25
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 25th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings on homebuilder confidence in housing market conditions, minutes of January's Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and existing home sales reported by the National Association of Realtors®. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Rises to 4-Month High Homebuilder confidence rose for the second consecutive month in February and four points higher to an index reading of 62, which exceeded analyst expectations of a one-point increase in builder confidence. Components of the NAHB Housing Market Index also rose. Builder confidence in current market conditions rose three…
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19
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 19th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included readings on the Consumer Price Index, Core CPI, Retail Sales and Retail Sales excluding autos. The University of Michigan also released its Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings for mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Retail Sales Slip in December, Inflation Holds Steady December retail sales were 1.20 percent lower in December; analysts expected no growth as compared to November's retail sales growth of 0.10 percent. Readings for retail sales excluding the automotive sector were also lower in December with a negative reading of -1.80 percent. Analysts expected a negative reading of -0.10 percent.…
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11
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 11th, 2019

Last week's economic news included Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Fed Faced with Public Mistrust of Institutions Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel said in a speech to a group of teachers that the Federal Reserve is paddling against a current of public mistrust of the institution. Mr. Powell assured his audience that the Fed was "working in a non-political way" to support the economy. Mr. Powell said that the Fed was working to earn public trust and said that the Central Bank must be accessible to ordinary Americans and lawmakers.…
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04
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 4th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included readings new and pending home sales, Case-Shiller housing market indices and consumer sentiment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. New Home Sales Rise as Pending Home Sales Fall Sales of new homes rose 17 percent in November for an eight-month high. Year-to-date sales of new homes were only 2.70 percent higher than for the same period in 2018.New home sales rose to 657,000 sales as compared to expectations of 563,000 sales and November's reading of 562,000 sales. Analysts cautioned that Commerce Department readings for new home sales are prepared…
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28
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings on sales of previously owned homes and weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. A scheduled report on sales of new homes was not available due to the government shutdown. National Association of Realtors®: Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Lowest in 3 Years Sales of previously owned homes fell in December and failed to meet expectations. 4.99 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis; analysts predicted 5.10 million sales based on 5.33 million sales in November 2018. December's reading showed the lowest number of sales since November of 2015.…
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22
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 22nd, 2019

Last week's economic reports included National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued were delayed due to the federal government shutdown, which continued and became the longest government shutdown on record. NAHB: Builder Confidence Rises Amid Headwinds Home builder confidence rose two points in January according to the National Association of Home Builders. Builder concerns over rising construction costs and tariffs on building materials…
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