News and Information from Bond Buyer

After amassing nearly $2 billion in unused bonding authority from Louisiana and Florida the past few years, BioNitrogen Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 3.

The Navajo Nation closed its first-ever bond transaction this week when it sold $52.9 million of investment-grade general obligation bonds in a private placement.

Members of the Federal Open Market Committee supported the idea of including a reference to the possibility of raising rates at its December meeting in its statement, although members at that meeting wanted more information before deciding to raise rates, according to minutes from the meeting, released Wednesday.

The Internal Revenue Service has sent a final notice to the City of Scottsdale, Ariz., Municipal Property Corp. claiming that some of the $65 million of bonds issued in 2013 to refinance the initial term of a lease for a garage are taxable.

Higher interest rates could challenge New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority over the next few years, said its chief financial officer.

Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White on Wednesday declined to take a position on a bill that would increase hedge fund reporting in the wake of fund purchases of Puerto Rico’s debt, saying it has both pros and cons..

The Nov. 10 agreement between the town of Morristown, N.J., and Atlantic Health System on Morristown Medical Center property tax appeals could have a "ripple effect" for no-for-profit hospitals across the U.S., according to Moody's Investors Service.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Housing Starts Sept.: 1.191M Oct.: 1.162M Oct.: 1.060M Building Permits Sept.: 1.105M Oct.: 1.150M Oct.: 1.150M

The Federal Open Market Committee was "prudent" to not raise rates at its last two meetings, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Rob Kaplan, who noted that accommodation, although not necessarily near zero rates, would be appropriate for "some time."

Prices of top rated municipal bonds were stronger at mid-session, according to traders, as more new issues hit the market.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating on Lakewood Ranch Community Development District No. 5, Fla.'s series 2007 bonds to BBB-plus from BBB.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating on Fishers, Ind.'s general obligation debt one notch to AA-plus from AA.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it has raised its rating on Miami-Dade County, Fla.'s solid waste system revenue bonds to AA-minus from A-plus.

Rhode Island selected Public Resources Advisory Group as its financial advisor, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner announced.

Municipal bond traders were set for more supply to price on Wednesday after seeing over $4 billion of new deals hit the market on Tuesday.

Nov. 18, 2015 Midwest: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Illinois A3/A+/A+ 1.05 3.01 3.91 4.89 Indiana Aaa/AAA/AA+ 0.3 1.37 2.28 3.26 Iowa Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.3 1.38 2.28 3.26 Michigan Aa2/AA/AA 0.34 1.44 2.39 3.39 Minnesota Aa1/AA+/AA+ 0.31 1.35 2.22 3.18 Missouri Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.3 1.3 2.17 3.15 Nebraska NR/AAA/NR 0.3 1.39 2.33 3.34 North Dakota Aa1/AA+/NR 0.33 1.44 2.36 3.34 Ohio Aa1/AA+/AA+ 0.32 1.41 2.32 3.31 South Dakota NR/AA+/AA+ 0.34 1.43 2.36 3.36 Wisconsin Aa2/AA/AA 0.33 1.37 2.33 3.29

11/17/2015 11/10/2015 State # Iss Amount ($000) # Iss Amount ($000) Chg in Amt ($000s) Illinois 15 $513,145 11 $595,985 -$82,840 Indiana 15 59,825 12 33,145 26,680 Iowa 8 69,250 2 3,110 66,140 Michigan 10 113,005 7 87,920 25,085 Minnesota 21 171,920 19 172,415 -495 Missouri 9 184,335 2 5,935 178,400 Nebraska 1 179,400 1 179,400 0 North Dakota 1 10,220 4 104,075 -93,855 Ohio 8 45,310 5 115,355 -70,045 South Dakota 0 0 0 0 0 Wisconsin 22 476,215 11 335,895 140,320

Wednesday, November 18 Issuer St Description Amount

Wednesday, November 18 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of November 16 Issuer St Description Amount