US Economy Adds Fewer Jobs in May Than Expected

  • June 2, 2017
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  • realestate

The U.S. economy added 138,000 net new jobs in May, falling short of expectations for 185,000 jobs. The unemployment rate ticked lower to 4.3% from 4.4%, while the labor force participation rate edged down slightly to 62.7% from 62.9% during the month.

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Mortgage rates surge as latest ‘taper tantrum’ takes a bite

  • July 6, 2017
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  • realestate

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.96% in the July 6 week, up eight basis points during the week. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.22%, up from 3.17% last week. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.21%, up four basis points. Those rates don’t include fees associated with obtaining mortgage loans.

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Job Report Data

  • June 2, 2017
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  • realestate

May Non Farm Payrolls 138,000 vs. estimates of 185,000. April NFP revised from 211,000 to 174,000. Unemployment Rate 4.3% vs. estimates of 4.4%. Average Hourly Wages MOM 0.2% vs. estimates of 0.2%. Average Hourly Wage YOY 2.5%.

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U.S. trade deficit climbs

  • June 2, 2017
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  • realestate

The nation’s trade deficit rose 5.2% in April, keeping the U.S. on track to post a bigger gap in 2017 than in 2016. The deficit climbed to $47.6 billion in April from a revised $45.3 billion in March, the Commerce Department said Friday. Economists polled had forecast a $46.5 billion gap.

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Service sector accelerates in June, ISM survey finds

  • July 6, 2017
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  • realestate

The Institute for Supply Management’s nonmanufacturing index rose to 57.4% in June from 56.9% in May, topping the economist consensus for a reading of 56.5%.

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U.S. productivity in first quarter: zero

  • June 5, 2017
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  • realestate

The productivity of American companies and their employees wasn’t as bad in the first quarter as originally reported. The government on Monday said productivity was unchanged in the first three months of 2017 instead of declining at a 0.6% annual rate. The biggest change: The increase in output, or how many goods and services companies

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Factory orders decline 0.2% in April, snapping four-month winning streak

  • June 5, 2017
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  • realestate

Factory orders dipped 0.2% in April, the Commerce Department said Monday. That matched the Econoday consensus forecast and was the first monthly decline after a four-month stretch of increases. March’s 0.2% increase was revised up to a hefty 1.0% rise. For the year to date, orders are 4.4% higher than in the same period a

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American employers added 222,000 jobs in June, beating expectations of 179,000.

  • July 7, 2017
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  • realestate

The U.S. created 222,000 new jobs in June and hiring was stronger in the spring than previously reported, reflecting a labor market with plenty of vigor left in it. Economists polled had predicted a 180,000 increase in nonfarm jobs. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% from 4.3% as more people entered the labor force in

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April JOLTS Report

  • June 6, 2017
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  • realestate

April JOLTS report shows 6.044M unfilled job openings vs. estimates of 5.650M. This is a huge number and suggests the labor market still has room to run provided that their are qualified people with the corresponding skill set to match up with the open jobs. Not enough to turn the positive move for interest rates

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Fed forecasts gradual rate increases, balance-sheet reduction to start this year

  • July 7, 2017
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  • realestate

The Federal Reserve expects a “gradual” increase in interest rates and for balance sheet normalization to begin this year, according to the monetary policy report released Friday. That’s the same assessment the Federal Open Market Committee gave after its June meeting, and comes ahead of Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen’s testimony on Capitol Hill next

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