Mortgage Rates Improve Again Roger Odoardi Reading Time: 2 minutesWeaker than expected data helped mortgage rates improve for most of the week, but Friday’s Employment report then surprised to the upside, causing mortgage rates to give back some of the improvement. In the end, as they have for each of the last few weeks, mortgage rates finished the week a little lower. Against a consensus forecast of 185K, the economy added 244K jobs in April. Revisions to data from prior months added another 46K jobs. The private sector added 268K jobs, which was the highest level since February 2006, and the gains were broad-based across a range of sectors. The Unemployment Rate unexpectedly increased to 9.0% from 8.8% in March, as the labor force grew. When people begin to look for work, they are added to the labor force. Aside from the expected weakness in government jobs, this report was encouraging news for the labor market across the board. Friday’s Employment report particularly stood out in contrast to the much weaker than expected economic data released earlier in the week. Wednesday’s ISM Services data, indicating the strength of the services sector, showed a sharp decline, and was far below the consensus forecast. Thursday’s Jobless Claims report then showed a significant increase, which was also a big surprise to investors. Going forward, investors will be trying to determine whether the strong Employment report or the other weaker data better reflects the current strength of the economy. Also Notable: • Weekly Jobless Claims jumped to the highest level since August • As expected, the European Central Bank (ECB) made no change in rates • Oil prices dropped sharply, falling below $100 per barrel during the week • The Treasury will auction $72 billion in 3-yr, 10-yr, and 30-yr securities next week Average 30 yr fixed rate: Last week: -0.10% This week: -0.10% Stocks (weekly): Dow: 12,750 -50 NASDAQ: 2,850 -25 Week Ahead The most significant economic data next week will be the monthly inflation reports. The Producer Price Index (PPI) focuses on the increase in prices of “intermediate” goods used by companies to produce finished products and will come out on Thursday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most closely watched monthly inflation report, will come out on Friday. CPI looks at the price change for those finished goods which are sold to consumers. In addition, Retail Sales will be released on Thursday. Retail Sales account for about 70% of economic activity. Import Prices and the Trade Balance will round out the week. In addition, there will be Treasury auctions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. To learn more about news impacting interest rates and mortgage markets, go to www.mbsquoteline.com To learn more about the newsletter, please call 800-627-1077 All material Copyright © Ress No. 1, LTD and may not be reproduced without permission. 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.
