350 of the largest cities. Calculations are released monthly and are based on multiple, meaningful economic and demographic data from the employment, income and housing categories.

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    Topics: Financial and Demographic Trends Affecting the Mun, Geo Scores: The Changing Economic Health of US Mun, Commentary

    Leaks, Tweaks, and Infrastructure Week

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Jun 19, 2017 5:04:00 PM

     

    Last week, while everyone else was distracted by the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup and James Comey, the rest of us in Muniland were on the edge of our seats during President Trump’s “Infrastructure Week.” During the campaign, President Trump proposed a $1 trillion plan to repair the nation’s infrastructure. Five months into his presidency, and having as many major legislative achievements as Patrick Ewing has championship rings,[1] we thought “Infrastructure Week” would be a great chance for the President to offer more details on the one issue with bipartisan support in Washington these days.

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    Topics: Financial and Demographic Trends Affecting the Mun, Legislation, Politics and the Bond Market, Commentary

    DIVER Commentary: May 2017 Geo Scores

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Jun 5, 2017 4:06:00 PM

    This week we bring you the May 2017 DIVER Geo Scores and a look at State level GDP data.

    DIVER Geo Scores are designed to quickly communicate the overall economic health of a selected geographic area on a scale of 0 to 10. The Geo Score reflects the relative economic well-being of the location and is available for all States, counties, and approximately 350 of the largest cities. Calculations are released monthly and are based on multiple, meaningful economic and demographic data from the employment, income and housing categories.

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    Topics: Geo Scores: The Changing Economic Health of US Mun, Commentary

    April 2017 Geo Scores: Top and Bottom Movers

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on May 3, 2017 2:38:00 PM

    This week we bring you the April 2017 DIVER Geo Scores and takea look at our top and bottom movers in Geo Scores and how these locations have fared over the past two years. Depending on your feedback, this may become part of our monthly review.

    DIVER Geo Scores are designed to quickly communicate the overall economic health of a selected geographic area on a scale of 0 to 10. The Geo Score reflects the relative economic well-being of the location and is available for all States, counties, and approximately 350 of the largest cities. Calculations are released monthly and are based on multiple, meaningful economic and demographic data from the employment, income and housing categories.

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    Topics: Geo Scores: The Changing Economic Health of US Mun, Commentary

    Municipal Issuers: Continuing Disclosure Importance and Suggested Best Practices

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on May 1, 2017 4:46:00 PM

     

    This week we take a look at the importance of continuing disclosure for Issuers of municipal debt and suggest some best practices.

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    Topics: Government and Industry Regulatory News, Commentary

    Two Topic Commentary: Weekly Earnings - How Are Your States and Counties Stacking Up? And Pension Obligations and Liabilities

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Apr 25, 2017 5:52:00 PM

     This week we cover two topics – Weekly Earnings, looking at the haves and have nots, and Pension Obligations and Liabilities. Alex Pendolino guides us through the Weekly Earnings with insightful analysis. We then offer a few quotes and a link to a commentary prepared by John Mauldin.

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    Topics: Financial and Demographic Trends Affecting the Mun, Commentary

    March 2017 Geo Scores and a Closer Look at Housing Prices

    Posted by Gregg Bienstock on Apr 3, 2017 5:06:00 PM

    This week we bring you the March 2017 DIVER Geo Scores and take a look at housing at the State level. Given some of what we articulate below, expect to see a bit more on housing in the coming month.

     DIVER Geo Scores are designed to quickly communicate the overall economic health of a selected geographic area on a scale of 0 to 10. The Geo Score reflects the relative economic well-being of the location and is available for all States, counties, and approximately 350 of the largest cities. Calculations are released monthly and are based on multiple, meaningful economic and demographic data from the employment, income and housing categories.

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    Topics: Financial and Demographic Trends Affecting the Mun, Geo Scores: The Changing Economic Health of US Mun, Commentary

    Another Kind of March Madness

    Posted by Sue Childs on Mar 21, 2017 2:27:00 PM

     

    As March Madness 2017 predictions abounded, so too did predictions about the timing of the next increase in the Fed Funds rate and how many would take place over the course of 2017. The increase in the Fed Funds rate by 25bps on March 15 was of little surprise – less surprising, perhaps, than the eye-popping stats of Gonzaga’s ability to keep possession of the ball or some of the upsets!

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    Topics: Financial and Demographic Trends Affecting the Mun, Commentary