News and Information from Bond Buyer

The consumer confidence index grew to 96.5 in December from a revised 92.6 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

The municipal bond market was set for another quiet day, with limited trading activity seen for Tuesday and no bond deals of over $1 million on the calendar.

The November seasonally adjusted advance goods trade deficit was $60.5 billion, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating on the town of Saratoga, N.Y.'s general obligation bonds to AA from AA-minus.

Moody's Investors Service said it has downgraded to A3 from A2 the rating on the city of Westland, Mich.'s $3.3 million of rated general obligation limited tax debt.

Moody's Investors Service said it has downgraded to Ba2 from Baa3 the rating on Hayfield, Minn.'s $3 million of Moody's-rated general obligation debt.

Tuesday, December 29 Issuer St Description Amount

Tuesday, December 29 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of January 4 Issuer St Description Amount

CALIFORNIA

Dec. 29, 2015 Southwest: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Arizona Aa3/AA+/NR 0.55 1.41 2.18 3.09 Arkansas Aa1/AA/NR 0.52 1.31 2.01 2.91 Colorado Aa1/AA/NR 0.52 1.37 2.11 3.04 Kansas Aa1/AA+/NR 0.5 1.37 2.11 3 New Mexico Aaa/AA+/NR 0.5 1.31 2.02 2.94 Oklahoma Aa2/AA+/AA+ 0.54 1.4 2.13 3.04 Texas Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.53 1.35 2.08 2.99 Utah Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.5 1.25 1.92 2.82

12/28/2015 12/21/2015 State Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Arizona 1 $5,990 1 5,990 $0 Arkansas 0 0 0 0 0 Colorado 0 0 0 0 0 Kansas 0 0 0 0 0 New Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 Oklahoma 0 0 8 15,650 -15,650 Texas 11 837,545 5 241,905 595,640 Utah 0 0 0 0 0

Government

Moody's Investors Service has placed the ratings of eleven local government credits in Indiana and Ohio on review with the rating direction uncertain as analysts await updated financial data from the group.

Standard & Poor's dropped Michigan Public Power Agency's AMP Fremont Energy Center project revenue bonds one notch to BBB due to the weakened operations of some cities that participate in the project.

Puerto Rico's governor lashed out at a federal government court brief that the governor said undermined the commonwealth's self-governing status.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is transitioning the city of Lincoln Park back to local control from state-imposed emergency management.

Municipal bonds finished stronger on Monday in quiet dealings, according to traders, as yields on some top-rated maturities fell by as much as two basis points. Many workers returned to their desks only to see a very quiet week loom ahead in the primary, with no bond deals of more than $1 million on the calendar until 2016.

Illinois returns to the market in January with a $480 million bond deal after a 20-month absence during which its ratings fell and its unpaid bill backlog skyrocketed, and with a state budget six months overdue.

Washington State Treasurer James McIntire surprised insiders with his decision to not seek re-election after two terms in a position that includes oversight of state bond sales.