Calmer Markets

Calmer Markets

After several weeks of extreme volatility in mortgage markets due to concerns about the banking sector, perhaps the most noticeable change this week was the relative calm. While investors remained alert for troubles spreading to additional banks, tensions have eased,...
Bank Troubles

Bank Troubles

Troubles in the banking sector in the US and Europe completely overwhelmed the economic reports in driving financial markets this week. Investors shifted to safer assets, and mortgage rates moved lower. The impacts of the largest bank failure in the US since the...
Mixed Labor Market Data

Mixed Labor Market Data

Smaller than expected wage increases and a reduced outlook for global economic growth due to troubles in the banking sector were favorable for mortgage markets this week. As a result, mortgage rates moved lower. The latest Employment report contained mixed news. After...
Strong Labor Market

Strong Labor Market

During a very light week for economic data, investors mostly took their cue from the Fed. The message from officials was loud and clear that more work needs to be done to bring down inflation, meaning tighter monetary policy. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week...
Consumer Spending Falls

Consumer Spending Falls

It was a volatile week for mortgage markets, but most of the movement was offsetting, and rates ended just slightly lower. Of all the economic reports released this week, weaker than expected retail sales data was the primary influence. Since consumer spending...