News and Information from Bond Buyer

The region's manufacturing sector decreased at a slower pace in February, as the general business conditions index plunged to 6.3 from 9.4 in January, this month's Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Report on Business indicates.

The composite index of Leading Economic Indicators was up 0.3% in January following a revised unchanged in December, first reported as a 1.0% surge, the Conference Board reported Thursday.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $13 billion 2-year bills on Feb. 26.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $29 billion seven-year notes on Thursday, Feb. 27.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $25 billion 91-day bills and $25 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed an executive order to create an Internet portal for what he called "widespread amounts of raw government data."

The value of bonds in the municipal market is still largely a function of lack of supply, even as developments in Puerto Rico and the Fed's tapering policy contribute to market dynamics.

California's drought emergency has heightened the need for financial aid, as the state and federal government pledge to send funds to communities in need.

Initial claims for U.S. state unemployment benefits slipped 3,000 to 336,000 in the Feb. 15 week, within the range in which claims have settled since late December, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

The U.S. January consumer price report showed no signs of accelerating inflation. Meanwhile, initial unemployment claims information covering the Feb. payroll survey period suggest little movement in labor market conditions. These data suggest a steady-state, modest growth economy.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Housing Starts Dec.: 1.048M Jan.: 950,000 Jan.: 880,000 Building Permits Dec.: 991,000 Jan.: 980,000 Jan.: 937,000 PPI Dec.: +0.1% Jan.: +0.1% Jan.: +0.2% PPI Core Dec.: unch Jan.: +0.2% Jan.: +0.2%

Feb. 20, 2014 Southeast: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Alabama Aa1/AA/AA+ 0.19 1.19 2.72 4.07 Florida Aa1/AAA/AAA 0.19 1.19 2.7 4.06 Georgia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.17 1.1 2.52 3.87 Kentucky Aa2/AA+/AA 0.19 1.23 2.75 4.12 Louisiana Aa2/AA/AA 0.2 1.22 2.74 4.04 Mississippi Aa2/AA/AA+ 0.18 1.2 2.69 4.05 North Carolina Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.2 1.22 2.74 4.04 South Carolina Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.17 1.1 2.52 3.87 Tennessee Aaa/AA+/AAA 0.17 1.11 2.57 3.92 Virginia Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.15 1.1 2.52 3.87 West Virginia Aa1/AA/AA 0.19 1.23 2.74 4.11

2/19/2014 2/12/2014 State Iss Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Alabama 0 $0 1 $5,995 -$5,995 Florida 9 442,070 4 236,235 205,835 Georgia 8 302,840 6 146,730 156,110 Kentucky 6 54,140 5 30,730 23,410 Louisiana 5 286,130 4 29,450 256,680 Mississippi 2 1,450 3 5,700 -4,250 North Carolina 0 0 4 283,795 -283,795 South Carolina 3 42,400 2 61,805 -19,405 Tennessee 3 18,540 2 11,575 6,965 Virginia 2 19,505 2 19,505 0 West Virginia 0 0 0 0 0

Thursday, February 20 Issuer St Description Amount

Thursday, February 20 Issuer St Description Amount

Tuesday, March 11 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of February 18 Issuer St Description Amount

ARKANSAS

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ETFs and mutual funds are well-positioned for rising interest rates because they have most of their fixed income holdings in short-term government bonds, according to Morningstar Inc.