Microsoft Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. are leading borrowers in the U.S. selling at least $17.3 billion of bonds in the busiest Friday this year as issuers stymied by Hurricane Sandy try to complete deals before the U.S. presidential election.

Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is selling $2.25 billion of securities in three parts and New York-based Verizon is raising $4.5 billion in its first bond sale this year, according to people familiar with the transactions. Sales exceed this year's daily average of $6.1 billion and compare with $2.9 billion on Oct. 26, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Issuers rushed to market at the end of a week shortened by a virtual three-day hiatus amid the biggest Atlantic storm in history. As electricity and mass transit are gradually restored, issuers are looking to lock in record-low borrowing costs after today's better-than-expected jobs report and before next week's presidential elections, according to Jody Lurie at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC.