Federal Open Market Committee
Last week's economic reports included releases on construction spending and several labor-related reports including ADP payrolls, Non-Farm payrolls, average hourly earnings and weekly jobless claims. Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates rose as the national unemployment rate decreased to 5.00 percent. Labor Reports Show Mixed Results Key readings on employment showed mixed results as ADP payrolls decreased to 182,000 from September's downwardly revised reading of 190,000 private sector jobs added. U.S. jobs expanded to a reading of 271,000 jobs added in October, which exceeded expectations of 180,000 jobs added and September's reading of 137,000 jobs added. This was the fastest…
A number of economic reports released last week indicate mixed economic progress. The 20-City Home Price Index released by S&P Case Shiller showed that August home prices rose, but New Home Sales dropped in September. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve indicated that it may reserve the target federal funds range at its next meeting in December. Case-Shiller Reports Higher Home Prices in August August's 20-City Home Price Index issued by S&P Case Shiller showed that average home prices rose in 18 of 20 cities with Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, California posting year-over-year increases of 10.70…
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that home builder confidence rose by one point to a reading of 62 for September. This was the highest reading since November 2005, when the NAHB reported a reading of 68 for home builder confidence. Any reading above 50 indicates that more builders are confident about housing market conditions than those who are not. NAHB notes that builder confidence has been growing at a moderate pace since July 2014; this is in line with economic conditions in general. Relatively low mortgage rates and stronger labor markets…
