The economic environment for mortgage rates was little changed this week. Weaker than expected economic data and continued low inflation supported low rates, and investor demand for bonds remained high. As a result, mortgage rates again ended the week a little lower. As the economic recovery has lost steam recently, investors are closely watching for …
Global economic news was the primary influence on US mortgage markets this week. While the US data released during the week was mixed, an improved economic outlook in many other countries was unfavorable for bond markets. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little higher. In recent weeks, mortgage rates have fallen to …
While inflation remained low, stronger than expected economic data released this week was negative for mortgage markets. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little higher. The big news in this week’s economic data came from the housing sector. March Existing Home Sales rose 7% from February, and existing home sales were 16% …
Although this week’s economic data was generally stronger than expected, it was overshadowed by solid demand for the Treasury auctions and intensified concerns about the economic situation in Greece, which helped mortgage markets. After reaching the highest levels since August, mortgage rates ended a little lower than where they ended last week. Recent increases in …
Stronger than expected Employment data and the end of the Fed’s MBS purchase program were negative for mortgage markets. Mortgage rates ended the week at the highest levels since January. Investors viewed Friday’s Employment report as positive for the economy, which means it was bad news for mortgage markets, and mortgage rates climbed after its …
During a very light week for economic news, the economic data and Treasury auctions contained few surprises and produced little reaction in mortgage markets. Mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged. In early 2009, the Fed embarked on a $1.25 trillion mortgage-backed securities (MBS) purchase program to help keep mortgage rates low and stimulate the …
While investors began the week watching for fresh information about Greece and China, the Fed stole the spotlight on Wednesday with news that was unfavorable for mortgage markets, and mortgage rates ended the week moderately higher. The Fed currently has significant influence on mortgage rates. Over the last year, the Fed pushed mortgage rates lower …
Global events in China and Greece had a significant impact on US mortgage markets this week, but in opposite directions. In addition, demand was much weaker than average for the 10-year and 30-year Treasury auctions, which pushed up yields. The net result was a slight increase in mortgage rates from last week. A surprise announcement …
The biggest influence on mortgage rates this week came from outside the US. Concerns about the possible default of sovereign debt in smaller nations caused investors to seek the relative safety of US fixed income securities. This week’s economic data was roughly balanced in terms of positive and negative surprises. The added demand for safer …
This week’s economic news was mixed for mortgage markets. A speech from Fed Chief Bernanke pushed mortgage rates lower early in the week, but weak results in the Treasury auctions caused them to turn higher again later in the week. In the end, mortgage rates finished with little net change. Despite a stronger than expected …