First, be aware that the bonds you see quoted in the newspaper are those that are listed on the NYSE or AMEX. Far more bonds are traded over the counter. Their prices are not reported in the newspaper. To find out about them, you need to contact a bond dealer or the bond desk of a brokerage firm.

A previous posting has indicated some plans to publish OTC bond trades, but the bond traders feel they should be compensated for this proprietary information. So far the issue has not been resolved to my knowledge. In the meanwhile it is necessary to shop around and contact several bond dealers to get competitive bids before you make a deal.

You will find links to current bond prices in message 40 for govts, munis and corporates. So far no one is trading bonds on line, but some brokers do list current bonds in their inventory on their web pages. Price Waterhouse is often mentioned for this. You will find a series of links to on line bond offerings last updated last October in message 219. Otherwise, browse through the back messages. You will find many suggestions on where and how to buy bonds.

When trading over the counter bonds, Moody's from the link in message 240 tells what the yield should be for a bond of a given maturity and rating.

Welcome to the board. Ask again if any of this requires clarification.