Market Update for the Week of October 15, 2018

MARKET UPDATE

Fannie Mae‘s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) slipped a tick overall in September, though the share of respondents who say now is a good time to buy rose by 5%.

The ADP and Moody’s Analytics National Employment Report revealed 34,000 construction jobs were added to the economy in September. That should boost home building activity.

Recent data reveals home prices are easing some–17.4% of Trulia’s listings in August had price cuts, up from 16.7% a year ago, and now at the highest level in four years.

REVIEW OF LAST WEEK

OUCH!… Stocks dipped badly, then recovered, though not enough to avoid the S&P 500’s worst week since March. Rate concerns caused the pain, as bond prices dropped, sending yields (and possibly interest rates) up.

But the Fed hikes rates to tame inflation, and last week, CPI inflation came in lower than expected. Anyway, as one analyst put it, “higher interest rates are warranted when the economy is strong.”

Hey, S&P 500 companies should report Q3 earnings up almost 20% the past year, according to FactSet. Plus, preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment for October came in higher than the average read for 2018.

The week ended with the Dow down 4.2%, to 25340; the S&P 500 down 4.1%, to 2767; and the Nasdaq down 3.7%, to 7497.

Bond prices in general went lower, although the 30YR FNMA 4.0% bond ended UP .16, to $100.13. In Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate headed back up. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up-to-the-minute information.

DID YOU KNOW?

The latest Zillow Group study on consumer housing trends reports down payments averaged 15 percent for first-time buyers.

THIS WEEK’S FORECAST

EXISTING HOME SALES, HOUSING STARTS SLIP; PERMITS, RETAIL SOAR; WE CHECK ON THE FED… The forecast is for a slower pace of Existing Home Sales and Housing Starts in September, but Building Permits and Retail Sales should climb, good signs going forward. And FOMC Minutes will tell us what the Fed said at the last meeting.

NOTE: Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and higher loan rates.

FEDERAL RESERVE WATCH

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months… Despite last week’s talk about rising rates, the Fed futures market expects no changes until a quarter percent bump at the final FOMC meeting of the year. Note: In the lower chart, a 2% probability of change is a 98% probability the rate will stay the same.

Current Fed Funds Rate: 2.00%-2.25%

AFTER FOMC MEETING ON: CONSENSUS
Nov   8 2.00%-2.25%
Dec 19 2.25%-2.50%
Jan  30 2.25%-2.50%

Probability of change from current policy:

AFTER FOMC MEETING ON: CONSENSUS
Nov   8    2%
Dec 19   80%
Jan 30   25%
The Jim Passi Team at Citywide Home Loans proudly serves Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia and Flordia. If you are looking to buy a home or refinance, we have you covered. Apply Now to get started.
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Jim Passi
Regional Manager
NMLS# 158000

1284 West Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
Mobile: 847-899-1813
Email: jim.passi@alamedamortgage.com

We closed on our new

We closed on our new home a couple of weeks ago and the process couldn’t have been easier. I think selecting a new washer and dryer was more confusing! The paperwork was minimal and Jim and his staff moved quickly through every step. Jim was easy to reach and always available to answer questions. I would highly recommend Jim to anyone hoping to secure a mortgage, but especially to first time home buyers. He made the process smooth and uncomplicated.

Teresa S.