In a couple of hours, the FOMC will wrap up their two-day meeting with an announcement on their decision on if they are going to make adjustments to the Fed funds rate. The Fed funds rate does not directly affect mortgage interest rates (except for HELOCs) however, it does influence the direction of mortgage rates. This is because the Fed’s decision is based on the level of inflation. Mortgage rates react negatively to inflation as mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities/MBS). So, when the Fed raises the funds rate or keeps the rate unchanged due to inflation being too high, mortgage rates tend to move higher. If inflation is in line, we often see mortgage rates improve. [Read more…]
It’s Fed Day! [LIVE POST]
June 12, 2024 by Leave a Comment
It’s FED Day! [Live post]
May 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Around 11:00 PST today, the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee aka The Fed) will wrap up their two-day meeting with an announcement on any adjustments they are making to the federal funds rate. Although the Fed does not directly control mortgage interest rates*, the changes to the funds rate and the Fed’s commentary influences the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities or MBS) and are traded, just like other types of bonds. Markets will react to the Fed’s actions and this will impact mortgage rates. Commentary or signs that inflation is not getting into check will push mortgage rates higher and indications that inflation is taming and that the Fed will lower the funds rate soon will help lower mortgage interest rates. [Read more…]
It’s FED Day!
March 20, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Today the FOMC wraps up their two-day meeting and around 11:00 am PST, we will learn if the Fed is going to make any adjustments to the Fed Funds rate. It is widely expected they will not adjust the rate today.
What may impact mortgage interest rates today will be the press release and Fed Chair Powell’s commentary following the meeting.
As I write this post at 7:58 a.m., mortgage-backed securities are pretty flat with the 30YR 6% up 3 basis points. The DOW is up 33 to 39,243. [Read more…]
It’s FED Day! [Live post] Fed Funds Rate is UNCHANGED
January 31, 2024 by Leave a Comment
At 11:00 am PST today, the FOMC will wrap up their two-day meeting and we will learn if they have decided to make any adjustments to the Fed Funds rates. It is not anticipated that they will make any changes at this meeting. As I write this (7:35 am), mortgage backed securities are up about 22 basis point, which is following a weaker than expected ADP Employment Report. The DOW is at 38,493. [Read more…]
All Eyes are on the Fed [Live Post]
December 13, 2023 by Leave a Comment
This morning we received some mortgage rate friendly news on the PPI (producer price index) showing that overall inflation was flat last month. This bit news is just hours before the Fed wraps up their two-day meeting and announcement on any movement with the Fed Funds Rate at 11:00 PST. Stay tuned! I will continue to update this post today. [Read more…]
It’s Fed Day! [Live Post] No Change to the Fed Funds Rate!
September 20, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Good morning! It’s just before 7:00 am PST as I’m writing this post. In a couple of hours, we’ll hear the announcement from the FOMC wrapping up their two day meeting on measures they will take to get inflation in line, which includes adjustments to the Fed Funds rate. The Fed Funds rate does not directly impact mortgage interest rates (except for HELOCs attached to the Prime rate), however the action the Fed takes does influence the direction of mortgage interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities or MBS) and react similarly to stocks. Inflation is the “arch enemy” of bonds, which is a big part of why mortgage rates have been higher these past few years. Should the Fed indicate that inflation is taming and investors believe what the Fed is saying, we should see mortgage rates improve…and of course, the opposite is true. [Read more…]
It’s Fed Day! Will they Pause or ? [Live Post]
June 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment
10:15 am: As I begin this post, we are about 45 minutes from knowing if the Fed is going to “pause” on hiking the fed funds rate, or if the hikes will continue.
Typically, mortgage rates would be improved right now already factoring in the pause, which would indicate that inflation is taming. Inflation retreating is good news for mortgage interest rates since mortgage rates are based on bonds (mortgage-backed securities). Right now (10:17 PST), MBS for 30 year 5% are down about 10bps. [Read more…]
LIVE: It’s FED Day! Fed increases rates by a half point.
December 14, 2022 by Leave a Comment
6:49 a.m. Well… it’s kind of a live post – I will be updating this post throughout the day. This morning, all eyes are on the FOMC (aka “the Fed”) as we wait to learn how much the Fed funds rate will be adjusted. It is anticipated that the Fed will push the rate 0.500% higher today. This will directly impact loans that are attached to the Prime interest rate, such as home equity loans and many credit cards with variable rates. [Read more…]
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