Last Week's Mortgage Rate Recap: Rates improved 👍
Rates were helped last week after inflation data came in slightly better than expected. Fed Governor Waller added to the optimism in a CNBC interview, suggesting the Fed might implement more policy rate cuts than markets anticipated, and could start cutting sooner.
This Week's Mortgage Rate Forecast: Rates could move higher 👎
Although rates only saw modest improvement last week, we sidestepped trouble when the inflation data came in a bit more favorably than was expected. This week starts with a holiday, and has little economic data to help guide mortgage rate movement. After last week's improvements though, we could see rates creep a bit higher this week. Longer term outlook is for rates to remain near these levels.
What's affecting rates this week:
- Trump inauguration: Trump will be sworn in Monday, and is expected to hit the ground running. We could see some volatility in markets based on the immediate actions taken and executive orders that are implemented.
- The Fed: Markets had a strong reaction last week to comments made by Fed Governor Waller, but we will not be hearing from any Fed members this week as they enter the customary blackout period ahead of January 28th/29th's Fed meeting.