News and Information from Bond Buyer

Fitch Ratings lowered the issuer default ratings on four Ohio school districts after a review under new criteria.

Top shelf municipal bonds finished stronger on Thursday, traders said, with yields on some maturities falling by as much as four basis points while the last of the week’s big new issues came to market.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.’s bond outlook is positive and could lead to a rating upgrade because of its financial separation from Vanderbilt Medical Center, S&P Global Ratings said.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board filed an amendment with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday to make clear that although its revised rule against pay-to-play practices does not take effect until Aug. 17, there is still a two-year lookback under the current rule for individuals who make contributions before that date and then become associated with dealers.

After ending the 2016 fiscal year with a surplus, Arkansas began the new fiscal year with revenues running 1.7% below projections, officials said.

Assured Guaranty Ltd., the biggest municipal bond insurer, reported a decline in second-quarter profit as it sought to build its financial strength and increased reserves against potential losses on Puerto Rico debt.

Detroit Public Schools' $212 million of state aid-backed bonds received a downgrade to junk from S&P Global Ratings.

Maryland’s $5.6 billion Purple Line P3 in jeopardy after federal judge halts the project over ridership worries.

Sales tax revenue collected by local governments in New York state rose 1.7%, or $130 million, in the first half of the year, according to a report released Thursday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Top shelf municipal bonds were stronger at mid-session, traders said, as the last of the week’s big new issues came to market.

The controversial $15.7 billion plan to build two giant water tunnels in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is moving closer to reality though huge financial and legal challenges loom.

The eight members of a recently named congressional task force on Puerto Rico's economy are soliciting input from both public and private Rico stakeholders as they begin assessing possible federal changes that could help the territory.

Connecticut sold $250 million in tax-exempt general obligation bonds at a record low overall interest rate, said Treasurer Denise Nappier.

WASHINGTON (MNI) - The value of new factory orders fell by 1.5% in June, a slightly smaller drop than the 1.6% decline expected, with nondurables orders up 1.0% and durables orders revised up slightly to a 3.9% decline, data released by the Commerce Department Thursday morning showed.

Municipal bond traders are set to see the last of the week’s big new issues come to market on Thursday.

Underhanded pay-to-play practices may come back in play.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits rose by 3,000 to a level of 269,000 in the July 30 week, above expectations for a 263,000 level, but remaining relatively low, data released by the Labor Department Thursday showed.

Thursday, August 4 Issuer St Description Amount

Thursday, August 4 Issuer St Description Amount

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