What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 13, 2015

Last week's scheduled economic events were few due to the Independence Day holiday. Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates brought good news as mortgage rates fell across the board. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of its most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and weekly jobless claims rose. Job Openings Rise to Highest Level Since 2000 The Labor Department reported that U.S. job openings rose from April's reading of 5.33 million to 5.36 million job openings in May. This was the highest reading for job openings since the report's inception in 2000. Private sector job openings rose…
Read More

Federal Reserve: No Change on Target Fed Funds Rate

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve did not move to increase the Fed's target federal funds rate, which is currently 0.00 to 0.250 percent. Although the committee acknowledged further progress toward achieving the Federal Reserve's dual goal of maximum employment and an inflation rate of two percent, committee members indicated that they want to see further improvements in both areas before raising the federal funds rate. In its customary post meeting statement, the FOMC said that it may not raise rates when both goals have been achieved. This statement may have been meant to calm ongoing…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 18, 2015

Last week's economic reports included data from the Federal Reserve on student loan debt, job openings and retail sales. Weekly jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of average mortgage rates were released as usual on Thursday. A report on consumer sentiment wrapped up the week's scheduled economic new. Federal Reserve: Student Loan Borrowers Struggle with Payments  In two reports issued by the New York and St. Louis branches of the Federal Reserve, researchers found that high numbers of student loan borrowers are behind in making payments. According to the New York Fed, 11.10 percent of student loan borrowers were 90…
Read More