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Home borrowing costs rose this week as they continue their trek higher.
Home borrowing costs rose this week as they continue their trek higher. Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.42% from 4.16% last week with an average of 0.8 in points and fees. The 15-year rose to 3.63% from 3.39%, also with a 0.8 point. Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist said, "The rise in mortgage rates, combined with continued house price appreciation, is increasing monthly mortgage payments and quickly affecting homebuyers’ ability to keep up with the market.”
In economic news, February Durable Orders fell 2.2% versus the -0.5% expected as the economy slows. This suggests high prices and high energy prices are rattling consumer spending. And after the 7% rise in GDP in Q4 2021, the Atlanta GDPNow estimate is 1.3% growth for Q1 2022. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims fell to 187,000, the lowest since 1969. We will see how the final read on March Consumer Sentiment comes in tomorrow.
The MBA has introduced its new Purchase Applications Payment Index (PAPI), which measures how new monthly mortgage payments vary across time - relative to income. The index shows that homebuyer affordability fell last month, with the national median payment applied for by applicants rising 8.3% to $1,653 from $1,526 in January. The MBA says, "An increase in MBA's PAPI - indicative of declining borrower affordability conditions - means that the mortgage payment to income ratio (PIR) is higher due to increasing application loan amounts, rising mortgage rates, or a decrease in earnings." The opposite is true. -
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index inched higher in December
From the small business sector, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index inched higher in December from November with many business owners citing inflation as their number one obstacle. "Small businesses unfortunately saw a disappointing December jobs report, with staffing issues continuing to impact their ability to be fully productive," said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. "Inflation is at the highest level since the 1980s and is having an overwhelming impact on owners' ability to manage their businesses." Mortgage credit availability rose last month according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the MBA. A decline in the MCAI indicates that lending standards are tightening, while increases in the index are indicative of loosening credit. The index increased to 125.9, up 0.8%. "Credit supply increased in December, with growth across both conventional and government segments of the market. The overall credit index increased to its highest level since May 2021, but remained 30% below its pre-pandemic level," said Joel Kan, MBA's Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting.
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Home price gains continue to cool as they drift down to more normal levels due in part to an uptick in housing inventories.
Home price gains continue to cool as they drift down to more normal levels due in part to an uptick in housing inventories. The S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index rose 3% from February 2018 to February 2019, up 0.2% monthly from January to February. The national index increased 4% annually. Home price gains topped out in late 2013 with double digit gains. A spokesperson for the index said that the pace of home prices continues to slow.
Consumer confidence remained strong in April though below the best levels ever seen last fall. The Conference Board reports that its Consumer Confidence Index improved in April to 129.2 from 124.2 in March. Consumer assessments for current conditions as well as the outlook for the labor markets was more favorable in April than in March. Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board said, "Overall, consumers expect the economy to continue growing at a solid pace into the summer months. These strong confidence levels should continue to support consumer spending in the near-term".
Signed real estate contracts to purchase existing single-family homes jumped in March from February as the spring home buying season kicked off. The National Association of REALTORS® reports that Pending Homes Sales jumped 3.8% month-over-month though down 1.2% from March 2018. It was the 15th straight month of annual declines. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist said, "We are seeing a positive sentiment from consumers about home buying, as mortgage applications have been steadily increasing and mortgage rates are extremely favorable." -
Fannie Mae reports that its key housing index surged in March just in time for the spring homebuying season.
Fannie Mae reports that its key housing index surged in March just in time for the spring homebuying season. Declining mortgage rates as well as a drop in prices were two reasons behind the increase. The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index jumped 5.5 points in March to 89.8, the highest level since June 2018. The good time to buy and good time to sell components both increased in March. Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae said, "Consumers appear to have regained some confidence in the housing market, with perceptions of both home buying and home selling conditions returning to their longer-term trends."
Gas prices at the pumps continued to increase over the past week as demand holds steady while inventories continue to lighten, reports motor club AAA. The national average price for a regular gallon of gasoline is at $2.74, up $0.08 from last week and up $0.28 from a month ago. The increase is also due in part to the rise in oil prices, which hit five-month highs this week. A year ago, the price was $2.66 a gallon. The all-time high for a gallon of gas was $4.11 hit back on July 17, 2008. -
Good news was reported this morning in the housing sector as the spring buying gets underway.
Good news was reported this morning in the housing sector as the spring buying gets underway. Sales of new single-family houses rose nearly 5% in February from January recording the largest monthly gain in 11 months. The Census Bureau reports that New Home Sales came in at an annual rate of 667,000 in February versus the 618,000 expected. Sales were marginally higher year-over-year by 0.6%. Across the country, big gains were seen in the Northeast and Midwest with a slight gain in the South while the West saw flat sales. The average sales price was $379,600 with inventories were at a 6.1 month supply.
Inflation remained subdued in February as demand for goods and services eased a bit with somewhat slowing growth. The Federal Reserves favorite inflation gauge, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE), fell to 1.8% year-over-year in January from the 2% recorded in December. The Fed has a target rate of 2%. If inflation remains low, the Fed will be on hold for any rate hikes in 2019 and could even cut in the fall. -
Mortgage rates continued to decline in the latest survey due in part to low inflation levels
Mortgage rates continued to decline in the latest survey due in part to low inflation levels, a slowing global economy along with a dovish tone from the Federal Reserve. Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell three basis points to 4.28% with an average 0.40 in points and fees. It is the lowest rate seen since February 8, 2018. Low rates, improving home affordability and more housing inventory than last year sets up for a solid spring buying season. Fannie Mae released its March 2019 Economic and Housing Outlook showing lower growth while home sales are expected to stabilize. For all of 2019, Gross Domestic Product is expected to come in at 2.2%, below the 3.1% seen in 2018 due in part to the fading fiscal impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Fannie Mae expects housing demand to increase due to a solid labor market, low rates and strong household formation. Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell in the latest week and hover near 50-year lows. A strong labor market coupled with a solid U.S. economy have left employers looking for good candidates to fill open positions. Weekly Initial Jobless Claims fell by 9,000 in the latest week to 221,000. The four-week moving average of claims, which irons out seasonal abnormalities, rose 1,000 to 225,000.
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Lower mortgage rates coupled with an increase in refinance application volume spurred on an increase in refinance closings in January, reports Ellie Mae.
Lower mortgage rates coupled with an increase in refinance application volume spurred on an increase in refinance closings in January, reports Ellie Mae. The January Ellie Mae Origination Insight Report showed the percentage of refinance closings increased to 35% of total applications, up from 29% in December. Ellie Mae went on to report that the time to close all loans dropped to 45 days in January, down from 47 days in December. Jonathan Corr, president and CEO of Ellie Mae said, "We anticipate that as we move into the traditionally busier spring months, the percentage of home purchases will increase relative to refinances."
Given the light economic calendar this week, next week there are several hurdles for the markets to contend with. The main event will be Fed Chair Powell in front of Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday giving his semi-annual testimony on the U.S. economy and monetary policy. The Bond markets will have to digest a whopping total of $113 billion of Treasury securities which could impact trading. A slew of economic data will also be released next week which will cover a wide range of the U.S. economic landscape and culminates with Friday's Core PCE data. The Core PCE, currently at 1.9%, is the Fed's favorite inflation gauge with a target of 2%. The Fed has forecasted that the Core PCE will stay close to current levels for three years out, which should hold interest rates relatively low.
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