Moody's

Washington has paid off $198 million of its bonds supporting the mixed-use development at The Wharf fifteen years before their maturity date bringing some good financial news to a city wrestling with its budget.

Maryland is preparing for upcoming bond sales as the state treasurer responds to a Moody's downgrade by suggesting the state part ways with the rating agency.

Municipals were cut up four basis points, depending on the curve, through noon.

Moody's Ratings cited low liquidity as a reason for the downgrade.

Moody's Ratings revised the outlook to negative from stable but affirmed the A1 rating on the CTA's senior lien sales tax bonds.

Moody's upgraded Minneapolis to Aaa. The outlook is stable, reflecting an expectation that a strong financial profile will help absorb cost pressures.

Suffolk's improved finances won the county its third rating upgrade this year.

Northern Illinois University is going to market with $62 million of certificates of participation to finance energy-saving projects affecting 50 buildings.

The downgrade affects $2.1 billion in bond debt and extends to its utility debt.

Moody's also upgraded other Florida locality bonds recently as a result of a revised cities and counties rating methodology.