How Do Muni Bond Credit Ratings Work?

In this episode, Kathy and Liz Ann discuss the latest Fed meeting and how companies have fared during earnings season.

Then, Kathy is joined by Cooper Howard and special guest Jane Ridley of S&P Global. Their conversation explores credit-rating agencies and the municipal bond market. They discuss the role of rating agencies in assessing the ability of issuers to repay debt, the importance of credit ratings for investors, and the factors considered in developing ratings. They also explain the differences between general obligation bonds and revenue bonds, the frequency of rating updates, and the impact of bond maturities on ratings. The conversation addresses the track record of ratings in the muni market and the reasons for unrated municipal bonds. They also discuss what happens if a muni bond were to default.

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Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed-income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors. Lower-rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk.

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