Job Gains Exceed Expectations Roger Odoardi The most significant influence on mortgage rates this week was Friday’s Employment report, which was much stronger than expected. Events in Europe have had less impact on US markets in recent weeks. While mortgage rates moved lower early in the week, they ended the week a little higher. Friday’s Employment data exceeded expectations in nearly every area. Against a consensus forecast of 135K, the economy added 243K jobs in January, which was the highest level since April 2011. Revisions to prior months added an additional 60K jobs. The Unemployment Rate dropped to 8.3% from 8.5% in December, to the lowest level since February 2009. Strong labor market data is great news for the economy, but it increases future inflationary pressures, which is unfavorable for mortgage rates. While mortgage rates ended the week higher than last week, the Freddie Mac weekly mortgage rate survey released on Thursday showed a large decline in rates. This is simply due to the timing of the survey. Freddie Mac collects data from origination companies on Monday and Tuesday and releases the results on Thursday. In this case, the survey captured the drop in rates following last week’s Fed meeting, but not the rise in rates due to this week’s strong jobs report Also Notable: • The Core PCE price index was a tame 1.8% higher than one year ago • ISM Services increased to the highest level since February 2011 • Fed Chief Bernanke urged lawmakers to reduce the US budget deficit • The Treasury will auction $72 billion in 3-yr, 10-yr, and 30-yr securities next week Week Ahead The economic calendar will be very light next week. The Trade Balance and Consumer Sentiment will be released on Friday. There will be Treasury auctions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Roger Odoardi Roger is an owner and licensed Loan Officer at Blue Water Mortgage. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and has been a leader in the mortgage industry for over 20 years. Roger has personally originated over 2500 residential loans and is considered to be in the top 1% of NH Loan Officers by leading national lender United Wholesale Mortgage.
