Markets

In the week ended Jan. 24, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, rose to 4.11% from 4.09% last week.

Municipal bonds finished mostly stronger on Thursday as deals from issuers in Connecticut and New Jersey dominated action.

A continuing disclosure agreement debuted in documents for the state's advance refunding of Build America Bonds.

The seat of Niagara County was raised to A3 by Moody's Investors Service.

Municipal bonds were mostly stronger as action in the primary slowed.

Respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's monthly manufacturing survey reported slower growth in January, while expectations grew.

The 8^th annual Municipal Finance Conference is slated to take place July 15-16 at the Brookings Institution in the nation’s capital.

Despite the many factors pulling against our market including slowing GDP and trade uncertainty, Christopher Mier, CFA of Loop Capital, remains optimistic on the municipal market. He see upgrades outpacing downgrades and is looking for stable returns in the state and local sectors. He even has hopes for improvements in Illinois post election and believes that P3s and OPEB bonds may see more activity. John Hallacy is host.

The composite of the Leading Economic Index was off 0.1% in December following an unrevised 0.2% rise in November, the Conference Board said Thursday.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 to 199,000 in the Jan. 19 week, well below expectations for a 210,000 level.