Last Week's Mortgage Rate Recap: Rates unchanged 👍
Mortgage rates were basically unchanged last week, as mortgage rates continued to reflect markets' belief that not only is the Fed done hiking rates, but will start cutting rates in March. Friday's PCE inflation report came in even lower than expected, supporting the idea that the Fed will be able to reduce rates as inflation cools.
This Week's Mortgage Rate Forecast: Rates should be unchanged 👍
Traders generally take off the last couple of weeks of the year around the holidays, and mortgage rates tend to hold steady during that time. There is little risk of seeing rates move higher from here this week, although it is also unlikely we see any kind of significant improvement.
What's affecting rates this week:
- Economic data: There is no important economic data this week, and nothing that should pressure rates to move from here. Markets were closed on Monday for Christmas, and will be closed early Friday and closed on day on Monday for New Years.
- The Fed: Mortgage rates will hold these lower levels for as long as markets believe rate cuts will start as soon as March. If that belief reverses we could see rates creep higher, but that is not going to happen this week.