25 Aug 2014
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Aug 25, 2014

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news brought several reports related to housing. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for August rose by two points to 55, which was its highest reading in seven months. Components of the NAHB HMI include builder surveys on conditions related to upcoming sales of new homes, which rose by two points for a reading of 65. Builder sentiment concerning present sales conditions also rose by two points to 58. Builder views on prospective buyer traffic rose from 39 to 42. Readings above 50 indicate that more builders viewed housing market conditions…
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18 Aug 2014
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Aug 18, 2014

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news brought little housing-related content, but several economic reports in other sectors contributed to overall perceptions of the economy. In a speech given in Sweden, Fed Vice President Stanley Fischer noted that the economy might be in a period of "secular stagnation." This condition is expected to keep interest rates low for longer than expected. A survey of small business owners showed that confidence increased by 0.70 in July. Job openings for June increased from 4.60 million to 4.70 million. Readings for several reports fell shy of expectations and new jobless claims were higher than expected. Economic…
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04 Aug 2014
By Mark Feder

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Aug 4, 2014

Market Outlook
Last week's economic news included a number of housing related reports. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, pending home sales dropped by 1.10 percent in June. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports for May noted that home prices are growing at a slower rate of 9.30 percent year-over-year than April's year-over-year growth rate of 10.80 percent. Construction spending was also lower in June. The Fed's FOMC statement indicated that asset purchases connected to quantitative easing will cease in October, but that the current target federal funds rate is expected to stay in place "a considerable period" after asset…
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31 Jul 2014
By Mark Feder

FOMC Statement: Asset Purchases to end in October, Labor Market Stronger

Market Outlook
The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released its customary statement at the conclusion of its meeting on Wednesday. FOMC members oversee the Fed's monetary policy. In recent months, investors and economists have speculated on whether or not the Fed would continue tapering its asset purchases under its latest quantitative easing (QE) program, and whether the Fed would raise its target federal funds rate of 0.00 to 0.250 percent. According to its statement, FOMC members plan to continue tapering monthly asset purchases of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities until asset purchases under the QE program conclude in October. FOMC…
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