Greenway's Markets in a Minute I The Fed Hints at No 2019 Rate Changes

Blog

Feb 22

1:08

Category | Markets in a Minute

For the Week Ending February 22, 2019

Please enjoy this quick update on what happened this week in the housing and financial markets.


	The unsecured personal loan market hit an all-time high last year, reaching $138 billion. A rise in lending from fintech firms is helping to fuel the borrowing frenzy.
	Minutes released from last month's FOMC meeting show the Fed is likely to hold off on policy rate increases in 2019 and may slow balance sheet reductions too.
	Jobless claims fell last week, down 23,000 to 216,000. But the 4-week average rose to a 1-year high, suggesting the labor market may be slowing down slightly.


	Homebuilder sentiment rose in February after falling at the end of 2018. Lower mortgage rates and continued job market strength have boosted optimism.
	January's existing home sales were at their lowest level in 3+ years. Sales were down 8.5% from a year ago, continuing a loss of momentum in the market.
	January's median price for all housing types was up 2.8% over a year ago, at $247,500. At January's pace, inventory will be exhausted in 3.9 months.

Rate movements and volatility are based on published, aggregate national averages and measured from the previous to the most recent midweek daily reporting period. These rate trends can differ from our own and are subject to change at any time.