• July 7, 2017
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• realestatelife

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

• July 7, 2017
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• realestatelife

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

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

Employers added a seasonally-adjusted 153,000 jobs during the month, payroll processor ADP said. That was below the 180,000 jobs that a consensus of economists had forecast.

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Thursday, joining a global selloff in government paper, as investors took a cautious stance amid fears that central banks were on the verge of halting easy-money policies.

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

The trade deficit fell 2.3% in May largely because of fewer imports of cell phones and other consumer goods, but the longer-run outlook for the U.S. was still grim. The deficit slipped to $46.5 billion in May from $47.6 billion in April, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Economists polled had forecast a $46.3 billion gap.

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

Initial jobless claims in the period running from June 25 to July 1 increased 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 248,000, the government said Thursday. Initial claims count people who apply for benefits after losing their jobs.

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

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.

• July 6, 2017
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• realestatelife

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%.

• July 5, 2017
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• realestatelife

The Federal Reserve could trigger a long-awaited move to reduce its massive $4.5 trillion in debt holdings by September, a summary of the central bank’s last meeting suggest.

• July 5, 2017
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• realestatelife

Nationally, prices rose 6.6% compared to a year ago, according to a home price index released Wednesday from data provider Core Logic. Prices rose 1.2% from April to May, the company also said. While that’s helping current owners, “for renters and potential first-time home buyers, it is not such a pretty picture