Last week's economic events included S&P Case-Shiller's Housing Market Indices for April along with reports on Construction Spending and Pending Home Sales. Consumer Confidence was higher in June in spite of low wage growth and inflation well below the Fed's goal of 2.00 percent annually. S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Ticks Downward April home values grew by 5.40 percent in April on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Case Shiller reported a drop in momentum from the March reading … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 27, 2016
Last week's economic news was dominated by Great Britain's vote to withdraw from the European Union. New and Existing Home Sales were released along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. "Brexit" Vote Tanks Stocks, Could Cause Lower Mortgage Rates US stocks plunged in reaction to the news of Britain's decision to leave the EU and the resignation of its Prime Minister. While investors don't want to see their 401(k) values crash, mortgage rates may also fall as a result of … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 20, 2016
Mortgage rates fell after Federal Reserve policymakers decided not to raise the Fed's target federal funds rate. The Federal Open Market Committee cited ongoing concerns over global financial and economic developments and slow jobs growth as factors in its decision not to raise rates. Fed Chair Janet Yellen emphasized the committee's decision-making process is not predetermined and said that ongoing review of current and developing news is significant to monetary policy decisions. Last week's … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 13, 2016
Last week's economic news was highlighted by Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech in Philadelphia. Although Chair Yellen alluded to future Fed rate hikes, she did not specify when Fed policymakers would next raise the target federal funds rate. Increases in the fed funds rate typically signal increases in consumer credit and home mortgage rates. Last week's speech was seen as a precursor to the Federal Open Market Committee statement that will occur at the conclusion of next week's FOMC … [Read more...]
