The big economic news this week was Friday's Employment data, which fell short of Wall Street forecasts and pushed mortgage rates lower. Investors continued to watch the situation in Europe, but there were no major market moving developments. Due to a rally on Friday, Austin mortgage rates ended the week lower.
With Austinmortgage rates near their best levels, the prudent move is for Austin homebuyers and Austin refinances to lock in their interest rates. The employment report is the most volatile, highest profile piece of economic data in the field and with the market looking for a strong number, the probability that mortgage pricing will be worse this time tomorrow is high.
The economic data took a backseat to events in Europe again this week. Improved sentiment about the troubles in Europe influenced the willingness of investors to purchase riskier assets such as stocks, hurting bond markets. As a result, after dropping to the lowest levels of the year, Austin mortgage rates ended the week a little higher.
This week, uncertainty about the pace of the economic recovery caused investors to shift to relatively safer assets, including government insured mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Also positive for mortgage markets, the economic data released this week showed that inflation remains extremely low. As a result, mortgage rates declined during the week, reaching the lowest levels of the year.
While inflation remained low, stronger than expected economic data released this week was negative for mortgage markets. As a result, Austin mortgage rates ended the week a little higher.
This week's economic data and comments from Fed officials painted a picture of a gradually improving economy with very low inflation. March Core CPI inflation rose at a tame 1.1% annual rate. This economic environment is favorable for bond markets, and Austin mortgage rates ended the week a little lower.
Weekly Unemployment Claims filled the too cold category as the rose 24K, much higher than analysts had expected. The plus 484K reading is the highest level seen since the snowstorms in late February. Blame has been laid on Easter and Cesar Chavez day. Wonder what will happen to next week’s numbers since April 20th is National Cuckoo day.
Although this week's economic data was generally stronger than expected, it was overshadowed by solid demand for the Treasury auctions and intensified concerns about the economic situation in Greece, which helped mortgage markets. After reaching the highest levels since August, mortgage rates ended a little lower than where they ended last week.
Short term we say “go on, take the money and run”. Longer term, our bias is for a double dip recession of sorts and one more chance to refinance.
Good time to take advantage of better mortgage pricing. Our next hurdle will be the removal of MBS purchases by the Fed and the elimination of the 8K tax credit. Time will tell.
