ADP estimates that non-farm payrolls for January fell 22,000, the smallest decline in two years.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had expected the report to show 30,000 jobs lost.
The parent of New York's Metropolitan Opera fell deeper into junk-bond status this week, while the New School university has a lower investment-grade rating.
Currently, it's a Goldilocks market, said Kim Olsan, senior fixed income portfolio manager at NewSquare Capital: "Just right enough for just enough people, and steady [enough] that there doesn't seem to be any [big] price pressure at the moment."
"A slightly less hawkish decision than had been anticipated," said Art Hogan, B. Riley Wealth chief market strategist.
U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain suggested the board should include a contingent vehicle instrument in the proposed plan of adjustment.
The drought-stricken Texas city could face a water emergency as soon as May or October under scenarios presented to the city council.
There is a lot of money out there, and investors seem comfortable putting it to work.