Mortgage markets worsened for a second consecutive week last week amid debt default concerns and stronger-than-expected economic data. Dollars left the bond market and mortgage rates suffered.
After re-reaching an all-time low December 1, mortgage rates have since rolled back to mid-November levels.
Rates are still low right now. Just not as low.
And meanwhile, last week’s big story — the one that should concern mortgage applicants between now and early-2010 — is the story of Retail Sales.
Last week, a government report showed that American consumers are spending more this holiday season than was expected. The Retail Sales data implies that consumers are feeling more confident in themselves, and in the economy overall.
This is one of the last remaining pieces in the economic recovery puzzle. Job growth, of course, is another, and both will be in focus this week as the Federal Open Market Committee meets for its final 2-day meeting of the year.
The FOMC isn’t expected to raise the Fed Funds Rate from its current “target range” near 0.000%, but when the FOMC adjourns at 2:15 PM Wednesday, its press release will dominate the news.
Specifically, watch for verbiage on the expected economic growth for 2010 because no matter what the Fed says, mortgage rates will be in flux. As one example:
- If the Fed says inflation is under control, mortgage rates should fall
- If the Fed says inflation pressures are growing, mortgage rates should rise
There’s other news this week, too, including PPI and CPI — 2 popular inflation gauges, plus some housing data, too.
If you need to lock a rate this week, it may be safer to lock prior to the FOMC’s adjournment. Given the recent strength in Retail Sales and the reports of “crowded malls” this past weekend, the Fed may choose to revise its growth estimates for the economy — a move that would be awful for mortgage rates.
