Investopedia explains 'Auction Rate Bond - ARB'
The rates on ARBs are set in a similar way to how rates on new U.S. Treasury bills are set when they are issued. However, when an auction fails due to a lack of buyers, both bondholders and bond issuers are negatively impacted. The bondholders can't sell what is supposed to be a liquid investment and issuers are forced to pay higher default rates (set when the bonds were initially sold).
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