News and Information from Bond Buyer

Prices of top-rated municipal bonds were weaker at mid-session, according to traders, as yields on some maturities increased by as much as four basis points.

The Treasury Department Tuesday auctioned $40 billion of four-week bills at a 0.045% high yield, a price of 99.996500.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Consumer Confidence July: 91.0 Aug.: 93.3 Aug.: 101.5 New Home Sales June: 481,000 July: 510,000 July: 507,000

The region's non-manufacturing sector climbed in August, as the general business conditions index increased to 15.4 from 8.1 in July, this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

Service sector activity "continued to grow at a healthy pace in August," according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond service-sector activity survey, released Tuesday.

Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region "activity slowed in August," according to the monthly business activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, as the manufacturing index slumped to zero in August from 13 in July.

The consumer confidence index rose to 101.5 in August from a revised 91.0 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Sales of new single-family homes climbed 5.4% to a 507,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate in July, according to data released by the Commerce Department Tuesday.

A budget compromise this year to reduce sequester cuts seems unlikely, and agencies like the Defense Department have fewer opportunities to reduce the impact of spending cuts.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating for credit program to A-plus from A on Bridgeport Exempted Village School District, Ohio's series 2012 unlimited-tax general obligation refunding bonds.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it has raised its underlying rating on Gilmer County, Ga.'s general obligation bonds and Gilmer County Building Authority's GO equivalent lease revenue bonds to AA-minus from A-plus.

Moody's Investors Service said it upgraded the rating on Yavapai County Community College District, Ariz.'s $11 million of rated revenue-backed debt to A1 from A2.

The municipal bond market is preparing for start of the new issue calendar on Tuesday, which is headlined by sales from New Jersey and California. Traders will also be looking at muni yields, which have been buffeted by volatility surrounding the turmoil in the equities market.

Tuesday, August 25 Issuer St Description Amount

Tuesday, August 25 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of August 24 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of August 24 Issuer St Description Amount

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