• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Sentiment among home builders roared to a 12-year high in March, propelled by industry approval of early steps from President Donald Trump. The National Association of Home Builders’ closely-watched confidence index surged 6 points to 71, the highest level since June 2005. The index jumped sharply to a fresh cycle high in the month after

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day meeting Wednesday as the markets widely expected it would raise its benchmark interest rate a quarter point

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

That’s the term given to investors who protest inflationary policies by selling bonds. This, in turn, pushes yields higher, and could create serious headwinds.

• March 15, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate 0.25%, and reaffirmed its forecast for three rate rises this year. The central bank cited continued expansion in the labor market, “solid” job gains, rising household spending and firming business fixed investment in its decision.

• March 14, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

It may not be the Fed that signals a more aggressive rate hiking scenario Wednesday — it could be the inflation data. The Fed is expected to hike interest rates by a quarter point Wednesday afternoon, and it is likely to sound more upbeat about the economy. Its dual mandate — inflation and employment —

• March 14, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

February headline Producer Price Index 0.3% vs.estimates of 0.1%. Core PPI 0.3% vs. estimates of 0.2%. YOY PPI 2.2% vs. estimates of 2.0%. Core YOY PPI 1.5% vs. estimates of 1.5%. Inflation on the front end is now at 2.2% and is generally negative for interest rate pricing.

• March 14, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The Fed confirmed that its interest-rate policy committee will meet as planned on Tuesday and Wednesday despite the winter storm that has hobbled much of the Nottheast. The Fed is widely expected to raise the range of its benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter-point at the end of its discussions. The central bank will

• March 14, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Crude futures reversed direction and turned lower on Tuesday, after a monthly report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries showed production out of Saudi Arabia cresting back above 10 million barrels of oil per day.

• March 14, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

The bond market believes the economy is gaining momentum. Long before Federal Reserve policymakers begin gathering in Washington today to debate what to do with interest rates, mortgage rates throughout the country have been heating up. Borrowing rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have climbed to 4.21%. That’s up from 4.09% in January and 3.54% in

• March 10, 2017
• no comment
• realestatelife

Treasury yields moved moderately lower Friday as investors awaited the jobs report from President Donald Trump’s first full month in office. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note edged lower to 2.604%, while the yield on the 30-year bond was flat at 3.189%. The yield on the two-year note was off slightly at 1.376%. Treasury