Markets

If blockchain becomes a force in the muni market, it could take on some of the duties done by middlemen, thereby cutting costs for issuers.

Consumer credit increased by $17.0 billion in January to $4.035 trillion.

Moody's boost at Aa1 means lower borrowing costs, additional savings and a more diverse market for the city's bonds, according to Melanie Hartzog.

The level of initial claims fell by 3,000 to 223,000 in the March 2 week, just below expectations for a 225,000 reading, data released Thursday showed.

Productivity gains in the U.S. last quarter exceeded forecasts though were little changed from the prior reading as output and hours worked both cooled.

J.B. Pritzker will defend his fiscal 2020 budget and pension proposals as well as his gamble on waiting for voters to approve graduated income tax rates.

Municipal bond buyers grabbed general obligation bonds from California and New York City on Thursday.

Victor Quiroga Jr. previously was a vice president at Frost Bank.

The firm sought to coerce banks that underwrite high-yield state and local government debt deals from doing business with Preston Hollow Capital, the Dallas-based lender alleged in a lawsuit.

The U.S. international trade gap widened to $59.8 billion in December from $50.3 billion.