Rates were little changed Monday following a rough week ending July 18. Last week, global inflation fears hurt the bond and mortgage-backed securities markets. Additional pressure was applied to rates as stocks surged following a drop in oil prices from about $147 per barrel to about $129, causing funds to move out of fixed income […]

Rates moved higher in a volatile session on Thursday. Housing Starts rose unexpectedly, while first time unemployment claims dipped below forecast. Stocks were generally higher as concerns over the stability of major financial institutions eased. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson tried to rally support in Congress for the Bush Administration’s plan to rescue Fannie Mae and […]

Rates inched higher Wednesday as June’s Consumer Price Index rose at a greater than expected 5.0% annual rate. Industrial Production for June also exceeded forecast, applying additional pressure on interest rates. Stocks and the dollar moved higher. Oil prices continued falling to about $135 a barrel from $146 on Monday. Minutes from the June 25 […]

Rates held steady Tuesday as the impact of two key economic reports offset one another. The Producer Price Index came in at a higher than expected annual rate of 9.2% (although the “core” rate, excluding food and energy compenents, rose a more tame 3.0%), but Retail Sales fell short of expectations, rising just 0.1% from […]

Mortgage rates improved Monday, regaining ground lost Friday afternoon, on reports the Fed and Treasury will take steps to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This will be a busy week for economic news beginning Tuesday with the Producer Price Index and Retail Sales reports, followed by Wednesday’s release of the Consumer Price Index and […]

Mortgage rates improved Friday as speculation of a looming government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continued. The stocks of both companies fell further and are now down around 90% from one year ago. Fannie and Freddie, together, account for about 70% of mortgage originations in the U.S. Analysts agree the government would not […]

Rates remained little changed Thursday as concerns grew over the financial stability of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Stock prices for both companies hit their lowest point in over 15 years. The Wall Street Journal reported the Bush Administration has been considering a contingency plan should the companies become insolvent due to rising […]

Rates held steady Wednesday after improving late Tuesday. No major economic reports are scheduled for release today. Stocks are mixed, the dollar is lower.

Mortgage rates improved Tuesday, regaining territory lost Monday. Pending Home Sales fell 4.7% in June, greater than expected. Crude oil prices sank for a second consecutive day to about $136 a barrel, down from nearly $145 last Friday. Stocks and the dollar were modestly higher.

Mortgage rates rose modestly Monday as stocks climbed out of bear territory. Oil prices plunged over $4 a barrel and the dollar gained strength against the euro. With few economic reports due out this week, Fed speakers may provide the majority of news impacting interest rates.