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Economic indicators

Middle East conflict stokes inflation, risks higher rates

Economic indicators, Economic news, Mortgage Rates, Politics and policy, REALTORS & HOMEBUILDERS /

Early market reactions to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict suggest inflation fears, not flight-to-safety buying, are dominating Treasury yields, a dynamic that could put upward pressure on mortgage rates. Processing Content Resolving the conflict swiftly and handling it in such a way that it increases security in the region could have some positive ramifications for housing, but […]

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What the Fed’s first look in 2026 means for mortgages

Capital markets, Economic indicators, Economic news, Mortgage Rates, Politics and policy /

The Federal Open Market Committee’s initial take on the economy in 2026 may temper NMN-surveyed mortgage professionals’ view that rates will fall fast and far enough to generate significant revenue gains this year. Processing Content Monetary policymakers weighed the balance of risks associated with a softer market vs. inflation in their widely anticipated decision to

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US payrolls rise 64,000 after October drop, unemployment up

Economic indicators, Employment data /

US job growth remained sluggish in November and the unemployment rate rose to a four-year high, pointing to a continued cooling in the labor market after a weak October. Processing Content Nonfarm payrolls increased 64,000 in November after declining 105,000 in October, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out Tuesday. The unemployment rate was

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Consumer spending stalled in September, inflation in line

Economic indicators /

US consumer spending stalled in September, suggesting Americans were already stretched going into the government shutdown in the face of stubborn inflation. Consumer spending, adjusted for changes in prices, was little changed in September, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data out Friday. That followed a downwardly revised 0.2% advance in August. The report was

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Home Depot cuts forecast on weak demand for big-ticket items

Economic indicators, Housing Inventory, Housing markets, Originations /

Home Depot Inc. cut its full-year earnings guidance, warning that some unsteady consumers are hitting the pause button on big-ticket home purchases. The world’s largest home-improvement retailer said it expects adjusted earnings per share to decline 5% from a year ago, lower than its previous forecast. The company said its profit and comparable sales came

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December Fed rate cut still on the table for most economists

Economic indicators, Federal Reserve, Mortgage Rates /

After the Federal Open Markets Committee reduced short-term rates by 25 basis points at each of its two most recent meetings, economists are mixed on whether the December meeting will have a third cut, the November Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators study found. The survey was taken on Nov. 4 and 5, prior to

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New-home sales unexpectedly jump over 20% in broad advance

Economic indicators, Housing markets /

New-home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly surged in August to the fastest pace since early 2022, likely lifted by builders’ rampant price cuts and sales incentives to motivate buyers in a jittery economy. Sales of new single-family homes increased 20.5% to a 800,000 annualized rate in a broad advance, according to a government report issued

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Mortgage firms add staff as rate cuts look likely

CAREER & COMPENSATION, Economic indicators, Mortgage Rates, Originations, Servicing /

Housing finance firms have been adding staff as falling mortgage rates look more likely, with stronger overall job growth raising the chances of modest business gains for the industry. “This is likely to support some additional decline in rates, which will offer opportunities at the margin for people to buy,” said Doug Duncan, former chief

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Economy adds anemic 22,000 jobs in August

Economy adds anemic 22,000 jobs in August

Economic indicators, Economy, Monetary policy, Politics and policy /

Bloomberg News WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the economy added 22,000 jobs in August, an anemic growth rate that could pave the way for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates during their next meeting later this month. BLS reported that the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.3%, while the

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Trump’s BLS firing impacts perceptions more than numbers

Trump’s BLS firing impacts perceptions more than numbers

Economic indicators, Economy, Politics and policy, Trump administration /

Bloomberg News By firing one of the country’s top economic research officials, President Donald Trump might have instilled less confidence in the legitimacy of government-produced data rather than more.  On Friday, Trump terminated Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, claiming that she “rigged” the data in last week’s employment situation report to hurt the

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