News and Information from Bond Buyer

The strong performance of the New York Mets this season, which resulted in their appearance in the National League Championship Series this week, may also help the team’s bonds.

The region's non-manufacturing sector declined in October, as the general business conditions index fell to 17.5 from 29.3 in September, this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The municipal bond market was awaiting some large new deals to hit the market on Tuesday, led by issuers in New York and California.

Oct. 20, 2015 Southwest: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Arizona Aa3/AA+/NR 0.28 1.35 2.27 3.34 Arkansas Aa1/AA/NR 0.25 1.25 2.1 3.16 Colorado Aa1/AA/NR 0.25 1.31 2.2 3.29 Kansas Aa1/AA+/NR 0.23 1.31 2.2 3.25 New Mexico Aaa/AA+/NR 0.23 1.25 2.11 3.19 Oklahoma Aa2/AA+/AA+ 0.27 1.34 2.22 3.29 Texas Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.26 1.3 2.2 3.25 Utah Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.23 1.19 2.01 3.07

10/19/2015 10/12/2015 State Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Arizona 2 $105,990 1 $5,990 $100,000 Arkansas 5 23,605 6 58,060 -34,455 Colorado 4 25,620 3 36,455 -10,835 Kansas 15 154,290 8 159,560 -5,270 New Mexico 2 32,095 0 0 32,095 Oklahoma 3 2,705 5 6,305 -3,600 Texas 42 1,055,855 34 1,373,750 -317,895 Utah 2 22,230 1 33,000 -10,770

Tuesday, October 20 Issuer St Description Amount

Tuesday, October 20 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of October 19 Issuer St Description Amount

ARKANSAS

ILLINOIS

Government

Fitch Ratings downgraded Illinois one notch to BBB-plus.

Illinois’ deferral of its November pension contribution over a cash flow crunch is a negative credit factor, said Moody’s Investors Service.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the rating on $26.8 billion in outstanding Illinois general obligation (GO) bonds to 'BBB+' from 'A-'.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker outlined an initiative for developing unused or underused state properties into affordable or market-rate housing opportunities.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s strong financials and independent governance are key strengths that have staved off the credit hits suffered by Chicago and other local governments, says Moody’s Investors Service.

California State Public Works Board lease revenue bonds were affirmed ahead of plans to issue $210 million to fund prison construction projects.

California's first quarter revenues came in $744 million higher than the $22.5 billion anticipated

Prices of top-rated municipal bonds finished unchanged on Monday, traders said, as the market saw primary market action kick off with the retail pricing of a deal from the New York City Transitional Finance Authority.

Gov. Dannel Malloy on Monday acknowledged an estimated $121 million shortfall in Connecticut’s budget and called for bipartisan meetings.