Markets

After a week that saw few deals come to market, municipal bond traders will see the calendar perk up a bit next week as several issues of size are set to hit the screens.

The November trade deficit widened to $50.5 billion from a revised $48.9 billion deficit in October.

U.S. job gains slowed by more than forecast in December, wage gains picked up slightly and the unemployment rate held at the lowest level since 2000, adding to signs of a full-employment economy.

Municipal bonds turned mixed on a cold and snowy day in the Northeast as stocks surged to historic highs on Thursday.

Mayor Keisha Bottoms said housing affordability, transparency, public safety, education, and transportation are priorities.

Municipal bonds were mixed at midday as the primary was set to heat up the despite cold weather and snow in the Northeast.

The municipal primary heats up on Thursday as the New Jersey Economic Development Authority gets ready to come to market with $381.195 million of state lease revenue bonds.

Initial jobless claims rose to 250,000 in the week ended Dec. 30, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Private-sector employment increased by 250,000 in December, on a seasonally adjusted basis, ADP estimated Thursday.

While Wall Street firms agree that municipal bond volume will drop from 2017, their estimates of how much range from 8% to 34%.