Markets

California's long-term ratings from all rating agencies could hit double-A levels if current conditions continue, according to a Municipal Market Analytics report.

Municipal volume is forecasted to rise in the holiday-shortened week, with three of the four biggest deals tied to oil.

The Government Finance Officers Association is levelling strong criticism at Moody's Investors Service for failing to provide its credit ratings to EMMA and urging the agency to do so.

Short term municipal bonds, after posting negative returns in December, may still have value as an alternative to staying in cash while waiting for the Federal Reserve Board to raise interest rates.

Muni Bond Indexes Strengthen Again in Latest Week

Standard & Poor's maintains a negative outlook on the nonprofit higher education sector in 2015.

Analysts attribute the spate of municipal bankruptcies since 2011 to the aftereffects of the 2008 credit crisis and Great Recession, as well as changing attitudes about debt.

Municipal bond defaults, which increased to record levels last year as Detroit's bankruptcy boosted the total, may remain elevated this year.

The Charlotte, N.C., City Council agreed to restructure two non-recourse bank loans obtained as part of the financing to build the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Investors will celebrate a $3 billion boost in volume this week, highlighted by a large, well-known New York credit, following the seasonally-light first official week back to market.