News and Information from Bond Buyer

Week Of January 5 Issuer St Description Amount

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Government

Assured Guaranty said it plans to purchase fellow bond insurer Radian Asset for $810 million to expand its municipal bond franchise.

The municipal bond market on Tuesday switched to holiday mode ahead of Wednesday’s early market close and the full close on Christmas Day. Minimal activity is expected on Friday too. Prices of high-quality municipal bonds were lower, according to Municipal Market Data.

Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia formally closed on $600 million of federal loans for Silver Line rail project to Dulles Airport.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating to A-minus from BBB-plus on Baltimore County, Md.'s series 2007A senior living bonds, issued for Oak Crest Village.

Moody's Investors Service said it has upgraded the city of Perth Amboy, N.J., to A3 from Baa1, affecting $3.4 million of rated general obligation debt.

The Minnesota Orchestral Association's low investment grade credit has stabilized as the organization recovers from its past lockout, Standard & Poor's said.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating three notches to AA from A on West Shore Area Authority, Pa.'s series 2011 revenue bonds issued on behalf of Holy Spirit Hospital.

A three-mile segment of the Coalfields Expressway will be the first public-private partnership project to be built under West Virginia's new P3 law.

Spending by New York State's largest public authorities jumped $3.5 billion since last reported in 2013, according to a report by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its underlying rating (SPUR) on Knox Hills LLC, Ky.'s series 2007 class I bonds to A-plus from AA-minus and affirmed its A-minus rating on the class II bonds issued on behalf of the Fort Knox Military Housing Privatization project.

The Regional Transportation Authority of Illinois heads into the new year with a $2.9 billion operating budget and $3.8 billion five-year capital program that relies on federal funds and loans, and borrowings including inaugural issues from two of its service boards.

The Treasury Department auctioned $35 billion of five-year notes, with a 1 5/8% coupon, a 1.739% high yield, a price of 99.456337.

Projections of New York City revenue and spending reflect an even brighter fiscal outlook than anticipated, said the Independent Budget Office.

The municipal bond market went into holiday mode on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's early market close and the full close on Christmas Day.

Municipals delivered solid performance overall thanks to the strength of the long duration and high-yield segments.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $30 billion of four-week bills at a 0.010% high yield, a price of 99.999250.