Industry News

Investors were mostly focused on international events this week, but there was little fresh news on the trade negotiations with China or the British exit from the European Union. The major economic data was mixed and had little impact. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged. After a lack of success for […]

The major economic data released this week was mostly weaker than expected, which reduced the outlook for future inflation. This was positive for mortgage rates, and they ended the week lower. As expected, Friday’s key monthly Employment report was consistent with a slower pace of job creation from the very strong levels seen over the […]

An impeachment inquiry of President Trump caught investors by surprise this week, but it had little lasting effect on mortgage rates. The economic data also had just a minor impact, and mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged. House Democrats announced an impeachment inquiry of President Trump on Tuesday. The immediate reaction by investors to […]

Wednesday’s Fed meeting overshadowed the other economic news this week, but it provided no surprises and had little net effect. Stronger than expected housing data also had just a minor impact, and mortgage rates ended the week a little lower. The Fed cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, as expected, and its […]

After a large decline in 2019 to the lowest levels in several years, mortgage rates turned higher this week for a variety of reasons. Stronger than expected economic data, reduced trade tensions, and a mixed message from European Central Bank (ECB) officials all were negative for rates. While the manufacturing sector has taken a hit […]

The final week of August was relatively quiet for mortgage rates. The latest news on the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China captured the most attention, but had little lasting impact. The economic data also had just a minor effect, and rates ended the week a bit lower. Since the end of July, however, […]

This week, investors were focused on a highly anticipated speech from Fed Chair Powell and the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China. These events did little to alter the outlook for investors, however, and the reaction was minor. The economic data released this week also had little impact, and mortgage rates ended nearly unchanged. […]

Increased concerns about the outlook for global economic growth and about numerous geopolitical events deflated global stock markets and benefited mortgage rates this week. However, the latest news on the trade talks between the U.S. and China mostly offset this, and rates ended another volatile week just marginally lower. Investors face a lot of significant […]

Trade negotiations with China completely dominated the other economic news this week.  Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest levels in about three years early in the week, but later reversed direction. After very large swings, rates ended just a little lower. Last Thursday, President Trump announced that the U.S. will impose additional tariffs of 10% […]

Despite key labor market data and a highly anticipated Fed meeting, it was unexpected news about the trade negotiations which had the greatest influence on mortgage rates this week. Increased trade tensions are positive for rates, and they ended at the lowest levels in years. Thursday, President Trump announced that the U.S. will impose additional […]