Release of Monthly Statistical Summaries of Transactions in the Municipal Securities Market

On February 13, 2001, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) began releasing statistical information on month-by-month transaction patterns in the municipal securities market. These data are based on trade information submitted by dealers to the MSRB’s Transaction Reporting System.

The data are in the form of charts and tables which summarize each month’s market activity with regard to such criteria as:  total trading in all municipal securities with subtotals for municipal bonds, commercial paper and notes; the extent of trading of newly issued municipal bonds; and average trade size.

The first release of monthly data comprises summaries for the months of June through November 2000.  The MSRB plans to release similar statistical summaries each month in the future.  A monthly summary of municipal securities market activity will be made available approximately four to eight weeks after the month’s end.

The transaction information is accessible on the MSRB’s web site, www.msrb.org, via the “What’s New” link.  The information can be viewed on screen or downloaded into Excel.  Click on the tabs at the bottom of the screen to view the various reports.

STATISTICAL PATTERNS IN THE MUNICIPAL MARKET 

February 13, 2001