Markets

Top quality municipal bonds were mixed in early activity, traders said, as the market prepares for a few big deals as activity winds down ahead of next week’s more robust slate.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed blames 'a small group of unknown people' at S&P for the state's downgrade while the Senate rejects a House revenue plan.

Top Republicans say they will meet with Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy, who vows to veto the GOP-backed budget.

Initial claims U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 23,000 to 259,000 in the September 16 employment survey week, well below the 305,000 level expected and suggesting some displaced workers have not been able to file yet, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

Declining state aid makes districts more reliant on local taxes to fund operations, said Moody's Investors Service.

Top-rated municipal bonds finished weaker on Wednesday, according to traders, after the Federal Open Market Committee as expected left rates unchanged at a 1% to 1.25% range.

Florida’s share of hurricane-related costs will weigh on the state as it nears a structural budget imbalance.

Top-rated municipal bonds were unchanged at midday, according to traders, who were in a wait-and-see mode as the Federal Open Market Committee gets set to announce its decision on interest rates.

The authority, which runs Greater Boston mass transit, intends to sell the bonds as part of a $574 million competitive sale.

S&P Global Ratings cited fiscal shakiness while Gov. Tom Wolf called for an end to the budget impasse.