web
analytics
Quick Search Tags
No items found.
Smith's Research & Gradings
Volume: 
XXVIII
Issue: 
6
Author: 
Terence M. Smith
April 20, 2020

Smith's Research & Gradings

Q3 Ratings Upgrades and Downgrades

The High Grade Municipal Bond Portfolio managers basked in the warm sunshine of steady credit quality while high-yield municipal bond funds saw massive outflows.

Mark Paris, CIO, Head of Municipals at Invesco, hosted an investor call on March 30, 2020. Eddie Bernhardt, head of managed accounts joined him for the presentation.

Invesco purchased Rochester Funds last year and 2019 was a period of consolidation after the acquisition.  The newly combined entity has over $60 bln. in  Municipal Assets Under Management. Mr. Paris heads up a municipal bond team that includes 15 portfolio managers including Jim Phillips, Jack Connelly and Scott Cottier. Invesco's municipal credit research is lead by Mark Gilley, CFA (27 years of experience) and the team includes Angela Uttaro, Mark Stockwell, Mary Jane Minier, and Robert Bertucci.  The Quant Research & Portfolio Analytics are lead by Casey Ryan and Michal Milewski.

Invesco emphasized the demand for tax-exempt municipal bonds had experienced unprecedented growth.  The reasons for the record weekly inflows were due to a myriad of factors, starting with the Trump Tax-Reform's elimination of State and Local Tax Deductions. Falling interest rates and collapsing credit spreads contributed to a strong performance for municipal bond funds.

Take notice

Stay on top of the latest global news that can impact your investment strategy.

Smith’s Research & Gradings Supports President Trump’s New Approach to Federal Disaster Response

Smith’s Research & Gradings supports President Trump’s new approach to federal disaster response in Los Angeles and North Carolina. “The National Infrastructure Advisory Council’s (NIAC) draft report presented last December, recommends exploring the use of Federal Block Grants to States for emergency assistance. The sovereignty of States needs to be the focus during local emergency, which the President has so forcefully inculcated,” according to Terence Smith, founder of Smith’s Research & Gradings.

Negative Event Risk (-1)

Here Comes the Sun

Smith's is issuing an Event Risk for Solar Flares (+1) The Solar Cycle 25 reached its lowest level in 2020 and it has started climbing higher in 2021. Forecasts predict the Solar 25 Cycle will peak in 2025.

Big Bucks for Infrastructure

The $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which has garnered the support of the Biden Administration, calls for billions in funding for traditional infrastructure.

Subscribe Today to unlock insights that could impact you tomorrow!

With your monthly or yearly Subscription you will unlock online articles and have the ability to download the full PDF files for the publication.
SMITH'S RESEARCH & GRADINGS
$79.95 / Per Month
$850 / Year (Save 30%)
* Discounted Rates for Issuers and Governmental Entities

Smith's Research & Gradings focuses on the people, sectors and news that matter the most to you. Smith's analysis is an indispensable part of Wall Street and the world's capital markets. Our approach was inspired by the need for a consistent analytical approach across all asset classes.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOCTOR
$79.50 / Per Month
$850 / Year (Save 30%)
* Discounted Rates for Issuers and Governmental Entities

Let a subscription to The Global Economic Doctor provide you with access to sovereign news, analysis and insights. Concise and powerful, the Global Economic Doctor spans the globe, giving you a read on how today’s market developments and key players are impacting your business around the planet.