Buy side

A pension reform group took issue with a University of California report that argues that fully funding pensions may be a "misguided" goal.

Foreign investors increased holdings of municipal bonds by 16% last year, according to report released by Van Eck on Tuesday.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s 8-year extension of its lucrative broadcast agreement with two major broadcasting networks wasn’t enough to stave off a downgrade.

In the week ended March 16, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index rose two basis points to 4.34% from 4.32%.

Long-term structural balance in New Jersey remains elusive thanks to continued deferral of full funding for future retirement obligations, said S&P.

New Jersey’s financial stress is influencing investors, as reflected in recent trading levels.

The sovereign powers and strong general obligation repayment statute supporting Illinois’ investment-grade ratings are being tested by budget gridlock and what one analyst describes as approaching “service level insolvency.”

The SEC wants a Puerto Rico federal court to agree that Jose Ramirez, a former UBS Puerto Rico employee, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors in closed-end funds with large investments in Puerto Rico bonds.

The past 20 years have seen a transformation in the municipal market, marked by technological advances, tougher regulation and an increase in credit quality concerns.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, rose seven basis points to 4.32% in the latest week from 4.25% in the previous week.