Markets

The University of Michigan’s preliminary February sentiment index rose to 95.5.

Import prices were down 0.5% in January following a 1.0% decline in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Business activity grew modestly in New York State in February, the New York Federal Reserve said.

Total industrial production contracted 0.6% in January after a revised 0.1% rise that was also revised down.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, fell to 4.06% from 4.09% the week before.

Fitch downgraded many of the district’s bonds to BBB-plus, but those it views as having pledged special revenues stay AAA.

Florida, Newark, and Missouri Health priced bonds as the week's action wound down.

S&P Global Ratings said that the integration of Martin Health System into the Cleveland Clinic will allow greater operating efficiencies.

The municipal bond primary was winding down on Thursday as the last of the week’s deals were hitting the screens.

Tracy Palandjian, CEO of Social Finance, and Herve Duteil, Chief Sustainability Officer at BNP Paribas, join Chip Barnett of The Bond Buyer to talk about the new and growing field of social impact bonds and what it is about them that appeals to both issuers and investors.