• February 15, 2017
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The U.S. economy is showing promising signs in the job market, inflation numbers and stock markets, all factors that could support a March rate hike by the Fed. At present we are at less than a 30% chance for a Fed move.

• February 15, 2017
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• realestatelife

Most U.S. retailers posted strong sales in January, even beleaguered department stores, perhaps a sign that higher consumer confidence since the election has encouraged Americans to spend more. Retail sales rose 0.4% last month following a much bigger gain in December than originally reported, the government said Wednesday.

• February 15, 2017
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The prices Americans pay for goods and services surged in January by the largest amount in four years, mostly reflecting a rebound in the cost of gasoline that’s taking a bigger chunk out of household incomes. The consumer price index, or cost of living, rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.6% in January. Economists polled had

• February 15, 2017
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January Industrial Production -0.3% vs. estimates of 0.1%. Capacity Utilization 75.3% vs. estimates of 75.6%. This is weaker data than expected, but not a major market mover.

• February 15, 2017
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December Business Inventories 0.4% vs. estimates of 0.4%, while the NAHB Home Builder’s Sentiment Index 65 vs. estimates of 67. All eyes on Janet Yellen and these will not be a large factor for today pricing.

• February 15, 2017
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• realestatelife

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is back in the hot seat, giving her semiannual monetary policy report to Congress and taking questions from members.

• February 14, 2017
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January Producer Price Index (PPI) on a MOM basis 0.6% vs. estimates of 0.3%. PPI YOY 1.6% vs. estimates of 1.5%. Core PPI MOM 0.4% vs. estimates of 0.2%. Core PPI YOY 1.2% vs. estimates of 1.1%. The MOM readings are double the market expectations, which is generally negative for interest rate pricing.

• February 14, 2017
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Waiting too long to raise interest rates would be “unwise” as economic growth continues and inflation rises, Fed Chair Janet Yellen told Congress on Tuesday. Repeating caution that she and other central bank officials have issued in recent months, Yellen said that even though the Fed expects to hike gradually and to keep policy accommodative,

• February 10, 2017
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The cost of imported goods surged in January for the third time in four months, mostly because of rising oil prices that are nudging U.S. inflation higher. Import prices rose 0.4% last month after a revised 0.5% gain in December, the government. Over the past 12 months import prices have advanced 3.7%.

• February 10, 2017
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• realestatelife

University of Michigan’s Consumser Sentiment Index 95.7 vs. estimates of 98.5. This is weaker than expected, but generally not a big factor in pricing of interest rates.