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Top 5 Muni Market Insights 2025: Mid-Year Update

Explore how elevated yields, durable tax-exempt income, and compelling relative value position municipals for meaningful allocations in the second half of 2025.

Read Top 5 Insights
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Insights

Insights

Municipal Insights

Get insight into the highly fragmented, complex, and inefficient municipal bond market from the seasoned, active investors at MacKay Municipal Managers. Watch the latest videos and listen and subscribe to our Muni 360 podcast to hear the team’s in-depth conversations on all-things muni. 

5 MIN READ
Perspectives July 14, 2025
Top 5 Muni Market Insights 2025: Mid-Year Update
MacKay Municipal Managers share mid-year insights. See how our five key municipal themes are tracking.
7 MIN VIDEO
May 15, 2025
Finding Value in a Shifting Muni Market
Robert DiMella, CFA, Executive Managing Director and Co-Head of MacKay Municipal Managers, shares insights from our webcast: Navigating Complex Bond Markets
18 wheeler semi truck aerial view 26 MIN VIDEO
Events and Webcasts April 9, 2025
Municipal Bond Market Update: Key Performance Drivers
Robert DiMella, CFA, Executive Managing Director and Co-Head of MacKay Municipal Managers, shares timely insights on the municipal bond market
2 MIN READ
Perspectives February 5, 2025
Consider MSTIX Amid Declining Money Market Yields
As money market yields decline, tax-equivalent yields from short-term muni funds could be considered an attractive alternative
5 MIN READ
Perspectives January 9, 2025
2025 Municipal Market Outlook
MacKay Municipal Managers provides their 2025 outlook for the municipal markets.
5 MIN READ
Perspectives July 15, 2024
2024 Municipal Bond Market Insights: Mid-year Update
MacKay Municipal Managers reviews the status of their predictions.
5 MIN READ
Perspectives April 30, 2024
Opportunities in Active Municipal Bond Fund Management
Opportunities in Active Municipal Bond Fund Management
2 MIN READ
June 12, 2024
The MacKay Municipal Managers Difference
Key differentiators in MacKay Municipal Managers’ investment approach.
3 MIN READ
October 7, 2024
Investment Insights: Power of Tax Equivalent Yield
Municipal bonds are well-recognized for tax-exempt income, yet the potential magnitude of after-tax benefit can still go underappreciated by investors.
1 MIN READ
May 23, 2025
Investment Idea: Attractive Alternatives to T-Bills
Considering interest rate scenarios in today's unpredictable economic environment, municipal bonds may be attractive alternatives to Treasury Bills.
Crossing interstates in Florida
May 22, 2023
Morningstar Magazine: Complementing the Core
Morningstar Magazine features MainStay MacKay U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund and MacKay Municipal Managers.
18 wheeler semi truck aerial view 5 MIN READ
June 29, 2023
Investment Insights: T-Bill Yields Are Projected to Decline
T-Bill yields are projected to decline. What should investors do?
High Angle View Boats River 8 MIN READ
May 25, 2023
A Golden Opportunity - California Municipal Bonds
California municipal bonds have benefited from strong relative performance compared to the overall municipal market over the 10-year period ending 3/31/23.
Abstract steel construction from under the bridge 2 MIN VIDEO
Keep More of What You Earn with Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds played a vital role in building this country. Imagine what they can do for your income portfolio
7 MIN READ
Five Tax Tips for Investors
Five practical tax tips investors may want to consider for their own investments.
Bronze metal spiral pattern 2 MIN READ
Education February 26, 2025
Investing Essentials: The Power of Taxable Equivalent Yield (National)
The pretax yield a taxable bond needs to possess for its yield to be equal to that of a tax-exempt bond is the tax-equivalent yield.

   

Muni 360

Muni 360

   

Muni 360

Podcast: Listen and Subscribe

Listen to in-depth conversations, as the seasoned, active investors at MacKay Municipal Managers share their latest views on the municipal market.

Listen to the Podcast

Subscribe to get the latest Muni 360 Podcast episode delivered to your inbox.
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State by State Breakdown

Use this interactive tool for key statistics that summarize each state's municipal profile.

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Muni 360 Report

Get a comprehensive view into the municipal market alongside insights from MacKay Municipal Managers. 

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MacKay Municipal Managers

MacKay Municipal Managers

   

MacKay Municipal Managers

  

MacKay Municipal Managers™
The Minds Behind Munis

The experience of a large firm. The approach of a nimble, autonomous boutique. Plus, fund managers with a personal touch and a track record of success. All of which means we have the insights, experience and solutions you need to help take advantage of the municipal bond market. A recognized leader in active municipal bond investing, the team at MacKay Municipal Managers averages over 20 years of industry experience, and its Co-CIOs have worked together since 1993.

Get Our Top 5 Muni Insights: Mid-Year Update 2025 >

John Loffredo

John Loffredo, CFA

Vice Chairman

Bob Dimella

Robert DiMella, CFA

Executive Managing Director

Asset Allocation Guides

Asset Allocation Guides

   

Municipal Bond Asset Allocation Guides

For Advisors Only

MacKay Municipal Managers provides its municipal bond asset allocation portfolios for investors seeking to construct blended exposures. For Financial Advisors looking to build their clients’ portfolios, download our Municipal Bond Asset Allocation Guide.

Investors, please inquire about our guide with your financial advisor.

Get the National Guide

Download State-Specific Asset Allocation Guides:

Get the California Guide
Get the New York Guide
Get the Utah Guide
Get the Arizona Guide
Get the Colorado Guide
Get the Oregon Guide

The Asset Allocation Guides provide financial advisors and their clients with a framework that incorporates the related concepts of investor objectives and relative risk. This should be viewed in the context of a starting point in the conversation that takes place between the advisor and the client.

What’s Your Risk Tolerance?
Download the guides for more details, including suggested allocations for Conservative, Moderate and Aggressive investors.

   

Solutions

Solutions

   

Explore Our Highly Rated Muni Solutions

Our Highly Rated Muni Solutions

Our Solutions

View All

   

Our Municipal Suite of Solutions

   

   

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Due to market volatility, current performance may be less or higher than the figures shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that upon redemption, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance figures for all Funds reflect contractual waivers and/or expense limitations, without which total returns may have been lower. These limitations may be modified or terminated only with Board approval.


Click on the product name for the most recent overall risk-adjusted Morningstar ratings shown above, including ratings by share class and time period and the number of funds in each category. The Fund page also includes the prospectus, investment objectives, performance, risk and other important information.


The Morningstar Rating™ for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance (this does not include the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees). The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods.


National and State-specific Strategies Across the Income and Risk Spectrum

This is a hypothetical illustration showing relative potential risk and yield. Risk based on standard deviation. *National muni tax-equivalent yield based on 40.80% tax level (37% highest federal tax bracket plus the 3.8% Medicare surcharge). CA and NY muni tax equivalent yield based on the blended rates derived from a top federal income tax rate of 37%, the 3.8% Medicare tax, top state income tax rates of 8.82% and 13.30% in New York and California, respectively. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, which will vary. All mutual funds are subject to market risk and will fluctuate in value. Corporate High Yield Bonds index is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays High-Yield Corporate Bond Index. The U.S. Corporate bond index is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index. The U.S. Treasury index is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index. The U.S. Aggregate bond index is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

Historical Insights

Historical Insights

Historical Insights

5 MIN READ
Perspectives January 9, 2025
2025 Municipal Market Outlook
MacKay Municipal Managers provides their 2025 outlook for the municipal markets.
5 MIN READ
January 11, 2024
2024 Municipal Market Outlook
MacKay Municipal Managers provides their 2024 outlook for the municipal markets.
2023 Municipal Bond Market Insights
In their Top Five Insights for 2023, MacKay Municipal Managers highlights why “Preparation Seizes Opportunity – Higher Accruals Set the Pace.”
Top Five Municipal Market Insights for 2022
Top Five Municipal Market Insights for 2022
2021 Municipal Bond Market Insights
Our 2021 Insights explicitly point to the municipal market’s ability to withstand and adjust to the unprecedented changes of 2020.
Architectural wall angle
2020 Municipal Bond Market Insights
In Uncharted Territory, Leverage Knowledge: MacKay Municipal Managers provides their annual insights and mid-year update.
Thorns cactus plant closeup
2019 Municipal Bond Market Insights
Tactical Moves Guide Investors Through Market Uncertainty: MacKay Municipal Managers provide their annual insights and mid-year update.
Abstract fractal spiral shell
2018 Municipal Bond Market Insights
MacKay Municipal Managers cite 2018 as the “Year of Risk and Return” in their annual outlook.
aerial-view-of-thin-barrier-island-with-water-on-each-side
2017 Municipal Bond Market Insights
Rebuilding America: MacKay Municipal Managers provides their annual insights and mid-year update.
Agave leaves pastel
2016 Municipal Bond Market Insights
In their Top 5 Muni Insights for 2016, MacKay Municipal Managers highlights the “Liquidity Wars.”
2015 Municipal Bond Market Insights
The Year of Transition to Active Management: MacKay Municipal Managers provide their annual insights and mid-year update.
Braided thick rope spiral fishing
2014 Municipal Bond Market Insights
MacKay Municipal Managers name 2014 the “Year of After Tax Returns” in their annual outlook.
Abstract ceiling of modern architecture
2013 Municipal Bond Market Insights
The Year of Income: MacKay Municipal Managers provide their annual insights and mid-year update.
Worm spiral reef Indonesia
2012 Municipal Bond Market Insights
MacKay Municipal Managers offers their outlook and mid-year update for the municipal market in 2012.
Waves in grey agate
2011 Municipal Bond Market Insights
MacKay Municipal Managers focuses on what’s driving the municipal marketplace in 2011.

  

   

The Morningstar Medalist RatingTM is the summary expression of Morningstar’s forward-looking analysis of investment strategies as offered via specific vehicles using a rating scale of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Neutral, and Negative. The Medalist Ratings indicate which investments Morningstar believes are likely to outperform a relevant index or peer group average on a risk-adjusted basis over time. Investment products are evaluated on three key pillars (People, Parent, and Process) which, when coupled with a fee assessment, forms the basis for Morningstar’s conviction in those products’ investment merits and determines the Medalist Rating they’re assigned. Pillar ratings take the form of Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, and High. Pillars may be evaluated via an analyst’s qualitative assessment (either directly to a vehicle the analyst covers or indirectly when the pillar ratings of a covered vehicle are mapped to a related uncovered vehicle) or using algorithmic techniques. Vehicles are sorted by their expected performance into rating groups defined by their Morningstar Category and their active or passive status. When analysts directly cover a vehicle, they assign the three pillar ratings based on their qualitative assessment, subject to the oversight of the Analyst Rating Committee, and monitor and reevaluate them at least every 14 months. When the vehicles are covered either indirectly by analysts or by algorithm, the ratings are assigned monthly. For more detailed information about these ratings, including their methodology, please go to global.morningstar.com/managerdisclosures/.

The Morningstar Medalist Rating (i) should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating an investment product, (ii) involves unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected, (iii) are not guaranteed to be based on complete or accurate assumptions or models when determined algorithmically, (iv) involve the risk that the return target will not be met due to such things as unforeseen changes in management, technology, economic development, interest rate development, operating and/or material costs, competitive pressure, supervisory law, exchange rate, tax rates, exchange rate changes, and/or changes in political and social conditions, and (v) should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell the investment product. A change in the fundamental factors underlying the Morningstar Medalist Rating can mean that the rating is subsequently no longer accurate.

© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Bloomberg High-Yield Corporate Bond Index is a rules-based, market-value-weighted index engineered to measure publicly issued non-investment grade USD fixed-rate, taxable and corporate bonds. Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index measures the investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. It includes USD denominated securities publicly issued by U.S. and non-U.S. industrial, utility and financial issuers. Bloomberg U.S. 1-3 Year Government/Credit Index includes investment-grade corporate debt issues as well as debt issues of U.S. government agencies and the U.S. Treasury, with maturities of one to three years. Index results assume the reinvestment of all capital gain and dividend distributions. Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

Active management is the use of a human element, such as a single manager, co-managers or a team of managers, to actively manage a fund’s portfolio. Active management strategies typically have higher fees than passive management.

Please note that not all products may be available for sale to all registered representatives and agents. Please consult your firm guidelines. Please note that not all products may be available for sale to all registered representatives and agents. Please consult your firm guidelines.

   

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Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.



Consider the Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus include this and other information about the Funds and are available by visiting the Prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.



The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and are not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.



Securities distributed by NYLIFE Distributors LLC, 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, Member FINRA/SIPC.



“New York Life Investments” is both a service mark, and the common trade name, of certain investment advisors affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company.



The mutual funds may be offered and sold only to persons in the United States.



The products and services of New York Life Investments' boutiques are not available in all jurisdictions or regions where such provision would be contrary to local laws or regulations.


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