Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch
Mortgage rates started the day modestly lower , but many lenders ended up offering mid-day improvements in response to market conditions. When it comes to rates, the bond market sets the tone. Bonds can move for a variety of reasons, but economic data is one of the quintessential inputs. If the incoming data suggests a hotter economy or higher inflation, rates tend to rise . The opposite is also true (weaker data = lower rates) as was the case today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index for the month of August today. This is one of the more widely-followed inflation reports. As such, rates improved when the report suggested inflation decelerated by more than expected. Rates didn’t drop too much, but they’re nonetheless back in line with their lower recent levels…(read more)
