Markets

For the week ended Feb. 19, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, jumped five basis points to 4.26% from 4.21%.

With hospital issuance up so far in 2015 and likely to stay that way, investors may not be sufficiently compensated for the sector's risks, according to Municipal Market Advisors.

As taxable fixed-income rates remain near all-time lows, Kentucky is one of several states eyeing pension obligation bonds to deal with unfunded retirement obligations.

It looks like it will be pretty quiet trading in the week ahead. Only about $4.6 billion of new municipal bonds are scheduled to be sold during the holiday-shortened week as issuers and underwriters will be watching market conditions closely.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, rose 9 basis points to 4.21% from 4.12% for the week ended Feb. 5.

Moody's Investors Service reported more upgrades than downgrades by number and par value in the fourth quarter, marking "economic and financial stabilization" in public finance.

Standard & Poor's upgraded Miami's general obligation bond ratings to A-plus from BBB citing the city's improved financial management practices and budget flexibility.

Two municipal strategists are taking different roads to minimize risk while adding value in a market fraught with uncertainty over interest rates.

If yields continue to rise, more deals could be pulled in the upcoming week

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, was unchanged from the previous week at 4.12%, for the week ended Feb. 5.