In 1971, Municipal Pioneer, Samuel A. Ramirez Sr., started the first Hispanic investment bank in the nation. 50 years later, the firm ranks 10th industry wide among all managers.
A small, fledgling minority-owned firm that opened its doors in 1971 with just a handful of clients is celebrating a half century on Wall Street, growing to 11 regional offices nationwide and serving as lead manager on $40 billion in the last decade.
CREDIT AND MARKET STRATEGY MUNICIPAL MARKET WEEKLY
April 19, 2021
The S&P 500 and DJIA again posted record highs while Treasury yields declined as economic data and first quarter earnings from the largest banks surprised to the upside. Oil prices rose. CPI through March was slightly better than expected at +2.6% y/y with core CPI at +1.6% y/y, indicating that higher inflation remains mostly contained. US headline retail sales in March were up +9.8% m/m on stimulus and economic reopening while initial jobless claims fell to a 13-month low at 576k in the week ended April 10. Bank earnings for 1Q20 were significantly better than estimates, driven in part by release of some pandemic-related loan loss reserves.
Munis gained in sympathy with Treasuries and again outperformed on a light tax-exempt calendar and another torrent of fund inflows. New issue of $7.3 bil. was manageable and well-received led by issues from PA Econ Dev Fin Auth, CA Public Works, and State of Delaware. About $4.9 bil., or only 67.5% of new issue was tax-exempt. Fund inflows on the week were an all-time weekly record of +$2.25 bil. (+$22 bil. YTD) as investors continue to pour money into the asset class on the prospect of higher taxes.
SAMUEL A. RAMIREZ & COMPANY, INC. MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK FINANCIAL STRATEGIES GROUP – March 2021
Dear Clients,
Please find attached Ramirez & Co.’s Macroeconomic Outlook. In our report, we continue to monitor the US economy, global events and the Fed’s outlook on the economy and rates:
• The Covid-19 virus is slowing down and vaccination in the US is picking up. In all likelihood, the economy will follow Covid-19’s and the vaccination’s path • The FOMC forecasts 2021 GDP to expand by 6.5%, contrasted with its December forecast of a 4.2% increase. And, the Fed forecaststhat real GDP will grow by 3.3% and 2.2% in 2022 and 2023, respectively, all well-above its 1.8% of sustainable longer-run growth • The Fed funds rate remains unchanged at 0%-0.25%, and will remain as such, through 2023, according to the median FOMC estimate. The longer run Fed funds rate remains at 2.5%. • For the foreseeable future, the Fed will continue its large-scale asset purchases (LSAP) at least at the current pace –$80 billion per month in Treasury securities and $40 billion per month in mortgage-backed securities
Members of our Financial Strategies Group, Niso Abuaf, Konstantin Semyonov and Duncan Sinclair, would be happy to discuss further any of the material with you.
Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc. (Ramirez & Company) continues to monitor all federal, state,
and local COVID-19 guidance. Currently all employees are working remotely. The firm is operating business
as usual, providing all products, services and capabilities for our clients across the globe. We will continue
to provide updates to you, as needed, in the coming days and weeks.
For more information, please refer to the
Ramirez & Co. Business Continuity Client Disclosure: ramirezco.com/BusinessContinuity.
If you have any questions, please contact your Sales or Relationship Manager or email info@ramirezco.com.
Ramirez & Company, Inc. Management
At Ramirez we firmly stand united in the fight against racial injustices and the marginalization of
minority communities. As a minority owned firm we are committed to ensuring that future generations
do not have to face these obstacles and we believe that we all need to work together to make America
a more just and fair country. Ramirez understands that Black Lives Matter and that more progress needs
to be made to change the fundamental problems of racial and class inequalities in housing, education,
healthcare and our justice system. This is a critical moment in time and it is imperative we
collectively take the steps to make change and move the needle.
CEO Letter to Employees Addressing this Crisis
Diversity Statement
Ramirez Charity and Community Involvement Statement
June 8, 2020
Dear Ramirez Employees:
I want to let you know that I - and all of Ramirez leadership - stand with the Black Community. We are sickened by what happened to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and the other recent victims of horrible racial violence the past few years and for many years before these events. We abhor the systemic racism and social injustices in America that Black and Brown people are subjected to. We stand with the peaceful protestors and agree that we all need to work together to make America a more just and fair country.
As a first generation American Puerto Rican, I understand the issues minorities today are facing. I have been fortunate to be a successful entrepreneur, but while growing our firm I have had to confront many cases of discrimination and inequality in the American business world. Fifty years ago I remember being told not to name the firm Ramirez, because "no-one would do business with a Hispanic firm." I understand the progress that has been made, but much more progress needs to be made to change the fundamental problems of racial and class inequities in housing, education, healthcare and our justice system. This is a critical moment in time and it is imperative we collectively take the steps to make change and move the needle.
There is no tolerance at Ramirez for racial discrimination of any type and, at a minimum, it is our responsibility and obligation to increase our outreach to the minority community in our charitable giving, internships, hiring, and professional development programs. To that end we will:
Make a commitment to continue to increase the diversity of the Ramirez workforce and the professional development of our minority employees;
Make a commitment to continue to grow our internship and education efforts for up and coming minority professionals;
Establish an internal dialog to discuss these issues and formulate solutions to make change;
Focus more of our charitable giving to organizations that work to change inequities in housing, education, healthcare and our justice system; and
Be supportive of our clients' efforts to change these inequities in America.
We will work together as a company on ideas for how to be most effective in making change. Thank you to all of you who make Ramirez a success and we welcome and appreciate your ideas.
More to come.
Sam Ramirez
Founder & CEO - Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc.
Diversity Statement:
As one of the oldest and largest Hispanic institutions on Wall Street, we are proud of our origins
and strive to lead the way in benefiting those most in need. Being 92% minority owned & 100% employee
owned, we take pride that 100% of our regional offices are being led by a minority or military
veteran. When focusing on the senior leadership roles at Ramirez & Co and Ramirez Asset Management
there is an impressive 60% minority representation. We believe that this diverse workforce is a key
ingredient to our success and thus over the last ten year periods 40+% of all new hires have been
minorities. We have a robust internal program that provides junior minority employees mentorship
opportunities with senior leaders that help them navigate the industry and advance within the firm.
This pipeline of talent starts with our intern program where over the last ten years 65% of all
interns have been minorities with the current class being representative of that. Overall 40+% of
the total Ramirez family is composed of minorities.
We are committed to continuing to be industry leaders in the inclusion of minorities in the financial
industry and firmly believe that this is a key part of our future success.
Charitable Giving Statement:
Now more than ever is the time to concentrate on giving to causes that have the potential to improve our
country and create the most value for future generations. Over the last five years Ramirez has focused our
giving to organizations whose missions include the education of minority populations, community support,
healthcare and mentorship programs. A total of over 100 charities with 18+ unique causes were supported with
almost $850k+ in total donations made. Ramirez is committed to increasing our support of organizations that
are focused on racial and class inequities in housing, education, healthcare and our justice system.
