A busy economic calendar and potential vote to drive mortgage rates

Happy Birthday to John Burr Williams who would have turned 117 years old today!

In case you’re not familiar with that name (see HERE) he wrote a book called The Theory of Investment Value in 1938 which is widely regarded as the foundation of “Fundamental Analysis”.  His theories are critical to evaluating investments in real estate (and other assets).

Mortgage rates are essentially sideways from last week which is good news given the fact that US stocks traded at all-time highs.

Following a relatively quiet economic holiday week the calendar is jam packed for the next few days.

Housing in the news

Earlier today new home sales were reported and were much stronger than expected (+6%).  The pace of new home sales is currently at the highest level in 10 years!

Tomorrow we’ll get the latest S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index and on Wednesday we’ll see pending home sales from the National Association of Realtors.

Inflation and the Fed

On Thursday the Personal Consumption Expenditure price index will be released which is the Fed’s favorite gauge of inflation.  Analysts do not expect a large uptick in inflation but if prices rose at a faster clip than is expected it would likely hurt home loan rates.

The Fed is widely expected to raise rates when they meet in a couple weeks.  Since the markets are already expecting this action that move will not impact mortgage rates (despite what the media coverage says).

Tax reform?

The big question is whether or not the Senate will vote on the tax overhaul bill.  Should legislation pass it is assumed that the stock market will benefit which would likely hurt mortgage rates.

From a technical perspective interest rates appear to be in a sideways pattern.  Unless it appears that tax legislation will be voted on and pass I will maintain a floating bias.

Current Outlook: cautiously floating