Mortgage markets worsened last week with little economic news to push markets in either direction. Momentum trading and rebalancing of portfolios drove mortgage rates higher, on average.
FHA and conventional mortgage rates rose last week, marking the first time that’s happened this month.
Mortgage rates have been on impressive run lately and mortgages are priced far better than what most experts predicted. Weaker-than-expected economic data is one reason why. Lack of economic data may be another.
This week, however, data returns.
- Monday : Industrial Production and Home Builder Index
- Tuesday : Housing Starts and Building Permits
- Wednesday: Consumer Confidence
- Thursday : Producer Price Index and Initial Jobless Claims
- Friday : Consumer Price Index and Continuing Jobless Claims
And, as if all that weren’t enough to spook you, the Federal Open Market Committee meets for a scheduled, 1-day event Tuesday.
The Federal Reserve is expected to vote to hold the Fed Funds Rate in its current target range near 0.000%, but that doesn’t mean mortgage rates won’t change. Markets are responsive to the FOMC’s post-meeting press release and any clear talk of economic strengthening should drive rates higher.
Wall Street is in Wait-and-See Mode and this week will give it plenty to look at.
If you’re floating a mortgage rate, or waiting to lock, be prepared for wild swings in mortgage rates — especially leading up to Tuesday afternoon’s FOMC adjournment. The Fed adjourns at 2:15 PM.
