Mortgage Market in Review – December 1, 2014

November 30, 2014
Market Comment

Mortgage bond prices finished the week higher, which pushed rates a little lower. Rates were slightly positive the beginning of the week tied to the weaker than expected data. Industrial production fell 0.1% and capacity utilization printed at 78.9. Traders expected a 0.2% production increase and utilization at 79.3. Producer prices rose 0.2% in October and the core value, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, rose 0.4%. The core figure was higher than the expected 0.1% increase, which was not rate friendly. Weekly jobless claims printed at 291K versus the expected 285K, which was rate friendly. Mortgage interest rates finished the week better by approximately 3/8’s of a discount point.

LOOKING AHEAD

Economic
Indicator		 Release
Date & Time		 Consensus
Estimate
Analysis
ISM Index Monday, Dec. 1,
10:00 am, et		 58.8 Important.  A measure of manufacturer sentiment.  Weakness may lead to lower mortgage rates.
ADP Employment Wednesday, Dec. 3,
8:30 am, et		 227k Important.  An indication of employment.  Weakness may bring lower rates.
Revised Q3 Productivity Wednesday, Dec. 3,
8:30 am, et		 Up 1.2% Important.  A measure of output per hour.  Improvement may lead to lower mortgage rates.
Fed “Beige Book” Wednesday, Dec. 3,
2:00 pm, et		 None Important.  This Fed report details current economic conditions across the US.  Signs of weakness may lead to lower rates.
Weekly Jobless Claims Thursday, Dec. 4,
8:30 am, et		 283k Important.  An indication of employment.   Higher claims may result in lower rates.
Employment Friday, Dec. 5,
8:30 am, et		 5.8%,
Payrolls +219k		 Very important.  An increase in unemployment or weakness in payrolls may bring lower rates.
Factory Orders Friday, Dec. 5,
10:00 am, et		 Up 0.4% Important.  A measure of manufacturing sector strength.  Weakness may lead to lower rates.

Productivity

Productivity is the rate at which goods or services are produced.  It is most commonly defined in terms of labor, which is the contribution of people to the process.  Labor costs represent about two thirds of the value of the output produced.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor releases the most widely cited productivity statistics quarterly and annually.  Increased productivity is often credited for economic growth with little signs of inflation.

Productivity is significant in that as it increases, businesses can produce more with the same or less input.  This wealth building effect is vital to the US economy.  As productivity increases, the US economy generally performs better.  As productivity decreases, the economy generally suffers.  While the bond market generally favors signs of weakness in the economy, bonds tolerate growth as long as the economic environment shows little or no inflationary pressures.  Keep in mind that rates remain very favorable.  Now is a great time to avoid the uncertainty surrounding continued market volatility.

 

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