Investments

Tradeweb Markets agreed to buy BondDesk Group LLC in a move that would combine two operators of alternative trading systems that serve the municipal bond market, among other fixed income marketplaces.

Less than half of state pension plans met Morningstar Inc.'s threshold for healthy status in 2012 with Wisconsin again ranking the strongest and Illinois the weakest.

Municipal bond pros are slashing their forecasts for long-term issuance this year, saying the industry is likely to shrink after climbing interest rates curtailed demand for refundings.

Warren Buffett's bond insurance firm Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. made its first appearance in the Detroit bankruptcy as the city filed objections to creditors' requests.

KANSAS

CALIFORNIA

With the FOMC meeting looming, municipalities have curtailed long-term bond issuance to just over $3 billion this week while they wait to see if the Fed tapers.

Indiana Secondary Market for Education Loans, Inc. entered into a voluntary closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service over $221.65 million of student loan bonds issued from 2001 through 2004. Under the agreement, the issuer made a payment to the IRS and redeemed all outstanding bonds.

The University of Texas will issue $255 million of bonds to fund new engineering building on its Austin campus.

The municipal bond market rally failed to encourage investors, who pulled a net $1.90 billion from muni bond mutual funds for the week ending Sept. 11.

The tax-exempt market made gains in every session this week as buyers became more confident about participating in the market as the week progressed.

ARKANSAS

CALIFORNIA

The Bond Buyer's weekly yield indexes declined the week ended September 12.

A bankruptcy judge confirmed American Airlines’ reorganization plan but its exit from Chapter 11 depends on resolution of the antitrust lawsuit against its merger with US Airways Group.

Nine states prevailed in arbitration with the tobacco companies in a dispute over the 1998 master tobacco settlement, providing a boost for those with outstanding tobacco bonds.

A new Standard & Poor's local methodology is expected to lead to changed ratings for 40% of issuers in a review that will start with the largest 48.

Tax-exempt money market funds saw $1.92 billion of net inflows in the week ended Sept. 9.

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA