Republicans are less worried about the future than Democrats and Independents, but “consumers from all three political affiliations are in agreement that the outlook has weakened since February.” Continue reading
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
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
Employers added 227,000 workers to their payrolls in November, but with 7.1 million Americans out of work the unemployment rate is back up to 4.2 percent. Continue reading
Hurricanes and strikes were expected to dent job creation, and bond market investors are looking ahead to next week’s election, Fed meeting and government bond auctions. Continue reading
Mortgage rates inch up as an expected decline in key inflation gauge does little to change expectations for rate cuts among investors who fund most home loans. Continue reading
Relief would be good news for would-be homebuyers, although purchase loan applications are still up 10 percent from a year ago as mortgage rates hit highest levels since July. Continue reading
Reports send mixed signals on the economy, with CPI showing prices rose more sharply than expected in September and jobless claims surging to highest level in more than a year. Continue reading
With a soft landing seen as more likely, analysts say Fed policymakers can now afford to be more cautious about the pace of future rate cuts, and mortgage rates aren’t likely to fall below 6 percent anytime soon. Continue reading
While many homeowners rushed to refinance, affordability is keeping a damper on sales. Now mortgage rates are climbing again, with investors having already priced in last week’s Fed rate cut. Continue reading