News and Information from Bond Buyer

Top- rated municipal bonds ended stronger on Thursday, according to traders, with yields on some maturities weakening by as much as seven basis points.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is proposing two clarifying exceptions to its rule preventing dealers from buying or selling bonds below their stated minimum denominations

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Initial Claims 3/26: 276,000 4/2: 270,000 4/2: 267,000 Continuing Claims 3/19: 2.172M 3/26: 2.175M 3/26: 2.191M Consumer Credit Jan.: +$14.9B Feb.: +$14.3B Feb.: +$17.2B

Consumer credit increased by $17.2 billion in February to $3.568 trillion, the Federal Reserve reported Monday.

The South Carolina Public Service Authority’s A1 bond ratings were confirmed Tuesday by Moody's Investors Service, which cited progress on the construction of two first-in-kind nuclear units.

U.S. ports and their private-sector partners plan to spend a whopping $154.8 billion on port-related freight and passenger infrastructure over the next five years, according to a survey by the American Association of Port Authorities.

New Jersey Transit has named former Amtrak chief operating officer William Crosbie as the agency’s new executive director.

Top-rated municipal bonds were stronger at mid-session, according to traders, with yields on some maturities weakening by as much as six basis points.

Alaska municipalities may bear the brunt of the state’s oil-driven budget crisis.

The Internal Revenue Service is changing the wrong regulation as it seeks to curb the perceived abuse that tax-exempt, governmental purpose bonds are being issued for the impermissible benefit of private developers.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $24 billion three-year notes on April 12.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $12 billion 29-year, 10-month 2-1/2% bonds on April 14.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $20 billion 9-year 10-month 1 5/8% notes on April 13.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $28 billion 91-day bills and $24 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority said that its restructuring agreements with its creditors still are on track after the island government adopted a law allowing a debt payment moratorium.

Atlantic City faces a severe liquidity problem coupled with a huge structural deficit, Lenny Jones, Managing Director at Moody’s Investors Service, tells The Bond Buyer. On Monday, Moody’s cut the city’s credit rating to Caa3 and Jones says bondholders now face an increased likelihood of taking significant losses. He also looks ahead at several possible financial and political scenarios the city could face.

The municipal bond market is poised to see the last of the week’s big deals hit the screens on Thursday, with California and New York issuers dominating the new issue slate.

ARKANSAS

ALABAMA

Apr. 7, 2016 Southeast: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Alabama Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.58 1.06 1.73 2.74 Florida Aa1/AAA/AAA 0.57 1.06 1.76 2.73 Georgia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.56 1.01 1.63 2.6 Kentucky Aa2/A+/AA+ 0.6 1.15 1.83 2.83 Louisiana Aa3/AA/AA 0.71 1.46 2.08 3.06 Mississippi Aa2/AA/AA+ 0.58 1.11 1.86 2.86 North Carolina Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.56 1 1.62 2.6 South Carolina Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.56 1.04 1.67 2.64 Tennessee Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.56 1.04 1.66 2.61 Virginia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.55 1 1.62 2.59 West Virginia Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.59 1.12 1.79 2.78