Risky Munis Shrug Off Recession in Biggest Rally Since 2009

  • High-yield muni bonds have surged 7.8% since start of April
  • Federal Reserve’s muni lending program improved sentiment

Construction in Detroit.

Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg
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To judge by the municipal junk-bond market, it would seem like the economic collapse is already over.

High-yield state and local government debt, the most susceptible to defaulting during a sustained slowdown, have returned 7.8% since April 1, putting them on track for the biggest quarterly jump since the end of the Great Recession in 2009.