News and Information from Bond Buyer

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual NAHB Housing Index March: 58 April: 59 April: 58

Top-rated municipal bonds were stronger in early activity, according to traders, as the market looks ahead to what should be an exciting week with about $7.2 billion of new supply set to be sold.

The New York region's service sector activity "was flat," according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's April Business Leaders Survey, released Monday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes was unchanged as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index remained at 58 in April.

Monday, April 18 Issuer St Description Amount

Monday, April 18 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of April 18 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of April 18 Issuer St Description Amount

NORTH DAKOTA

ALABAMA

Government

Ryan A. Bendzinski, part owner of Michigan based-Bendzinski & Co. Municipal Financial Advisors, died April 11. He was 32.

Orange County, Calif., anticipates forming community facilities districts each year over the coming decade that would issue unrated dirt bonds to pay for infrastructure on a 23,000 master-planned community.

Puerto Rico got a mixed March employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday.

Munis strengthened at Friday’s close, as yields were as much as two basis points lower on some maturities, according to traders.

Nassau County's sales tax revenue surged in the first quarter and is already close to meeting its budgeted target for the year.

State officials say a 45% road funding shortfall will cripple Minnesota’s highway expansion plans by 2018.

Two House Republicans presented a committee with their legislative proposals to reform or abolish the federal income tax system, sparking concerns from some members of the municipal bond community.

Cook County, Ill., is eyeing a refunding of $334 million of 2006 general obligation bonds ahead of a new money sale of as much as $140 million later in the year.

Some $227 million of U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Water and Power Authority (WAPA) revenue bonds received downgrades from Fitch ratings Friday due to a “persistent strain” on the issuer’s liquidity.