News and Information from Bond Buyer

Muni market professionals would welcome a long-term transportation bill, and some believe the new year offers a window.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for November rose to 0.22 from a downwardly revised neutral level in October.

While stocks are suffering still and there is a chance of a government shutdown, municipals strengthen yet again to close out the second to last week of the year.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will name a permanent replacement for the departing John Hill in the spring.

UMB Bank also wants the Florida Department of Transportation to pay $75 million in damages.

The employment numbers are additional signs that the post-hurricane growth period is taking a pause.

With stocks and equities continuing their sell-off, munis continue to flex their muscles — even with a budget showdown in Washington taking place.

The agency met an important safety-law deadline and will implement a new law designed to improve its transparency and require better budget planning.

The SEC announced the settlement with former UBS broker Chris Rosenthal, the biggest yet from its ongoing flipping investigation.

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

The Independent Budget Office expects city debt service to rise to $8.4 billion in fiscal 2022 from $6.8 billion in fiscal 2020.

Although the Federal Reserve projects two rate hikes in 2019, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams stressed that those are based on expectations of economic conditions and are not a commitment.

The University of Michigan's final December consumer sentiment index reading was 98.3, compared to the preliminary December 97.5.

Hiring, firings, corruption, the new tax law and a volatile political climate shaped The Bond Buyer's list of most-read articles of 2018.

The region's services sector decelerated, as the general business conditions index slumped to 3.9 in December from 43.3 in November.

The weekly average yield to maturity of The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, was unchanged from 4.13% the week before.

The anticipated Series 54 Test outline was released Thursday afternoon and municipal advisors can now start prepping.

The municipal market held firm on Thursday, as new issuance for the year ground to a near halt amid demand for safe investments.

Moody's upgraded Paulding County. Ohio, to Aa3.

Funding levels for grant programs won't be set until next year.