Patrick McGee

In the event that Moody's Investors Service strips the U.S. sovereign credit of its gilt-edged rating, top-rated state and local governments would be more at risk of a downgrade than similarly rated corporate or structured finance products.

Municipal bonds suffered for a second straight session as Treasuries continued to offer high yields Wednesday.

Municipal bonds suffered for a second session as Treasuries continued to give up yield Wednesday.

NEW YORK – Municipal bonds continue to weaken in afternoon trading as the market absorbs a range of deals.

NEW YORK – Municipal bonds are weakening for a second day in early trading, guided lower by a Treasury market that is softening in the wake of Greece’s parliament passing austerity measures designed to avoid a default.

The Navajo Nation is quietly planning to access the capital markets for the first time in its history within the coming six months.

Muni yields rose more on Tuesday than any other day in five weeks, but participants said trading was light and selling pressure was modest as safe-haven cash exited the fixed-income markets and pushed the stock market up more than 1.20%.

Muni yields rose more on Tuesday than any other day in five weeks, but participants said trading was light and selling pressure was modest as safe-haven cash exited the fixed income markets and pushed the stock market up more than 1.20%.

NEW YORK – Munis are feeling selling pressure Tuesday as safe-haven cash is exiting the fixed income markets and prompting the stock market to climb more than 1%.

Investors unhappy with low yields but not convinced of the merit in buying lower-graded muni credits to retain cash flow might be more attracted to another simple strategy: buy longer ­paper.

BondDesk announced Thursday it has launched a new trading service that aims to be "the most advanced retail fixed-income wealth management platform available in the market."

A strong rally in the Treasury market over the last few weeks is helping to keep tax-exempt paper looking attractive despite low nominal yields.

With tax-exempt yields at or near 2011 lows, investors have been balking at stingy nominal yields in recent weeks. But ­strategists say buying ­opportunities abound for those willing to buy lower-rated bonds.

Radian Asset Assurance Inc. announced the successful acquisition of Municipal and Infrastructure Assurance Corp. on Thursday, following the approval of its regulator, the New York Insurance Department.

The Bond Buyer's weekly yield indexes suggest the municipal market remains healthy heading into summer. Indexes were steady or a bit firmer this week even as the market digested more supply in the first two weeks of June than any comparable other period in 2011.

NEW YORK - Radian Asset Assurance Inc. announced the successful acquisition of Municipal and Infrastructure Assurance Corp. on Thursday, following the approval of its regulator, the New York Insurance Department.

Munis weakened a bit across most of the yield curve Tuesday but the sell-off looked mild next to Treasuries, where rates simply soared as investors snatched up profits following a six-week rally.

Munis weakened a bit across most of the yield curve Tuesday but the sell-off looked mild next to Treasuries, where rates simply soared as investors snatched up profits following a six-week rally.

The muni market failed to post any gains Friday despite a broad rally in Treasuries and a sixth week of plummeting equity prices.

The muni market failed to post any gains Friday despite a broad rally in Treasuries and a sixth week of plummeting equity prices.