Rates inched lower Tuesday following the release of weaker than expected economic data.  This morning, the December Producer Price Index (PPI) fell 0.2%, below the consensus forecast for a decline of 0.1%.  Core PPI, which excludes volatile food and energy components, decreased 0.1%, well below expectations for an increase of 0.2%, and was 2.7% higher […]

Rates inched lower Friday as newly released inflation data matched expectations.  The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1%, in line with forecast.  Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy components, rose 0.2% and was 2.2% higher than one year ago.  The Fed’s target rate for inflation is 2.0%.  No other key data will […]

Rates held steady Wednesday as newly released economic data came in close to forecast. This morning, November Construction Spending increased 0.8%, slightly above expectations. The Institute for Supply Management manufacturing index rose to 59.7. A reading of 58.0 had been expected. Readings above 50.0 indicate expansion in the manufacturing sector of the economy. Detailed minutes […]

Rates were little changed Tuesday. This morning, mortgage-backed securities gave back most of Friday’s late gains as stocks rallied. No key economic data will be released today.

Rates were little changed Thursday in quiet trading. This morning, the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index jumped to 67.6, well above the consensus forecast of 62.5, to the highest level since March 2011. Readings above 50.0 indicate expansion in manufacturing in the Midwest region. Weekly Jobless Claims were unchanged at 245,000, slightly above expectations. Results from […]

Mortgage rates held steady Friday in quiet trading. This morning, the November core PCE price index, one of the Fed’s preferred measures of inflation, rose 0.1%, matching forecast, and was a tame 1.4% higher year-over-year. November Durable Goods Orders rose 1.3%, short of expectations, however October figures were revised higher. New Home Sales jumped 17.5% […]

Mortgage rates inched higher Wednesday as the GOP tax plan cleared the Senate and appeared likely to pass the House. The tax cut bill is viewed by investors as likely to fuel economic growth and increase the federal deficit, pushing interest rates higher over time. In economic news, the National Association of Realtors reported November […]

Mortgage rates were little changed Wednesday ahead of today’s Federal Reserve announcement.  The Fed will wrap up its two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting to discuss monetary policy and release a statement at 2:00 PM, followed by Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s press conference at 2:30.  It is widely expected that the Fed will raise short-term interest rates by 0.25%.  Investors […]

Mortgage rates held steady ahead of this week’s Fed meeting.  The Federal Open Market Committee of the Fed will meet on Wednesday to discuss monetary policy and release a policy statement at 2:00 PM.  It is widely expected that the Fed will raise short-term rates by 0.25%.  Investors will be watching closely for clues about […]

Mortgage rates were little changed Friday following the release of key employment data for November.  The economy added 228,000 jobs last month, beating the consensus forecast of 190,000.  The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%.  Average hourly earnings rose 0.2%, a bit below expectations.  The upside surprise in job gains was offset by the miss […]