Posts Tagged ‘Federal Reserve’
FOMC Statement: Federal Reserve Discusses Rate Increase, But Concerned About Growth
The post-meeting statement of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee indicated that while the Fed is considering raising its target rate as early as June, the agency is in no hurry to cast anything in cement. The statement cited stronger labor markets and low unemployment rates as encouraging, but noted that FOMC members remain concerned about economic growth due to low inflation failing to meet the FOMC goal of two percent.
Read MoreFHFA House Price Index Rises for 14th Consecutive Quarter
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), U.S. home prices rose by 1.40 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014 and were up by 0.80 percent month-to-month from November. The seasonally adjusted FHFA House Price Index measures purchase transactions for homes connected with mortgages owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Read MoreFed Not in a Hurry to Raise Rates: FOMC Meeting Minutes
Federal Open Market Committee policymakers are in no hurry to raise the target federal funds rate. Members said that raising rates too soon could swamp the strengthening economy and expressed concerns that changing the committeeâs current “patient” stance on rising rates could cause more harm than good to current economic conditions.
Read MoreWhat’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 16, 2015
Last week’s economic news included an index of labor market conditions provided by the Federal Reserve, a report on small business sentiment, and a report from the Labor Department on job openings. Weekly jobless claims, Freddie Mac’s mortgage rates report and a report on Consumer Sentiment rounded out the week.
Read MoreWhat’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 9, 2015
Last week’s economic news included construction spending, which fell shy of expectations but exceeded the prior month’s spending, and several consumer and labor-related reports.
Read MoreWhat’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 20, 2015
Last week’s scheduled economic news was mixed. Job openings increased and jobless claims increased, and consumer sentiment rose. Mortgage rates fell across the board. Labor market conditions improved and consumer prices fell in large part due to decreasing fuel prices.
Read MoreFOMC Statement: No Year-End Surprises
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said in its last statement for 2014 that although economic conditions have improved at a moderate pace, the Fed believes that the target federal funds rate of between 0.00 and 0.25 percent remains “appropriate.” While labor markets show expanding job growth and lower unemployment rates, FOMC members noted that housing markets are recovering slowly.
Read MoreFederal Open Market Committee, Fed Chair: No Rush to Raise Rates
Wednesday’s customary post-meeting statement issued by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve provided some relief to investors and analysts concerned that the Fed may soon raise its target federal funds rate.
Read MoreWhat’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Aug 11, 2014
Last weekâs housing related news was minimal, but a Federal Reserve survey of senior loan officers revealed that although credit standards for commercial and industrial loans as well as credit cards are easing, current mortgage credit standards are more stringent than in 2005.
Read MoreFOMC Minutes: Committee Discusses “Normalizing” Policy
April’s meeting of the Fedâs Federal Open Market Committee was held along with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
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