Market Comment
Mortgage bond prices finished the week lower, which pushed rates higher. Stock volatility dominated headlines. The DOW fell over 600 points Monday morning, which initially helped rates improve. Stocks recovered later in the week and mortgage rates worsened. The data was generally not rate friendly. New home sales were 507K versus the expected 500K. Consumer sentiment was 101.5 versus the expected 93.1 mark. Durable goods orders rose 2.0%. Analysts expected a 0.6% decrease. Mortgage interest rates finished the week worse by about 1/8 to 1/4 of a discount point.
Fed “Beige Book” The Fed “Beige Book” is a summary of economic conditions from each of the 12 Federal Reserve regional districts. The release takes place eight times a year approximately two weeks ahead of each of the Federal Open Market Committee meetings. The report is used at the FOMC meetings, which tends to be one of the most influential events in the market. Market participants are continually attempting to determine what FOMC interest rate policy will be ahead of the next meeting. Any deviation from expectations usually results in extreme short-term market volatility. The timing of the “Beige Book” provides analysts a valuable look at one of the many factors the FOMC considers in setting interest rate policy. The Fed’s ability to keep rates lower may be somewhat restricted if the “Beige Book” shows signs of economic growth and inflationary pressures. However, if the report shows signs of difficulties, the Fed may keep rates low to stimulate the economy. Be cautious heading into this release.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
-
Recent Posts
-
Recent Comments
-
Archives
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- June 2013
- April 2013
- February 2013
-
Categories
-
Meta