What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 22, 2023

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on U.S. housing markets, sales of previously-owned homes, housing starts, and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. NAHB: U.S. Home Builder Confidence Rises in May The National Association of Home Builders reported a five-point gain in home builder confidence in current housing market conditions in May. The index reading for May rose to 50 in May as compared to April’s reading of 45. Analysts expected a reading of 45 for May. Readings above 50 indicate a majority of home builders are positive about current housing market…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 15, 2023

Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on inflation, consumer sentiment, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Inflation Rate Rises in April, Slower Pace Expected in Coming Months The  U.S. Labor Department reported the month-to-month pace of inflation rose by 0.40 percent in April and matched analysts’ expectations. April’s reading surpassed the March reading of 0.10 percent month-to-month inflationary growth. Inflation rose by 4.90 percent year-over-year in April. Analysts expect inflationary growth to continue, but at a slower pace through 2023. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors, rose at a month-to-month pace of 0.40…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 8, 2023

Last week’s economic news included reporting on construction spending, the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Construction Spending Increases in March The Commerce Department reported that month-to-month construction spending rose by 0.30 percent and year-over-year construction spending increased by $1.83 trillion. Residential construction fell by -0.20 percent in March, which was the tenth consecutive monthly decline in residential construction spending. Non-residential construction spending rose by 0.70 percent in March for the ninth gain in the past 10 months. Fed Raises Key Interest Rate Range Federal Reserve policymakers raised…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 1, 2023

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home prices, sales of new homes, and pending home sales. Monthly and year-over-year readings for inflation were published along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims. February S&P Case-Shiller Housing Market Indices show slower home price growth National home prices continued to rise in February, but at a slower pace according to S&P Case-Shiller home price indices. Month-to-month home prices rose by  0.40 percent in February and matched analysts’ expectations, but were lower than January’s reading of  2.50 percent home price growth. S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-city home price index, which is frequently…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 17, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, retail sales, and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. March Inflation Slows as Retail Sales Fall Inflation slowed to a month-to-month pace of 0.10 percent in March as compared to February’s reading of 0.40 percent growth. Year-over-year inflation rose by 5.00 percent and fell short of analysts’ expected reading of 5.10 percent year-over-year inflation and February’s year-over-year inflation rate of 6.00 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile readings for food and fuel, rose by 0.40 percent in March and matched analysts’ expectations.  The year-over-year reading…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 10, 2023

Last week's economic reporting included readings on construction spending and labor sector readings on employment and the national unemployment rate for March. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Commerce Department: February Construction Spending Falls The U.S. Commerce Department reported less construction spending in February than in January as construction spending fell by 0.10 percent to a year-over-year reading of $1.844 trillion for all types of construction. Year-over-year construction spending increased by 5.20 percent.  While total construction spending fell in February, residential construction spending increased. Spending on single-family home construction slowed due to builders’ concerns over…
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