Markets

With the presidential election just days away, the potential impact on the municipal tax exemption, demand for public debt, and tax reform are among unresolved concerns for buy-side market participants.

Clarity Bidrate Alternative Trading System, a division of Arbor Research & Trading LLC that aims to rejuvenate the variable rate municipal market, has won its first new bond issue.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, rose one basis point to 3.95% in the week ended Oct. 27 from 3.94% in the previous week.

The not-for-profit healthcare sector is holding steady but may have peaked as persistent long-term challenges threaten to undercut gains that have bolstered margins, says S&P Global Ratings health care analyst J. Kevin Holloran.

A large drop in foreclosures through the first half of this year means lower loan losses for state housing finance agencies’ bond programs, according to a report by Moody’s Investors Service.

Fixed income software provider Kalotay Analytics has licensed its patent-pending tax-neutral municipal bond valuation and risk analysis methodology to BlackRock.

Any delays in Illinois' monthly contributions pose a negative credit risk to the state, Moody's Investors Service said Friday.

After 54 straight weeks of inflows, municipal bond funds reported outflows, according to Lipper data released on Thursday.

Bonds that funded the stalled minor-league baseball stadium in Hartford, Conn., could appeal to investors with appetite for risk, said Richard Larkin of Stoever Glass.

After 54 straight weeks of inflows, municipal bond funds reported outflows, according to Lipper data released on Thursday.