Markets

Municipal bond traders are set to see more deals head their way on Thursday as the market will see the last big sales of the week hit the screens.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 3,000 to 247,000 in the July 8 week, about what was expected.

Business inflation ended up on the barely positive side in June as food prices — mostly for holiday boosted meats — counterbalanced the drop in gasoline.

The end of a two-year old budget impasse led S&P to affirm Illinois and assign a stable outlook.

Top-rated municipal bonds finished stronger on Wednesday as a large deal from a New York and New Jersey issuer hit the screens while a deal from a Chicago issuer was postponed until next week.

A merger between Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University will have no immediate credit impact , according to Moody’s Investors Service.

While working on two bond sales and finalizing a new budget, Cook County, Ill. is eyeing layoffs.

S&P Global Ratings said it affirmed its BBB-minus rating on Illinois' general obligation bonds, and the BB-plus ratings on the state's appropriation-backed debt, which includes Chicago's outstanding motor fuel tax (MFT) revenue bonds.

All 12 Federal Reserve Districts saw economic growth in June, the Beige Book, released Wednesday indicated.

Struggles with tuition revenue growth landed a junk rating for Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y.