News and Information from Bond Buyer

October housing starts skyrocketed 25.5%, the biggest increase since 1982, data reported by the Commerce Department Thursday morning showed.

The region's manufacturing sector expanded in November, although the general business conditions index declined to 7.6 from 12.8 in October, this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

Gradual increases in the fed funds rate remain appropriate as the neutral rate stays at a low level by historical standards, Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen testified Thursday.

Nov. 17, 2016 Southeast: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Alabama Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.87 1.55 2.32 3.15 Florida Aa1/AAA/AAA 0.85 1.53 2.32 3.16 Georgia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.83 1.48 2.21 3.01 Kentucky Aa2/A+/AA- 0.88 1.62 2.41 3.25 Louisiana Aa3/AA/AA 0.92 1.81 2.77 3.61 Mississippi Aa2/AA/AA 0.86 1.58 2.43 3.27 North Carolina Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.83 1.46 2.18 3 South Carolina Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.83 1.47 2.23 3.04 Tennessee Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.83 1.46 2.19 3.01 Virginia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.82 1.45 2.18 2.99 West Virginia Aa1/AA-/AA 0.86 1.56 2.35 3.18

11/16/2016 11/9/2016 State Iss Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Alabama 3 $42,410 4 $696,540 -654,130 Florida 10 648,855 7 355,950 292,905 Georgia 1 33,060 0 0 33,060 Kentucky 7 137,355 7 82,560 54,795 Louisiana 1 70,000 3 180,200 -110,200 Mississippi 1 223,630 1 226,560 -2,930 North Carolina 1 25,000 1 25,000 0 South Carolina 6 293,195 8 316,885 -23,690 Tennessee 3 42,240 6 223,321 -181,081 Virginia 4 571,880 2 112,510 459,370 West Virginia 3 143,000 2 90,015 52,985

Thursday, November 17 Issuer St Description Amount

Thursday, November 17 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of November 14 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of November 14 Issuer St Description Amount

ALABAMA

ALABAMA

California state budget watchdog releases positive economic forecast, but cautions about federal policy unknowns.

Government

Government

Many local governments are not benefiting from gambling tax revenues in what has become an oversaturated market, a panel of state officials and policy analysts said here on Wednesday.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower office fielded more allegations involving municipal securities and public pensions in fiscal year 2016 than ever before, according to a report the office sent to Congress about recent whistleblower activity.

As Rep. Devin Nunes joins the executive committee of Trump’s transition team, some state and local officials worry he will gain support for his controversial pension bill next year.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration released sobering fiscal projections Wednesday that show the state’s bill backlog could top $47 billion in fiscal 2022 if lawmakers don’t resolve a political stalemate and make progress on balancing the books and reforming pensions.

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts has announced the 2016 winner of its annual Peter Fugiel Scholarship and acknowledged two honorable mentions.

Municipal bonds were mixed on Wednesday. Yields were as many as two basis points higher, though they were unchanged on most maturities, according to traders.