S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday upgraded Louisiana’s general obligation bonds to AA from AA-minus. S&P also raised the long-term rating on the state’s appropriation-backed debt to AA-minus from A-plus. “The upgrades reflect our view of Louisiana’s demonstrated commitment to improving and maintaining reserves above levels that we consider very strong and the state’s ongoing effort
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Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the UK inflation myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. The UK’s inflation rate fell sharply in February, bolstering arguments for the Bank of England to start cutting interest rates this year as it makes headway in bringing price growth under control. The consumer prices
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Hinterhaus Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images Inflation in the U.S. has hit a speed bump. While the rate of price increases has come down significantly from its peak in the summer of 2022, the most recent reading from the consumer price index showed overall inflation stuck at just above 3%. Core inflation — which
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State tax revenue collections are softening and some are even negative compared to a year earlier, analysts say. “Most states are now grappling with weakened tax revenues and growing uncertainties, particularly related to the presidential election, potential federal policy changes, and geopolitical crises,” said Urban Institute Principal Research Associate Lucy Dadayan. “Overall, growth in state
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Three months after Florida’s private intercity passenger train system, Brightline, disclosed a 21% decline in projected ridership for 2024, it’s cutting its forecast again.  The Fortress Investment Group-backed Brightline now anticipates carrying a combined 4.9 million passengers this year on its new long-distance service between Miami and the Orlando airport and the five-year-old South Florida
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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Jeremy Hunt has hinted that the UK government may hold the next general election in October, which would give the ruling Conservative party less than seven months to turn around its dire position in the
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Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Fox News town hall at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 20, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Donald Trump and his co-defendants were in talks with insurance giant Chubb for a $464 million appeal bond in the former
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The municipal primary market was active Tuesday while triple-A scales were little moved despite U.S. Treasury gains ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting conclusion Wednesday. Various large new-issues were well-received and cleared the market Tuesday, with several repricing to lower yields. Despite several larger deals entering the primary, the large amounts of cash
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Chris Wattie | Reuters Economists expect the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged at the end of its two-day meeting this week, even though many experts anticipate the central bank is preparing to start cutting rates in the months ahead. In prepared remarks earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers don’t want to ease
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The number of Federal Reserve rate cuts expected this year has dwindled and the first one isn’t likely before June, analyst said, as inflation numbers continue to come in hotter-than-expected. While the market was initially expecting six or seven 25 basis point cuts this year, Gary Quinzel, vice president of portfolio consulting at Wealth Enhancement
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Dealers are stepping up lobbying efforts and bringing the Municipal Bonds for America Coalition, a group headed by Bond Dealers of America, back into view as the tax debate begins again. The coalition, comprising investors, underwriters, municipal advisors, insurers and bond counsel has pounced on the idea of tax reform after President Biden made tax
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Vladimir Putin is cruising to victory in Russia’s presidential election, cementing his rule for another six years amid his invasion of Ukraine and brutal suppression of dissent. The result of the three-day election ending on Sunday is a foregone conclusion after the Kremlin outlawed all criticism of Putin or the war and blocked any opposition
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