Barra Buys Minority Share In IDB Liberty; Deal Yields Access To Treasury Bond Data

Barra Inc., a provider of investment management tools and analytical software, has acquired a minority stake in interdealer Treasury broker Liberty Brokerage Inc. Through the purchase, announced last week, Barra will gain access to Liberty's Treasury data.

Barra paid $5.5 million for a stake of less than 10 percent of the broker. The vendor will receive a seat on the board and voting preferred stock that is convertible into Liberty common stock.

The two companies are further discussing the