Retail Sales Drop

Retail Sales Drop

Despite some significant economic news this week, investors saw little reason to change their outlook for economic growth or future Fed policy. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week nearly flat. Consumer spending accounts for over two-thirds of U.S. economic...
Inflation Moderates

Inflation Moderates

During a light week for economic data, investors were mostly focused on the CPI inflation report. The results were roughly in line with the expected levels, however, and mortgage rates ended the week with little change. The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a closely...
Powerful Job Gains

Powerful Job Gains

Stronger than expected labor market and services sector data was great news for the economy this week, but it was negative for mortgage markets, and rates ended a little higher The economy gained 943,000 jobs in July, above the consensus forecast of 850,000, and the...
GDP Falls Short

GDP Falls Short

There was no shortage of major economic news this week, but none caused much reaction. The Fed meeting produced no significant surprises, and the GDP report was roughly neutral overall. Mortgage rates ended the week a little lower. The headline number for second...
Home Sales Climb

Home Sales Climb

As expected, there was not much significant economic news this week. The data from the housing sector contained no major surprises, and mortgage rates ended nearly unchanged. After four straight months of declines, sales of existing homes in June rose modestly from...