Market Outlook , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 19, 2015

Last week's economic reports included Consumer Price Index and Core index for September, the minutes of the FOMC meeting held September 15 and 17, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The details: FOMC Minutes Hint at Looming Rate Hike as Inflation Lags Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held in September suggest that while Fed policy makers have reservations about low inflation and labor markets, they may go ahead and raise the target federal funds rate from its current range of 0.00 to 0.25 percent. When the fed does raise rates, consumers can expect…
Read More
Market Outlook , , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 21, 2015

Last week's economic releases included several reports related to housing. The Wells Fargo/ NAHB Housing Market Index achieved its highest reading in nearly 10 years. Housing Starts dipped in August and Building Permits issued in August exceeded July expectations. The week's big news was actually no news. The Fed's Federal Open Market Committee decided not to raise interest rates. Fed Chair Janet Yellen followed up on the FOMC statement with a press conference and said that the Fed is not yet ready to raise rates, but that a majority of FOMC members are prepared to raise rates before year-end. Inflation…
Read More
Market Outlook , ,

FOMC Minutes: Rate Hike May be Near

The minutes for the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) suggest that while committee members won't specify a date, a rate hike could come sooner than later. Committee members continue to cite concerns over labor markets and other economic factors, but the minutes of the FOMC meeting held July 28 and 29 indicate that a majority of members see a rate change as likely in the near term. Economic Conditions "Approaching" Readiness for Rate Hike According to the minutes released Wednesday, the time for raising rates is not hear yet, but a majority of…
Read More