Encouraging CPI inflation report does little for mortgage rates

Homebuyers have responded to a pullback in mortgage rates from January highs, but tariffs on imported goods could keep inflation elevated and halt the downward trend in rates. Continue reading

Weak February jobs report moves the needle on mortgage rates

Mortgage rates eased Friday as investors took stock of new data showing employers added 151,000 workers to their payrolls in February and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1 percent. Continue reading

Mortgage rates climbing again on hot CPI report, Powell testimony

Trump calls for lower interest rates after release of January CPI report. Powell says Fed is in no hurry to cut rates, and bond market investors who fund mortgages are taking him at his word. Continue reading

Strong December jobs report pushes mortgage rates higher

Investors who fund most home loans are now convinced that the Federal Reserve won’t cut rates again until June after employers add 256,000 jobs in December. Continue reading

Interest rates surge again on surprisingly strong jobs report

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, the biggest jump since January, raising the odds that the Fed will pursue “higher for longer” rate strategy. Continue reading

Housing costs remain stubbornly high despite relief on food, energy

The U.S. Consumer Price Index cooled to 5 percent in March compared to a year ago, but remained elevated overall despite efforts from the Federal Reserve to curb inflation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue reading

‘Just a freakish bit of data’: Sticker shock imperils spring home demand

Economists revealed to Intel how mortgage rates and inflation will bring the spring homebuying market back toward historical norms and become the new sales benchmark for years to come. Continue reading

Housing still biggest contributor as inflation slowed pace in February

While the Consumer Price Index jumped a modest 0.4 percent month over month, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank could keep interest rate hikes at bay, economists said Tuesday. Continue reading

Housing still biggest contributor as inflation slowed pace in February

While the Consumer Price Index jumped a modest 0.4 percent month over month, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank could keep interest rate hikes at bay, economists said Tuesday. Continue reading

Housing singled out as largest contributor to inflation: Economists

Housing costs were the biggest contributor to inflation in January, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Increased food and energy costs were smaller by comparison. Continue reading