The volatility in US municipal bond yields in November revived questions about the financial health of states and cities. The annualized yield on the Bond Buyer index of 40 long-term muni bonds nationwide reached a 2010 high of 5.51% on November 17.
Against the background of state deficits, swings in muni bond yields invariably grab headlines. In a survey of about 100 municipal industry participants by RBC Capital Markets at the end of October, nearly half said they expected another five years or more would pass before state and local government revenues returned to pre-crisis levels.
As reported in Euromoney in September (Judgement day nears for the benighted states), US states started the 2010 fiscal year facing $192 billion in deficits.
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