Market Update For the Week of April 9, 2018

Info That Hits Us Where We Live

Black Knight reports tappable equity hit $5.4 trillion in February, 10% higher than its 2005 all-time high. This is the amount a homeowner can borrow against before reaching an 80% loan-to-value ratio.

First mortgage balances climbed to $8.8 billion, close to their pre-recession peak. But the report’s economist noted, “the market…is in a much healthier place than in 2008, with low interest rates and normalized home prices.”

The corporate strategy head for the Ellie Mae mortgage platform says, “Millennials are now officially the largest group of homebuyers…they represent 45% of total closed purchase loans in February.”

Business Top of the Week

A marketing piece should drive to a single point. Gear the message to the one action you want the reader or viewer to take–forget about accomplishing a bunch of other goals.

Review of Last Week

TRADE DEFICIT… Investors on Wall Street live with risk, so they prefer certainty everywhere else. There isn’t much certainty with global trade, as the U.S. seeks better deals from China and others, so trade worries helped drive a weekly deficit in the major stock indexes.

Rising interest rates are also a worry, though the Fed is hiking thanks to the strengthening economy. First quarter corporate earnings growth should be the strongest in seven years, while the ISM manufacturing and services indexes showed solid expansion.

The March jobs report delivered a less-than-expected 103,000 new Nonfarm Payrolls, but Hourly Earnings jumped 0.3%, to a 2.7% annual gain, and the first three months of 2018 saw a very healthy average of 201,000 jobs created. Good stuff.

The week ended with the Dow down 0.7%, to 23933; the S&P 500 down 1.4%, to 2604; and the Nasdaq down 2.1%, to 6915.

Bonds finished on a stronger note as stocks suffered aggressive selling. The 30YR FNMA 4.0%, bond we watch ended the week UP .04, at $102.59. Now two weeks in a row, national average 30-year fixed mortgage rates fell in Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Remember, mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up-to-the-minute information.

Did You Know?

Freddie Mac reports that as Millennials and Generation Z age, “they will add around 20 million households to the U.S. economy, driving housing demand over the next decade.”

This Week’s Forecast

INFLATION GROWS SLOWLY; WE LISTEN IN ON THE FED’S LAST MEET… The key read will be on inflation, and the consensus expects the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to show slow price growth in March. Analysts will scrutinize FOMC Minutes from the Fed’s last meet to glean how many more rate hikes we’ll see this year.

The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar

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

Economic Calendar for the Week of Apr 9 – Apr 13

 

Date Time (ET) Release For Consensus Prior Impact
Tu
Apr 10
08:30 Producer Price Index (PPI) Mar 0.2% 0.2% Moderate
Tu
Apr 10
08:30 Core PPI Mar 0,2% 0.2% Moderate
W
Apr 11
08:30 Consumer Price Index (CPI) Mar 0.1% 0.2% HIGH
W
Apr 11
08:30 Core CPI Mar 0,2% 0.2% HIGH
W
Apr 11
10:30 Crude Inventories 04/07 NA -4.6M Moderate
W
Apr 11
14:00 FOMC Minutes 03/21 NA NA HIGH
W
Apr 11
14:00 Treasury Budget Mar NA -$176.2B Moderate
Th
Apr 12
08:30 Initial Unemployment Claims 04/07 230K 242K Moderate
Th
Apr 12
08:30 Continuing Unemployment Claims 03/31 NA 1.808M Moderate
F
Apr 13
10:00 U. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Apr 100.6 101.4 Moderate

Federal Reserve Watch

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months… There’s almost no chance the Fed will hike rates in May, but the Fed Futures market expects the year’s second hike in June. Note: In the lower chart, a 2% probability of change is a 98% certainty the rate will stay the same.

Current Fed Funds Rate: 1.50%-1.75%

After FOMC meeting on: Consensus
May 2 1.50%-1.75%
Jun 13 1.75%-2.00%
Aug 1 1.75%-2.00%

 

Probability of change from current policy:

After FOMC meeting on: Consensus
May 2          2%
Jun 13        85%
Aug 1        21%

Statistics source: www.markettrends.com

Material in this article from: Inside Lending Market Snapshot

This is an advertisement for Jim Passi. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in this message is the property of Citywide Home Loans and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. This message is intended for business professionals only and is not intended for distribution to consumers or other third parties. The material does not represent the opinion of Citywide Home Loans. Citywide CO NMLS #67180. Regulated by the Division of Real Estate.

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.
Posted in
Jim Passi - Citiwide Home Loans

Jim Passi
Regional Manager
NMLS# 158000

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

Jim and his team went above and beyond

Jim and his team went above and beyond to make my home purchase as easy as possible. Although I took a long time to find a home, Jim was always very patient, stayed on top of every detail, and was there for every step of the way. He has been following up and been nothing but supportive since the closing. Very responsive and quick to reply. I could not have asked for a better experience and highly recommend!
Natalia T.