The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 0.4% in February and 5.4% year over year, the highest since 1983 but still lower than expected. |
According to ADP, companies added jobs at a solid pace in March, indicating that hiring is strong despite signs of a tightening labor market. |
Unemployment claims rose by more than forecast last week to 202K, likely a blip in an otherwise recovering labor market. |
Pending home sales fell 4.1% in February compared with January. However, purchase applications were up by 1% on the week. |
Home prices nationally rose 19.2% year over year in January, up from 18.9% in December, according to the CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index. |
Millennials make up 43% of homebuyers, and Baby Boomers account for 42% of home sellers, according to NAR’s Generation Trends Report. |
Fed Chair Jerome Powell commented this week that "inflation is much too high" and the Fed would raise policy rates until it is under control. |
Supply chain issues caused factory durable goods orders to fall more than expected in February, snapping a 5-month streak of increases. |
Last week's jobless numbers hit the lowest level since 1969. Fed Chairman Powell described the labor market as "tight to an unhealthy level." |
February’s existing home sales fell more than expected, down 7.2% from January, as mortgage rates rose and supply remained tight. |
New home sales also dropped in February, falling 2% for a second straight monthly decline. They were still above their pre-pandemic level. |
Quickly rising mortgage rates contributed to a 2% decline in purchase applications last week. Apps were 12% lower year over year. |
MarketMinute | How are homebuilders feeling these days?
Wholesale inflation climbed 0.8% in February, lower than estimates but still up 10% from last year, tying January for the biggest gain ever. |
February’s retail sales were lower than expected. The 0.3% gain shows consumers continued to spend but were impacted by rising prices. |
As anticipated, the Fed raised policy rates 0.25% this week to help fight inflation, which has driven up mortgage rates recently. |
Homebuilder sentiment is still very bullish, though it is down slightly from its recent peak due to higher mortgage rates and rising construction costs. |
New housing starts rebounded sharply in February, as the drag from cold weather eased. Permits fell slightly but remain at high levels. |
Purchase applications were up 1% for the week. However, rising mortgage rates have dampened refi demand, with apps down 49% from a year ago. |
MarketMinute | See what's almost returned to pre-pandemic levels
Inflation is expected to peak close to 9% in the coming months, as the Russian/Ukraine war drives up the cost of raw materials and energy. |
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday, calling on government to examine the risks and benefits of cryptocurrencies. |
Jobs data last week showed a surprisingly strong 678K new jobs were created in February, as unemployment fell to 3.8%. |
The mortgage industry originated a record $4.4 trillion last year, led by record purchase lending volume and surging cash-out refinances. |
At 3.3%, the national delinquency rate for first lien mortgages is almost even with pre-pandemic levels and near the record low set in Jan 2020. |
Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home increased 9% from the previous week but were 7% lower than the same week one year ago. |
MarketMinute | How long have typical owners lived in their homes?
According to payroll processor ADP, private companies added 475k new jobs in February. ADP also revised January's report upward by 801K. |
In his testimony before Congress, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said he still expects a quarter point Fed policy rate hike at this month's meeting. |
New jobless claims came in at 215k, the lowest this year. Continuing claims' 4-week average fell to 1.48 million, the lowest since 1970. |
Pending home sales were down 5.7% in January, continuing what is now a 3-month drop in transactions as inventory remains at an all-time low. |
Record increases in home prices translate to record levels of equity for homeowners. The average mortgage holder has $185K in equity. |
According to Redfin, U.S. homeowners had lived an average of 13.2 years in their homes in 2021, up from the 10.1-year average a decade ago. |