© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
By Matt Tracy
(Reuters) – U.S. corporate bond market issuance is projected to slow next week from a hectic start to the year after economic data sent mixed signals on Friday but tempered expectations of an interest rate cut in March.
The first week of 2024 saw nearly $59 billion in high-grade bond issuance, beating forecasts of $50 billion to $55 billion.
The rush was led by top-rated companies aiming to take advantage of relatively lower borrowing costs due to a tightening of credit spreads, the premium charged over Treasuries, and decline in Treasury yields at the end of 2023.
They were met with strong demand as investors aimed to lock in yields that may not be available if the Federal Reserve starts to cut U.S. interest rates later this year.
But economic data releases on Friday sent…
