| 151. | Mortgage Rates Soft Despite Firm Treasury Yields
A sharp pullback in energy prices coupled with unexpected strength in service-sector jobs tugged Treasury yields slightly higher on Tuesday, although rates for key mortgage products stayed stable to soft after the holiday weekend., The post-holiday trading session saw Treasury yields, which move opposite of prices, uptick while U.S. stocks rallied on relief that crude oil and gasoline prices finally toppled from their lofty levels., ..
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| Tuesday, September 06, 2005 |
| | 152. | Employment Report Doesn't Rattle Mortgage Rates
A tepid August Employment report had a minimal effect on the financial markets on Friday. The addition of 169,000 jobs to non-farm payrolls was weaker than the expected 190,000-job increase. But upward revisions in the June and July employment numberAlthough the jobs report may be been stronger than bond traders were hoping for, the effect on Treasury prices was minor and yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, edged up just a tad. This allowed mortgage lenders to keep rates unch..
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| Friday, September 02, 2005 |
| | 153. | Mortgage Rates Hold at Low Levels
Further signs on Thursday that the U.S. economy is not quite as muscular as economists had forecast helped keep short- and intermediate-term U.S. Treasury securities prices firm for a third consecutive session, while the long end gave back some recenThe day's trade had muted impact on already-low mortgage rates, which stuck at fairly stable levels on Thursday after this week's declines, as the market continued to grapple with the implications of Hurricane Katrina's devastation on ene..
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| Thursday, September 01, 2005 |
| | 154. | Mortgage Rates Dip Further, Bonds Jump
U.S. Treasury securities prices advanced smartly for a second consecutive day Wednesday, lifted by signs that the economy is not growing at too-fast a clip and that the Federal Reserve might not need to keep raising short-term rates. Some signs also The rise in Treasury prices meant yields, which move the opposite direction, fell and allowed mortgage lenders to lower rates on at least some products., ..
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| Wednesday, August 31, 2005 |
| | 155. | Mortgage Rates Begin Edging Down
Surging oil prices may be tough on consumers, but U.S. Treasury securities staged a strong rally as prices climbed, with yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, closing at their lowest levels since the first week in July. Oil prices rTreasuries Focus on Oil, Ignore Economic News, ..
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| Tuesday, August 30, 2005 |
| | 156. | Mortgage Rates Unchanged Despite Turbulence
Prices of U.S. Treasuries soared in overnight trading, with yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, hitting their lowest levels since mid-July in the early hours of Monday. The catalyst? Hurricane Katrina and the devastation wreaked There was no economic news released on Monday, which meant the focus was solely on oil prices, which bond traders now believe will slow the economy and keep a lid on inflation, and the wide-ranging effects of the storm. Treasuries fear inflation as i..
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| Monday, August 29, 2005 |
| | 157. | Treasury Yields Climb Back Up; Mortgage Rates Hold
Treasury yields were volatile, falling in the morning only to rebound later in the day. A bond-friendly reading on consumer sentiment spurred buying in U.S. Treasury securities early in Friday's session and sent yields, which move in the oppositeNot long after the markets opened the University of Michigan's final consumer sentiment survey for August was released, showing sentiment taking a dive. The final reading fell to 89.1, down significantly from the final July reading of 96.5. Not s..
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| Friday, August 26, 2005 |
| | 158. | Mortgage Rates Continue to Move South
U.S. Treasury securities traded in a tight range on Thursday, adopting a wait-and-see attitude prior to a Friday speech by Fed chairman Alan Greenspan. Traders may also be looking ahead to next week when a glut of economic reports will be released. T
First-time unemployment claims for the week ended Aug. 20, the only economic release of the day, were not a factor. Claims fell by 4,000 to 315,000, while the more closely watched four-week average edged up to 315,000. Continued claims, people coll..
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| Thursday, August 25, 2005 |
| | 159. | Mortgage Rates Begin to Creep Down
Two divergent economic reports pushed and pulled on U.S. Treasury securities on Wednesday. A bond-friendly reading on Durable Goods Orders for July rallied Treasuries as the markets opened, but strong New Homes Sales sent them back down. Another reco
Durable goods suffered their biggest decrease in 18 months, falling by an unexpected 4.9 percent when analysts predicted a 3.5 percent decline. Both numbers were substantially lower than the revised 1.9 percent increase posted in June. Even though ..
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| Wednesday, August 24, 2005 |
| | 160. | Housing Sales Slump, Treasuries Rise
Sales of existing homes in July were weaker than expected and U.S. Treasury securities rallied on the news. Traders bought on the premise that a slowdown in housing would cause a downshift in the economy, which could keep the Fed from making more aggAccording to the National Association of Realtors®, Existing Home Sales (EHS) fell 2.6 percent to an annual rate of 7.16 million units. Although this is the third highest level in history, it was below estimates for 7.25 million units, and far shy of..
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| Tuesday, August 23, 2005 |
| | 161. | Light Trading Leaves Mortgage Rates Unchanged
Light trading in U.S. Treasury securities on Monday during this - historically the slowest month of the year - resulted in yields remaining close to unchanged. Treasuries got off to a rocky start when investors began buying yen-denominated stocks on When oil headed back down stocks regained their composure and actually clawed their way back into positive territory just before closing. Oil gained only10 cents on the session to close at $65.45 a barrel, and Treasuries were largely unchanged. Stead..
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| Monday, August 22, 2005 |
| | 162. | Mortgage Rates Edge Up, Treasuries Stable
U.S. Treasury securities prices shaved early losses to end little-changed on Friday, while mortgage rates rose slightly, as traders stepped back to mull another jump in crude oil and eyed erosion in stocks after a huge jury award against a giant U.S.A renewed surge in crude oil prices reminded traders of the inflationary potential of higher energy costs, especially on the heels of Wednesday's unexpectedly strong rise in producer prices. Oil's strength undermined early firmness in key sto..
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| Friday, August 19, 2005 |
| | 163. | 10-year Note Yield Falls, But Mortgage Rates Dig In
Bond traders focused on the positive and ignored the negative on Thursday. Bond-friendly reports ignited strong buying that sent prices on U.S. Treasury securities up and their yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, down to their lowFirst-time unemployment claims for the week ended August 12 rose by 6,000 to 316,000, exceeding estimates of a climb to 310,000 from an unrevised 306,000 the previous week. In addition, the more closely watched four-week average rose to 312,750 and c..
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| Thursday, August 18, 2005 |
| | 164. | Treasuries Give Back Gains, But Mortgage Rates Remain Steady
A big jump in the Producer Price Index (PPI) for July coupled with a sharp drop in oil prices Wednesday spurred selling in U.S. Treasury securities. The possibility of inflation loomed large after the release of the PPI and the stifling effect of hiThe PPI, which checks for inflation at the wholesale level, shocked the financial markets by climbing 1 percent - double forecasts. Rising energy costs were a big part of the increase, but the price of food fell again. And the core rate, which elimin..
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| Wednesday, August 17, 2005 |
| | 165. | Treasuries Stage Big-Time Rally as Mortgage Rates Hold
Benign economic news ignited strong buying in U.S. Treasury securities on Tuesday. Concerns over both inflation and strong economic growth evaporated as a batch of economic indicators pointed down. Even the fed funds futures that forecast the probabThe Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July rallied traders. Although the CPI rose 0.5 percent, which was higher than the 0.4 percent increase and way up from the unchanged reading in June, the core rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, r..
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| Tuesday, August 16, 2005 |
| | 166. | Mortgage Rates Hold Steady
U.S. Treasury securities sagged on Monday after the Fed released its manufacturing index for New York State. Strength in many of the report's components raised concern about strong economic growth and attendant inflation, which robs fixed-rate asThe NY Empire State index of August manufacturing conditions crept down to 23 from 23.9, but it was stronger than the 20 that was forecast, giving Treasury traders a jolt. But the worst news was inside the report, which showed a big increase in new o..
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| Monday, August 15, 2005 |
| | 167. | Oil Boosts Treasuries But Rates Don't Slide
Another spike in oil prices caught the attention of bond traders, who believe more than ever that soaring oil prices will slow the U.S. economy without aggressive Fed action regarding interest rates. Strong buying on Friday sent prices on U.S. TreasEconomic News Supports Treasuries, ..
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| Friday, August 12, 2005 |
| | 168. | Rates Hold as Treasuries Rally
A weaker-than-expected report on Retail Sales for July, a new high for oil prices and a successful auction of 10-year notes brought buyers back to U.S. Treasury securities. Although buying wasn't rampant, it was steady enough to send prices up aRetail sales grew by a healthy 1.8 percent, but fell short of the estimates for a 2.4-percent gain. The lion's share of sales, however, was due to 'employee-discount' pricing that bolstered auto sales during the month. When auto sales wer..
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| Thursday, August 11, 2005 |
| | 169. | Mortgage Rates Downtick Despite Crude Oil Rise
A renewed rise in crude oil price on Wednesday siphoned the energy out of the U.S. stock and bond markets, reminding traders that high oil and gasoline prices could drag on economic growth and ultimately push inflation to the forefront again. Still, Light sweet crude oil futures for September delivery popped up above $65 a barrel to another new record intraday peak, lifted partly by continuing supply concerns pinned to tensions in the Middle East. News that oil inventories expanded more than exp..
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| Wednesday, August 10, 2005 |
| | 170. | Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated
The Fed raised short-term interest rates by 25 basis points on Tuesday for the 10th consecutive time since June 30, 2004. This brings the target fed funds rate to 3.5 percent. The financial markets fully expected this decision but rallied in its wake'Aggregate spending, despite high energy prices, appears to have strengthened since late winter, and labor market conditions continue to improve gradually,' the Fed stated. It also noted that 'core inflation has been relatively low in rec..
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| Tuesday, August 09, 2005 |
| | 171. | The Fed Does It Again
For the tenth consecutive time since June 30, 2004, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the target rate on fed funds - the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans - by 25 basis points to 3.5 percent.
This move came as no surprise, as The statement that accompanied word of the rate hike was similar to previous statements. The Fed stated that spending was up and the labor market had improved, but core inflation has been controlled and said longer-term inflation remains well-contain..
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| Monday, August 08, 2005 |
| | 172. | Strong Jobs Report Puts Upward Pressure on Mortgages
The addition of 207,000 jobs to non-farm payrolls in July wreaked havoc on the financial markets on Friday, with sell-offs hitting U.S. Treasury securities and Wall Street as well. The surge in jobs raised concerns about inflation and the possibilitThe July employment report was not only stronger than consensus forecasts for an increase of 183,000, but the number of new jobs in June was revised upward by 20,000. Another worrisome component to the report showed hourly wages rising 0.4 percent to..
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| Friday, August 05, 2005 |
| | 173. | Pre-Jobs Report Jitters Keep Upward Pressure on Mortgage Rates
With little in the way of economic news to guide and the specter of Friday's July Employment report looming large, U.S. Treasury securities traders found no motive to buy on Thursday and only a few reasons to sell. First-time jobless claims edgedStrong recent economic reports from a number of sectors have erased hope that the Fed will pause its rate-hike program anytime soon. This outlook has provoked aggressive selling of Treasuries, sending prices down and yields, which move in the opposit..
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| Thursday, August 04, 2005 |
| | 174. | Treasury Rally Pushes Mortgage Rates Back Down
After spiking on Tuesday, mortgage rates edged back down on Wednesday. Rates had ticked up for three straight sessions due to aggressive selling of U.S. Treasury securities spurred by a steady stream of positive economic news. Selling of Treasuries sThe only economic report, the ISM index on the service sector in July, fell to 60.5 from a 62.2 reading in June, bolstering Treasuries. The index was also shy of the 61.5 predicted by analysts. New orders rose only slightly in July, but the number th..
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| Wednesday, August 03, 2005 |
| | 175. | Mortgage Rates Racing Up
Further indications of solid economic growth fostered another round of selling of U.S. Treasury securities Tuesday. A strong reading on Factory Orders for June and vigorous Personal Spending, supported by hefty auto sales, concerned bond traders whoSelling in Treasuries was strong on opening, but then reversed course, only to regain momentum toward the end of the session. Treasury prices closed down and their yields, which move in the opposite direction of prices, continued to climb. This recen..
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| Tuesday, August 02, 2005 |
| | 176. | Mortgage Rates Continue to Edge Up
Another strong report on manufacturing conditions on Monday raised concerns about inflation and spurred yet another sell-off in U.S. Treasury securities. Recent reports verifying that the economy is seeing solid growth have raised the specter of inflThe Institute of Supply Management (ISM) report on manufacturing conditions in July came in at 56.6, beating forecasts for a 54.5 reading, and topping June's 53.8. Any number above 50 indicates expansion in the sector. This was the highest ISM r..
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| Monday, August 01, 2005 |
| | 177. | Mortgage Rates Weather Bond Sell-Off
U.S. Treasury securities gave back yesterday's gains on Friday and then some thanks to two reports that worried traders. The advance second-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the broadest measure of the nation's economy, grew by a tame 3.The real shocker, however, was the Chicago Purchasing Managers index of business conditions, which blew the lid off forecasts, coming in at 63.5 - almost 10 points above the June reading of 53.6 and well above the expected 55.5. The PMI index also r..
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| Friday, July 29, 2005 |
| | 178. | Mortgage Rates Holding at Higher Levels
Bond traders resumed buying of U.S. Treasury securities on Thursday, with some finding the higher yields (and lower prices) difficult to resist, while others were squaring their end-of-month positions. A smaller group may be anticipating a weaker-thaGood Earnings, Strong Economic News Boost Equities, ..
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| Thursday, July 28, 2005 |
| | 179. | Mortgage, Treasury Rates Edge Upward
Signs the U.S. economy remains firmly on track while inflation continues to stay under control pushed Treasury prices lower on Wednesday and yields, which move opposite of prices, headed slightly higher again. The move in key Treasury yields meant leNews of robust durable good orders, record-high new home sales and some better-than-expected corporate earnings among Blue Chip stocks also underpinned key stock indexes on Wednesday, although weakness in high-tech issues sucked strength from that se..
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| Wednesday, July 27, 2005 |
| | 180. | Mortgage Rates Holding at Higher Levels
Traders in U.S. Treasury securities accepted the fact that China's revaluation of the yuan last week will have limited impact on that country's buying of government debt. With this worry out of the way, Treasuries attracted light buying on TDuPont, Confidence Weigh on Dow, ..
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| Tuesday, July 26, 2005 |
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