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The article reports that few hospitals have been making much of a fuss about what some call a double standard for issuers accessing the tax-exempt, municipal bond market versus the corporate bond market through which for-profit companies typically finance their debt. Municipal bond issuers of auction-rate debt frequently avail themselves of bond insurance to enhance their credit even further by bumping it up a notch or so, making their bonds marketable to a pool of investors, according to Steven Donovan of Hawkins Delafield & Wood.

The article reports on the business losses being faced by several companies, including Citigroup Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. It states that the companies are tapping investors to help them cover their mortgage-related losses. A Merrill Lynch strategist states that the corporate bond defaults are likely to triple in 2008. It mentions about several other sectors that are causing economic losses to the companies, which includes the consumer-lending sector.

Statistics are given regarding the private sector, including the amount in bonds used to finance construction of the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, the number of local vendors set to participate in the 2017 wintertime Downtown Detroit Market and the grant the William Davidson Foundation gave to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The article reports on the plan of hospital operators Hospital Corp. of America (HCA) and LifePoint Hospitals to take advantage of the good economic environment for U.S. investor-owned hospital chains and credit markets. It notes that both firms intend to lengthen their debt maturities while LifePoint also plans to increase borrowing capacity. Jeff Villwock of Genesis Capital states that the reimbursements of hospital operators tend to grow faster than costs. It mentions that one billion dollars worth of new senior secured notes will be offered by HCA.

The article reports on the debt deals signed by Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Catholic Healthcare West (CHW). CHI priced fixed-rate bonds that totaled to 1.1 billion U.S. dollar in October 2009, while CHW is expected to launch a 919 million U.S. dollar bond. According to the author, such debt deals demonstrate a rebound in the credit markets. However, Rob Yolland, a research analyst with Franklin Templeton, claimed that the return of healthcare borrowers to the market makes investors more choosy. Details of each debt deal are also presented.

The article reports on the bond offerings of HCA and Tenet Healthcare Corp. A total of $300 million in new bonds was announced by HCA. The bonds are due to mature in 2017. HCA has also asked its bank lenders to alter their credit agreements to allow the company to issue new debt solely for the purpose of repaying the bank lending. A definitive agreement has been secured by Tenet on the sale of two hospitals to the University of Southern California that will net Tenet cash proceeds of $310 million.

The article focuses on the satellite radio broadcasting company Sirius XM Radio. The company is heavily indebted in large part due to the expense of hiring well-known radio personalities such as Howard Stern. Chief Executive Officer Mel Karmazin must find a new source of capital before $175 million in bonds come due on February 17, 2009 or be forced to declare bankruptcy.

The article reports that Perry Mehta, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of FutureNet Group Inc. is not afraid to turn down projects, if he thinks he cannot deliver, despite his multimillion-dollar completed projects. Mehta states that they avoid projects outside their geographic area and reach, since performance guarantee is link with any construction project. He mentions that bonding capacity is the biggest indicator in declining the project and its success depends on good management

The article reports that William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, has issued tax-exempt bond of 270 million dollars through the City of Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority. It will be used to advance a refund of 234 million dollars in variable rate bonds. Standard and Poor's Rating Services, the bond rating agency in Chicago, Illinois, also affirmed its 'A' rating on Beaumont's outstanding debt.