What\u2019s the bottom line? <\/em><\/strong>While annual inflation did move in the wrong direction, this notch higher is partly due to a lower figure from last August, which was removed from the rolling 12-month calculation and replaced with last month\u2019s 0.6% reading. Inflation has made significant progress lower after peaking at 9.1% last year. <\/pre>\n\n\n\n <\/pre>\n\n\n\nPlus, New York Fed President John Williams recently acknowledged that inflation would be even lower if decelerating shelter costs were better reflected in the reporting, with less of a lag effect.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n <\/pre>\n\n\n\nIs the Rise in Wholesale Inflation a Concern?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation on the wholesale level, increased by 0.7% in August, coming in hotter than expected. On an annual basis, PPI doubled from 0.8% to 1.6%. Core PPI, which also strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.2%, with the year-over-year reading dropping from 2.4% to 2.2%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the bottom line? <\/em><\/strong>While annual PPI also moved higher in the wrong direction, it was coming from a very low level and remains extremely muted, well below last year\u2019s 11.7% peak. Plus, much of the increase in wholesale inflation was also due to rising energy prices, like we saw with consumer inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRemember, the Fed has been hiking its benchmark Fed Funds Rate (which is the overnight borrowing rate for banks) to try to slow the economy and curb inflation. Their latest hike in July was the eleventh since March of last year, pushing the Fed Funds Rate to the highest level in 22 years. <\/pre>\n\n\n\n <\/pre>\n\n\n\nWill the progress we\u2019ve seen so far on inflation be enough for the Fed to pause further hikes? Recent comments from several Fed members suggest that\u2019s the case, including New York President John Williams (monetary policy is in \u201ca good place\u201d), Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan (skipping a hike this month \u201ccould be appropriate\u201d), and Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker (the Fed may be at a point to \u201chold rates steady\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll find out what the Fed decides for sure this Wednesday, after their two-day meeting concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New High in Home Price Appreciation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCoreLogic\u2019s Home Price Index showed that home prices nationwide rose for the six straight month, up 0.4% from June to July. Prices were also 2.5% higher when compared to July of last year. CoreLogic forecasts that home prices will rise 0.4% in August and 3.5% in the year going forward, though their forecasts tend to be on the conservative side historically. In fact, CoreLogic\u2019s index is on pace for just under 9% appreciation in 2023, based on the monthly gains we\u2019ve seen so far this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zillow also reported that home values have increased 4.5% since the beginning of this year, with their index showing new all-time highs in home values month after month since May. Zillow\u2019s index is on pace for 7% appreciation this year, based on the monthly gains we\u2019ve seen to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the bottom line?<\/em><\/strong> The latest rise in home prices reported by CoreLogic and Zillow echoes the strong growth seen by Case-Shiller, Black Knight and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These reports continue to demonstrate why homeownership remains a good investment and opportunity for building wealth through real estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant Context Regarding Tame Jobless Claims<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nInitial Jobless Claims rose by 3,000 in the latest week, with 220,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. Continuing Claims also increased by 4,000, with 1.688 million people still receiving benefits after filing their initial claim. This latter number has been trending lower since topping 1.861 million in early April, reflecting a mix of people finding new jobs and benefits expiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the bottom line? <\/em><\/strong>While the tame level of Initial Jobless Claims suggests a strong labor market, the measured week included the Labor Day holiday, so the shortened filing time may have impacted the data. Plus, Initial Jobless Claims are usually the last data point to reflect a slowdown in the job market. Typically, we first see a slowdown in job postings, hirings, and a reduction in hours before<\/em> layoffs occur. These first three trends have been seen in recent reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt will be important to see if a sustained rise in Initial Jobless Claims follows in the coming months, especially with the Fed looking for clear signs that the labor market is softening as they consider further rate hikes this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family Hack of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis Thursday, September 21 is National Pecan Cookie Day, which is the perfect excuse for making this delicious Butter Pecan Cookie recipe courtesy of Taste of Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Add 1 3\/4 cups chopped pecans and 1 tablespoon butter to a baking pan. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until pecans are toasted and browned, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a large bowl, cream 1 cup packed brown sugar and 1 cup softened butter until light and fluffy, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Beat in 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Add 2 cups self-rising flour and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll balls in the toasted pecans. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Top each cookie with a pecan half. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to Look for This Week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nImportant housing reports are ahead, starting Monday with an update on home builder sentiment for this month from the National Association of Home Builders. August\u2019s Housing Starts and Building Permits will be reported on Tuesday, while Existing Home Sales follow on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also on Thursday, look for the latest Jobless Claims and September\u2019s manufacturing data for the Philadelphia region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the Fed will likely steal the show as their two-day meeting begins Tuesday, with their Monetary Policy Statement, rate decision and press conference coming on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technical Picture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMortgage Bonds broke beneath support at their 25-day Moving Average, ending last week testing the next floor at 98.086. The 10-year broke above the ceiling of resistance at 4.29%, with the next ceiling at 4.36%<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Week of September 11, 2023 in Review What \u201cFueled\u201d the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2584,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Market Insights - Week of 9\/18\/2023 - C2 Financial | SMPL Mortgage | Mortgage Lenders | Pasadena<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n