New-issue volume in the domestic bond market increased to $2.5...

New-issue volume in the domestic bond market increased to $2.5 trillion in the first half of 2002, a jump of nearly 17% over the $2.1 trillion issued during same period last year, according to the Bond Market Association. Issuers were capitalizing on low interest rates, while investors were seeking alternatives to the volatile equity market, the group said. Issuance was up in nearly all market sectors except corporate bonds, where volume decreased by 25.6% in the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2001, according to the BMA.