News and Information from Bond Buyer

The region's manufacturing sector expanded at a faster pace in April, as the general business conditions index climbed to 7.5 from 5.0 in March, this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The New York City Transitional Finance Authority's $650 million is slated to be priced for institutions on Thursday after a two-day order period for retail investors.

The New York region's service sector activity "expanded following a pause in February and March," according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's April Business Leaders Survey, released Thursday.

Apr. 16, 2015 Southeast: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Alabama Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.19 1.27 2.05 2.92 Florida Aa1/AAA/AAA 0.23 1.32 2.08 2.99 Georgia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.19 1.22 1.95 2.82 Kentucky Aa2/AA+/AA+ 0.22 1.35 2.15 3.04 Louisiana Aa2/AA/AA 0.22 1.4 2.23 3.12 Mississippi Aa2/AA/AA+ 0.22 1.33 2.14 3 North Carolina Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.19 1.22 1.95 2.82 South Carolina Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.19 1.24 1.98 2.85 Tennessee Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.19 1.24 1.98 2.84 Virginia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.19 1.21 1.93 2.8 West Virginia Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.22 1.32 2.11 3

4/15/2015 4/8/2015 State Iss Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Alabama 3 $200,275 3 $75,390 124,885 Florida 7 660,985 8 891,830 -230,845 Georgia 4 177,570 2 95,590 81,980 Kentucky 5 44,030 6 68,545 -24,515 Louisiana 3 46,100 4 81,500 -35,400 Mississippi 0 0 0 0 0 North Carolina 6 287,440 2 275,000 12,440 South Carolina 2 42,185 2 63,485 ?21,300 Tennessee 10 272,045 6 267,075 4,970 Virginia 8 835,995 7 894,045 ?58,050 West Virginia 2 152,440 2 65,000 87,440

Thursday, April 16 Issuer St Description Amount

Thursday, April 16 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of April 13 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of April 13 Issuer St Description Amount

ARKANSAS

ALABAMA

Government

The municipal bond primary stole the spotlight again on Wednesday as the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey offering was priced for institutions and the New York City Transitional Finance Authority held a second day of retail orders on its bond deal. Prices of top-rated munis finished mixed in the secondary, according to bond traders.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating on Grand Traverse County, Mich.'s existing limited-tax general obligation Michigan Transportation Fund bonds to AA-plus from AA.

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe stayed on top of bond counsel rankings as all but one of the top 15 firms posted an increase in par amount of deals handled.

A $15.1 billion, 16-year transportation package proposed by Washington State House Democrats includes more than $8 billion of new projects to be funded with an increase in the state gasoline tax and up to $4.3 billion of state general obligation bonds.

In a proposed $72 billion budget, Ohio lawmakers dropped all of Gov. John Kasich's proposals to increase taxes to offset a large income-tax cut, while keeping the income tax cut.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating on Hanover Public School District, Pa.'s existing general obligation debt to A-plus from AA-minus.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fined two firms $55,000 for muni trade rule violations and suspended a former broker, as well as fined him to pay $5,000 in fines and ordered him to disgorge $2,837 of ill-gotten gains plus interest, for making unsuitable municipal securities recommendations to clients.

Legislation pending in Florida would allow municipal utilities to securitize charges on their customers' water and sewer bills to finance capital.