29
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

Fed Holds Steady on Federal Funds Rate

In its post-meeting statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve announced its decision not to raise the current federal funds rate of 0.25 to 0.50 percent. Although FOMC members acknowledged further improvement in the U.S. economy and jobs markets, the committee cited the following as influencing its decision not to raise the current federal funds rate: Household income continued to rise, but consumers have "moderated" their spending. Inflation is expected to remain below the Fed's goal of two percent in the near term. Temporary influences including low energy and import prices are expected to ease. FOMC…
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22
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

Existing Home Sales Jump, Builder Confidence Holds Steady

Home buyers kicked the spring home shopping season into gear and boosted sales of pre-owned homes in March. Existing home sales rose 5.10 percent in March according to the National Association of Realtors®. 5.33 million pre-owned homes were sold in March against expectations of 5.30 million sales and February's reading of 5.07 million sales on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. Demand for homes remains strong in spite of rapidly escalating prices in many areas. Short supplies of available homes continue to drive demand and home prices. Sales rose only 1.50 percent year-over-year, but during the first quarter of 2016, existing…
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18
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 18, 2016

Last week's scheduled economic releases included reports on retail sales, inflation and the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a limited program for reducing principal on eligible mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This program is intended to resolve remaining "underwater" mortgages on homes worth less than their current mortgage amounts. Retail Sales Fall, Inflation Rises Retail sales fell in March to close out a weaker than expected first quarter 2016. Retail sales fell 0.30 percent in March as compared to…
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11
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 11, 2016

Last week's economic news included minutes of the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. FOMC Minutes Indicate Fed Not Pressing Rate Increases Minutes of the FOMC meeting held March 15 and 16 suggest that FOMC members are easing their enthusiasm for raising the target federal funds rate. In recent months, the committee has indicated that it was leaning toward raising rates on a slow but steady pace. Ongoing concerns over changing global economic and financial conditions contributed to FOMC's decision not to raise the key federal…
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04
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 4, 2016

Last week's economic calendar was full of new releases including pending home sales, Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and construction spending. Labor related reports including ADP payrolls, federal Non-farm payrolls, and the national unemployment rate were also released along with reports on consumer confidence and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new unemployment claims. Case-Shiller: January Home Prices Up 5.7% Year-Over-Year According to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for January, home prices increased by 5.70 percent year-over-year. The West led price increases with double-digit price gains posted for San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Denver, Colorado also…
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30
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

Case-Shiller Report Shows Home Prices Rose in January

Home prices were 5.70 percent higher year-over-year in January according to S&P Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index. Top year-over-year gains were posted by Portland, Oregon at 11.80 percent, San Francisco, California at 10.80 percent and Seattle Washington posted a year-over-year gain of 10.70 percent. Denver, Colorado, which had top gains in recent months, posted year-over-year home price growth of 10.20 percent. Lowest year over-year gains for January were posted by Chicago, Illinois at 2.10 percent, Washington, D.C at 2.20 percent and New York, New York at 2.80 percent. Average home prices remained about 12 percent below their summer 2006 peak,…
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