Special Report

Outlook 2012

Here, you’ll find ongoing coverage about the trends and predictions in the municipal market.

Retail Buyers

After Rough Year, Retail Returns

Buyers Cautiously Optimistic Now

By Christine Albano |  Jan 11

Now as 2012 gets underway, mom-and-pop investors are back and looking to glean some of the performance that made the sector shine in the fourth quarter of 2011.  [Free]

New Year Won't Mirror Returns of 2011

By James Ramage |  Jan 09

Most investors agree that municipal bonds in 2012 will not match 2011's robust returns. But there are opportunities at various points in the yield curve and among lower investment-grade credits.

Enforcement

IRS Taps EMMA for Bond Prices

TEB Team Using Variety of Data

By Lynn Hume, Jennifer DePaul |  Jan 04

The Internal Revenue Service's tax-exempt bond office has formed a seven-person team that is using EMMA and other data from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to determine if muni bonds were initially offered at prices that raise questions about tax-law compliance.  [Free]

Tax Legislation

Tax-Exemption Threats Are Still on the Radar

By Lynn Hume, Jennifer DePaul |  Jan 03

The municipal securities market, still reeling from a handful of proposals President Obama and others offered during the last 14 months that pose the greatest threat to tax-exemption since 1986, may have a year's respite due to partisan bickering in Congress and the forthcoming presidential election, according to tax experts.  [Free]

New Year to Kick Off With CDR's Bid-Rigging Trial

By Joan Quigley |  Dec 30

In the realm of muni enforcement, the new year will start with the most high-profile federal criminal trial since the mid-1990s, stemming from the Justice Department's extensive probe of bid-rigging.

Regulation

Many See a Banner Year Ahead for Muni Regulation

By Joan Quigley |  Dec 29

The coming year could herald the most significant regulatory changes in the municipal securities market in more than 35 years.

Transportation

Long-Term Transit Bill Desired

By Kyle Glazier |  Dec 28

Transportation officials and lobbyists will be watching Capitol Hill early next year, hoping lawmakers pass long-term reauthorization legislation funding aviation and surface programs that would bring much-needed stability to the sectors.  [Free]

Review 2012

Munis Went on a Roller-Coaster Ride of Popularity in 2011

By Robert Slavin |  Dec 28

In 2011, municipal bonds went from being the girl no one wanted to dance with to being the one all the guys sought out.