January second biggest in US as firms pack in deals before volatility.

The article reports on the increase in the number of issuers in the U.S. high grade corporate bond market in January 2013. Expecting a rise in rates and increase macro-economic uncertainty, issuers have increased their activities to lock in financing. The issuers, not constrained by earnings blackouts, were prompted to stay on the sidelines because of the monthly meeting of the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee and the release of non-farm payrolls data.