Mortgage rates moved higher Tuesday as stronger than expected economic data hurt mortgage-backed securities markets. The August Producer Price Index rose 1.7% from July, while the more closely watched “core” rate, which excludes food and energy components, rose 0.2%, doubling forecast. Retail Sales increased 2.7% in August, boosted by the Cash for Clunkers program. Analysts will be watching to see if the strength in retail sales continues in months ahead. The Empire State Index, which measures New York manufacturing activity, rose to 18.9, above the consensus of 15.0. The Consumer Price Index and Industrial Production will be released tomorrow.