Archive for April, 2009

Rates Stay in Record Territory

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Long-term mortgages reclaimed record low status this week as the 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) dropped to 4.78 percent. This ties the record that was set on April 7 as the lowest interest rate recorded by Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market...(read more)

MBA Application Activity Falls 18.1%

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

The Mortgage Bankers Association today released it's survey on mortgage application activity for the week ending April 24th. The index, which measures both purchase and refinance volume as reported by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts...(read more)

Pace of Decline in U.S. Home Prices Slows in February

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

The S&P Case-Shiller home price index fell less than expected in February, although 10 of 20 metro areas still showed record rates of decline. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index fell to a reading of 143.17 in February again expectations for...(read more)

Tuesday’s Events: Consumer Confidence and House Prices

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Some U.S. house price data and consumer confidence figures top the day's main economic events on Tuesday, along with some central bank speakers from the Bank of Canada and European Central Bank. At 9 a.m. EDT, S&P and Case Shiller will release...(read more)

Monday’s Events: GM to Make Large Restructuring Announcement

Monday, April 27th, 2009

In the absence of any major economic data releases from the United States on Monday, General Motors press conference is likely to draw attention as the automaker announces more key restructuring plans. At 9 a.m. EDT, General Motors is holding a press...(read more)

U.S. New Home Sales Fall in March After Upward Revision to Previous Month

Friday, April 24th, 2009

New home sales in the U.S. fell slightly in March due to a strong upward revision to the previous month's figure, the Department of Commerce reported Friday. New home sales fell to an annualized pace of 356k, a 0.6% decrease from February, the report...(read more)

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Fall Less Than Expected in March

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Demand for big-ticket items in the U.S. dropped less than economists were expecting in March, according to the U.S. Commerce Department on Friday. Durable goods orders excluding transportation posted a drop of 0.6% despite forecasts for a 1.2% decline...(read more)

Friday’s Events: U.S. Durable Goods, New Home Sales, G7 Meets in Washington

Friday, April 24th, 2009

U.S. durable goods and new home sales are the main economic data releases of the day, as the G7 finance ministers meet in Washington D.C. At 8:30 a.m. EDT, the U.S. Department of Commerce will release its March durable goods report. Economists expect...(read more)

U.S. New Home Sales Will Likely Continue to Struggle

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Despite some signs of relief in the U.S. housing market, most economists foresee continued challenges for new home sales over the coming months. After unexpectedly rising 4.7% in February to 337k, economists expect new home sales in the U.S. to remain...(read more)

Long Term Fixed Rates Drop Below ARMs

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Mortgage interest rates continued to inch downward during the week ended April 23 and long term fixed rates are now an out-and-out better deal than ARMs from day one. Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey released this morning reported...(read more)