Archive for July, 2009

Mid-Day Recap: Mixed Reaction as Q2 GDP Drops 1%

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Market reaction has been mixed since it was confirmed that second-quarter GDP contracted at a much slower pace than the in the prior quarter. The data suggests the recession is coming to an end, but the view ahead is far from clear and rosy. Although stock indexes look ready to end ...

FHA Borrowers Now Eligible for Loan Modification Programs

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan released new guidelines on Thursday for FHA's Affordable Modification Program to bring it into compliance with The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 signed by President Obama in May. ...(read more)

GSEs Say Mortgage Rates Rose Last Week

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Mortgages rates rose across the board during the most recent week according to data released by both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac's vice president says that bond Rates and more rosy economic news helped to fuel the increases. ...(read more)

Mid-Day Recap: Market Rally Resumes as Nasdaq Crosses 2,000

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

After a two-day pause on Tuesday and Wednesday, markets are continuing the rally that began three weeks ago. Midway through Thursday, markets are up close to 2%, with the Nasdaq crossing the 2,000 mark for the first time since October....(read more)

Mid-Day Recap: Multiple Factors Drive Stocks South

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

It’s adding up to be a pretty bad day for markets as new orders for durable goods tumbled, demand for mortgage applications shrunk, the Chinese stock market dropped precipitously, crude oil continues to weaken, and earnings were soft all around....(read more)

Rising Mortgage Rates Slow Application Activity

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Mortgage rates climbed for the second straight week, pulling down demand for mortgage applications, particularly for refinancing, according to a weekly industry survey. The Mortgage Bankers Association said average rates for a 30-year mortgage moved up 0.05 percentage points to 5.36% in the week ending July 24, which follows a rebound ...

Mid-Day Recap: Risk Averse Attitude Moves Stocks Lower. Yield Curve Rallies

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Housing data was positive this morning but markets are reeling from mixed earnings reports and weak consumer confidence. Ninety minutes into the session, all three major indexes are trading lower, following 11 days of rapid gains. As of 11:00, the S&P 500 is the worst of the bunch, down 0.52% at ...

S&P Says Home Prices Improve for Fourth Straight Month

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Home prices across the nation improved for their fourth consecutive month in May but remain about 17% lower than one year ago, according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index. The 10-City and 20-City Composites are 16.8% and 17.1% lower, respectively, compared to May 2008. Historically, those are major declines, but ...

Mid-Day Recap: Stocks Fall Despite Major Gain in New Homes Data

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Markets jumped in the minutes after the New Home Sales report posted its biggest one-month leap in eight year, as of noon in Monday’s session all three markets have dipped back into the red. However, markets shot up more 11% over the past two weeks, so the minor decline ...

New Home Sales Jump in June

Monday, July 27th, 2009

The morning began with great news for the housing market. Sales of new single-family homes shot up 11% in June ― the biggest one-month jump in eight years ― bringing the annual pace of sales to 384,000, well above the market consensus of just 350,000. “This report along with recent ...