18 Sep 2015
By Mark Feder

NAHB: Builder Confidence Hits Highest Rate in 9 Years; Fed Doesn’t Raise Rates

Market Outlook
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that home builder confidence rose by one point to a reading of 62 for September. This was the highest reading since November 2005, when the NAHB reported a reading of 68 for home builder confidence. Any reading above 50 indicates that more builders are confident about housing market conditions than those who are not. NAHB notes that builder confidence has been growing at a moderate pace since July 2014; this is in line with economic conditions in general. Relatively low mortgage rates and stronger labor markets…
Read More
08 Sep 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 8, 2015

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news included reports on construction spending, private and public sector employment data and a report from the Fed indicating that any move to raise interest rates may be delayed. The details: Construction Spending Meets Expectations, Beige Book Indicates Wage Pressures Analysts said that construction is gaining strength and could soon be the strongest sector of the economy. Construction spending for July met growth expectations of 0.70 percent as compared to June's reading of 0.10 percent. The Commerce Department reported that this reading translated to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.98 trillion, which was the highest rate…
Read More
20 Aug 2015
By Mark Feder

FOMC Minutes: Rate Hike May be Near

Market Outlook
The minutes for the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) suggest that while committee members won't specify a date, a rate hike could come sooner than later. Committee members continue to cite concerns over labor markets and other economic factors, but the minutes of the FOMC meeting held July 28 and 29 indicate that a majority of members see a rate change as likely in the near term. Economic Conditions "Approaching" Readiness for Rate Hike According to the minutes released Wednesday, the time for raising rates is not hear yet, but a majority of…
Read More
10 Aug 2015
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 10, 2015

Market Outlook
This week's scheduled economic news includes reports on construction spending, a survey of senior loan officers, and reports on labor markets including ADP private sector jobs, the federal government's reports on non-farm payrolls, core inflation and the national unemployment rate. Construction Spending Slows, Loan Officers Survey Suggests Growing Confidence Construction spending fell in June after the May reading was revised upward to 1.89 percent from the original reading of 0.90 percent. Spending for residential construction rose by 0.40 percent, while non-residential construction spending remained flat. The seasonally-adjusted annual outlay for construction was $1.06 billion in June. Analysts continue to note…
Read More