Fed Lowers Key Interest Rate For First Time Since Great Recession

The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced the first rate cut to its key interest rate range since the Great Recession ushered in a series of rate cuts described as "quantitative easing." The Fed committee confirmed a quarter-point cut to 2.00 to 2.25 percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the rate cut as a "mid-cycle adjustment" intended as a one-time boost for the economy. Mr. Powell said he did not view the cut as the first in a series of quantitative easing moves, but analysts said single rate cuts are not common. The FOMC post-meeting statement said…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 5th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, pending home sales, construction spending and a post-meeting statement from the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve. Consumer sentiment was released along with Commerce Department reports on public and private sector job growth and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Home Price Growth Slows in May The Case-Shiller National Home price Index showed slower home price growth in May; this was the 14th consecutive month of slower growth in national home prices and the lowest reading for home price growth…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 29th, 2019

Last week's economic reports included readings on sales of new and pre-owned homes and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims. Realtors® Report Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Fall in June Sales of previously-owned homes fell last month according to real estate pros. 5.27 million homes would be sold in 2019 if the current pace of sales was unchanged for all of 2019. Analysts expected a reading of 5.33 million sales based on May's reading of 5.38 million sales. Analysts said that sales of pre-owned homes fell despite lower mortgage rates and the seasonal peak home-buying season. Sales of…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 15th, 2019

Last week's economic releases included reports on inflation, core inflation and minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting held June 18 and 19. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Inflation Rate Rises, but Grows at Lowest Pace in Four Months June's Consumer Price Index reported the lowest rate of inflation in four months with a year-over-year rate of 1.60 percent growth as compared to May's year-over-year inflation rate of 1.80 percent. Fuel prices were lower, which helped balance rising costs of rent, clothing and autos. Analysts said that falling inflation rates would be a…
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