S&P Global Ratings revised the outlook on Arizona’s AA issuer rating to positive from stable, citing the state’s “robust” economic growth, as well as its financial management. The move points to an expectation of a one-in-three chance of a rating upgrade over the next two years, according to the rating agency.  Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs

Private equity giant KKR is buying Philadelphia-based broker-dealer Janney Montgomery Scott LLC. Janney, which dates to 1832, operates as a full-service wealth management, investment banking, and asset management firm. KKR announced Tuesday that it will acquire the firm from The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, its owner since 1982. After the deal closes, Janney, which

Municipals were mixed Thursday, while U.S. Treasuries were firmer five years and out and equities ended mixed after data showed the economy grew at a hotter-than-expected pace in the second quarter. “News that U.S. economic growth accelerated faster than expected in the second quarter has sent market participants on a roller-coaster ride,” said José Torres,

A pair of municipal bond veterans have left Preston Hollow Community Capital to launch their own shop that will source high-yield muni deals to alternative asset manager Fundamental Advisors. Charlie Visconsi and Ron Van Den Handel announced the formation of V2 Municipal Capital this week as an independent firm that will partner with New York-based Fundamental.

The Louisiana State Bond Commission approved three bond issues totaling more than $3 billion on Wednesday. The commission approved a $1.33 billion to $2 billion bond to be backed by tolls on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, a state general obligation bond of up to $1 billion, and gave preliminary approval to a state gas

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has fined Philadelphia-based broker-dealer Janney Montgomery Scott $65,000 for reporting inaccurate times of trade on 391 municipal securities transactions, violating Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Rules G-14 on time of trade and G-27 on supervision. Without admitting or denying the findings, the firm agreed to a censure and a total fine

Municipals were little changed in secondary trading Tuesday as the busy primary market took focus, led by two billion-dollar-plus deals from the Texas Transportation Commission and South Carolina Public Service Authority. U.S. Treasuries were firmer and equities were up toward the close. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Tuesday was at 63%, the three-year at 65%, the

The First Circuit Court of Appeals signaled an interest in revisiting its decision that Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority bond holders have a lien on net revenues. The three judges who ruled on the lien in mid-June said Monday they wanted written responses from all parties on the petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc.