Global central banks continued to add monetary stimulus this week, which was favorable for US bonds. The economic data was roughly neutral. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week a little lower. On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced that it will increase its level of monetary stimulus, following similar recent moves by […]

There were two big economic events scheduled this week, and they both produced large reactions in mortgage rates, but in opposite directions. A new aid program in Europe caused mortgage rates to increase, while weaker than expected Employment data resulted in a substantial improvement in rates. The net effect was a modest decline in mortgage […]

The Fed Minutes were the big story this week, raising expectations that the Fed will provide additional monetary stimulus soon. Mixed US economic data and minor news out of Europe had little impact. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week lower. Released on Wednesday, the detailed Minutes from the August 1 Fed meeting stated […]

After reaching record lows near the end of July, mortgage rates have moved steadily higher this month, and the trend accelerated this week. While the US economic data was roughly neutral and there was little news out of Europe, mortgage rates continued to rise. Prior to July 26, two primary factors were responsible for the […]

While there was a full slate of economic data and Treasury auctions this week, investors were focused on a speech by Fed Chief Bernanke on Friday. The resulting increase in expectations for future Fed action was positive for mortgage rates, which ended the week a little lower. Bernanke did not commit to implementing any additional […]

While last week was packed with highly anticipated central bank announcements and significant economic data, there was no major economic news this week. As a result, both mortgage rates and the stock market ended the week with little change. The pace of global economic growth is one primary influence for mortgage rates right now. Slower […]

There were several significant influences on mortgage rates this week including the possible Fed announcement of further action to stimulate the economy, the European Central Bank (ECB) announcing its plans to help stabilize the euro-zone, and the July Jobs Report here in the US. In the end, the effect of these influences was offsetting and […]

Reduced concerns about Europe caused investors to shift to riskier assets such as stocks, hurting bonds. Weaker than expected US economic data and potential Fed action helped to limit the losses in bond markets, however. After several weeks of improvement, mortgage rates ended the week a little higher. Early in the week, a stream of […]

Concerns about the pace of global economic growth dominated the financial news this week. While investors sold bonds in troubled European countries, demand was strong for US bonds, and mortgage rates ended the week at new record low levels. The economic data released this week reflected slowing economic growth in nearly every region of the […]

Bad news this week was good news for mortgage rates. A higher likelihood for further Fed easing and increased concerns about Spain helped mortgage rates improve to new record low levels. Based on weaker than expected economic data and comments from Fed officials, investors have increased their expectations for a third round of quantitative easing […]