Markets

The Conference Board's Employment Trends Index fell to 110.41 in November from 110.73 in October.

Municipal bonds closed out the week stronger ahead of a hefty new issue slate.

As the end of the year draws near, the municipal bond market will see lots of negotiated deals on next week’s new issue calendar.

Americans place almost $150 billion in illegal sports bets annually, according to the American Gaming Association.

October wholesale inventories increased by 0.8%, revised upward from the 0.7% increase reported in the advance estimate, while wholesale sales were down 0.2% in the month.

The University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 97.5, compared to the final November 97.5.

U.S. payrolls and wages rose by less than forecast in November while the unemployment rate held at the lowest in almost five decades, indicating some moderation in a still-healthy labor market.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, fell to 4.15% from 4.21% the week before.

Municipal bonds rallied Thursday as yields fell as much as six basis points in spots.

The bank won't say what led to Stratford Shields' firing; his representative accused the firm of engineering the ouster.