Archive for May, 2009

Mid-Morning Recap: Markets Held Down By Labor Data

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Positive data and hopeful testimony from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at 10 am haven’t been enough to push markets higher following a lower opening on Thursday. Investor sentiment remains weary from Wednesday’s slide and a sour Jobless...(read more)

Surveys Show Easing of Mortgage Rates

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Long term mortgages rates declined slightly last week although none reached the record lows that were established a few weeks ago According to results of Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the period ended May 21, the 30-year...(read more)

Geithner Says TARP Effective in Stabilizing Financial System

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the Troubled Asset Relief Program was “proving effective” in stabilizing the financial system, but he said Treasury must strike a “delicate balance” between market forces and government...(read more)

Mortgage Loan Applications Up 42% from Last Year

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Mortgage Loan Applications increased 2.3% in the week ending May 15, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association on Wednesday morning. The private industry group said their weekly index ― the Market Composite Index, which began in 1990 ― is now at 915...(read more)

Mid-Morning Recap: Stocks Neutral on Decent Earnings, Poor Housing Data

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

Following a 3% gain on Monday, the S&P 500 is about neutral after the first hour of trading on Tuesday, a fitting response to a better than expected earnings report from Home Depot contrasts with worse than anticipated housing data. As of 10:30 am...(read more)

Housing Starts Tumble as Multiple Unit Construction Tanks

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

A government survey measuring new residential construction came in much weaker than forecasts on Tuesday, as plans to build multiple-unit condos plummeted in April. Housing starts ― plans for building new homes ― fell dramatically by 12.8% in April to...(read more)

Stimulus Funds Not Available for Down-Payments

Monday, May 18th, 2009

CONTENT UPDATE : According to HUD this program has been "suspended until further notice". A new twist to the nation's economic stimulus program may make it easier to turn an $8,000 tax credit into a first-time home. Under a decision announced...(read more)

Mid-Morning Recap: Markets Open Higher on Lowe’s Earnings

Monday, May 18th, 2009

After falling a little more than 5% last week, the S&P 500 opened 11 points higher Monday morning, and roughly 90 minutes into the session had edged up 1.75% to 898.3. Similar patterns were seen in the Dow, which climbed 1.67% to 8407, and the Nasqaq...(read more)

Mid-Morning Recap: Markets Volatile on Encouraging Data

Friday, May 15th, 2009

It’s been a volatile morning for markets. The Dow has dipped into negative four times in the first 90 minutes of trading, but all three indexes look poised to end Friday on a high note. As of 11 am, the Dow is up 0.58% at 8379, the S&P 500 is...(read ...

Weekly Report Notes Modest Rate Changes

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Mortgage interest rates changed very little during the week ended May 14 according to data released Thursday morning by Freddie Mac. Results of the corporations weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey placed the average interest rate of the conventional...(read more)