July 18th, 2014 1:06 PM by Jonathan White
Mortgage Time
Mortgage Market News for the week ending July 18, 2014
Compliments of
Jonathan White
President and CEO Mortgage Broker | NMLS ID: 3443
Blue Door Mortgage, LLC
Co. NMLS MB2218
Call: 781.235.2583 (BLUE)
jwhiteloan@bluedoormortgage.com www.bluedoormortgage.com
20 Walnut Street
Suite 12
Wellesley, MA 02481
Conflict in Ukraine and Middle East
Geopolitical events were the primary influence on mortgage rates again this week, while the economic data had little impact. After a quiet weekend, investors were willing to take on a little more risk early in the week. Shocking news on two fronts caused an abrupt reversal on Thursday, however, and mortgage rates ended the week just slightly higher.
When a conflict breaks out which could affect global markets, investors generally respond with a "flight to safety". Uncertainty created by the threat of escalation causes investors to reduce the level of risk in their portfolios. This typically involves shifting from stocks to relatively safer assets such as gold and bonds, including mortgage-backed securities (MBS).
Heading into last weekend, investors were concerned about the possibility of an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Gaza, so they shifted to safer assets. When there was little change in the situation early this week, investors unwound these positions, pushing rates higher. Then on Thursday, Israel announced a ground offensive in Gaza and a Malaysian passenger plane was shot down in Ukraine. These events caused investors to quickly return to safer assets, offsetting much of the earlier rise in rates.
In the US, there was mixed news from the housing sector. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index revealed that builder confidence jumped sharply in July to the highest level since January. Less positive, the Housing Starts data released this week, which covers the month of June, showed a decline of 9% from May. This data can be quite volatile from month to month, though.
Next week, the focus will remain on the Middle East and Ukraine. Increased tensions in either region likely would cause a larger flight to safety. In the US, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most closely watched monthly inflation report, will come out on Tuesday. CPI looks at the price change for finished goods which are sold to consumers. Existing Home Sales also will come out on Tuesday. New Home Sales will be released on Thursday. Durable Orders, an important indicator of economic growth, will come out on Friday.
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