Financial Reports

21 Oct 2019

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 21st, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on builder confidence in housing market conditions, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also reported. Builder Confidence in Housing Markets Rises The NAHB Housing Market Index rose in October from September’s index reading of 68 to 71.Home builders were confident in market conditions due to strong demand for homes caused by low mortgage rates and slower growth in home prices. Obstacles including tariffs on building materials did not deter builder confidence; any reading above 50 on the Housing Market Index indicates that most builders…

15 Oct 2019

By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 15th, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic releases included readings on inflation, an essay from Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan and the monthly consumer sentiment index. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Inflation Flat in September Inflation did not change in September; August’s reading showed 0.10 percent growth, which matched the July reading. Falling gasoline prices caused the flat reading. Analysts said that cooling inflation may prompt Federal Reserve policymakers to cut the target Federal Funds interest rate range at their next meeting. The core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors rose 0.10 percent in September; analysts expected 0.20 percent growth based on August’s month-to-month…

07 Oct 2019

By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 7th, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic news included readings on construction spending, and labor reports on public and private sector jobs and the national unemployment rate. Weekly reports on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Construction Spending Ticks Up in August Commerce Department reporting on construction spending showed 0.10 percent growth in August as compared to a revised flat reading for July. Construction spending hit a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of $1.29 trillion for August. Analysts expected 0.40 percent growth, which was based on the original July reading of 0.10 percent growth. Residential construction spending rose 0.90 percent in August ; public construction spending rose 0.40 percent for the month. Factors impacting…

30 Sep 2019

By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 30th, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices along with data on new and pending home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and initial jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller: Home Price Gains Slow to Lowest Pace in 7 Years Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported slower home price growth in July with 3.20 percent growth year-over-year. There was no change in July’s reading for the 20-City Home Price Index as compared to June after seasonal adjustments. The top-three cities in Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index were Phoenix, Arizona with 5.80 percent home price growth year-over-year. Las Vegas, Nevada reported 4.70 percent growth and Charlotte, North Carolina home prices…

23 Sep 2019

By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 23rd, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing market conditions, Commerce Department reports on Housing starts and building permits issued and the National Association of Realtors® report on sales of previously owned homes. The Fed reduced its key interest rate and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Builder Confidence in Housing Market Improves, Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Rise The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index rose one point to an index reading of 68 in September. August’s reading was adjusted to 67 from an initial reading of 66. September’s reading matched the highest reading posted year-over-year.…

16 Sep 2019

By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 16th, 2019

Financial Reports

Last week’s economic news included readings on inflation, core inflation and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Lower Gas Prices Dampen August Inflation Rate Consumer prices fell in August; analysts attributed the decline to lower gasoline prices. August’s reading matched expectations, but was 0.20 percent lower than July’s reading. The Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors, rose by 0.30 percent and matched July’s reading. Analysts expected an August core inflation reading of 0.20 percent. Rising housing and healthcare costs indicated that overall inflation would rise in coming months. Core inflation rose to its highest level in 13 months…