Category Archives: Weekly Financial News

Builder Confidence Holds, But Household Formation Still Weak

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes remained unchanged in April at a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). “Builders remain cautiously optimistic about construction growth … Continue reading →

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Record Mortgage Originations in 2015, In Spite of FHFA

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner In addition to very large Consumer credit borrowing that rose $17.2 billion in February (but excludes mortgage lending), the number of new first mortgages increased to a post-recession high in 2015, according to new data from credit … Continue reading →

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Record Low Rates Spur Consumer Debt, But Not Spending

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Consumer credit rose a very large $17.2 billion in February with January revised higher to $14.9 billion, says the Federal Reserve. Nonrevolving credit, which are gains for vehicle financing and student loans, rose $14.2 billion and revolving … Continue reading →

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Service Sector, Job Openings Show More Growth

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs More economic data this week make job and growth prospects for 2016 look even better. And this is on top of the very strong March employment report. The March ISM Non-manufacturing index (i.e., for the service sector) rose … Continue reading →

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U.S. Nearing Full Employment?

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Are we approaching full employment will be the debate raging within the Federal Reserve and beyond this year. That’s because, “Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at … Continue reading →

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Why Such Dismay At Fed Chair Yellen’s Dovish Remarks?

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Janet Yellen gave another speech yesterday, and stocks and bonds rallied. So you would think the pundits would applaud her speech. But, no, with approximately half of the Fed Governors saying they want higher interest rates now, many … Continue reading →

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U.S. Manufacturing’s Near Record Output

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Gross output of U.S. manufacturing industries — counting products produced for final use as well as those used as intermediate inputs — totaled $6.2 trillion in 2015, about 36 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, and nearly … Continue reading →

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Where Are The New Homes?

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 2 percent in February from an upwardly revised January reading to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 512,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing … Continue reading →

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Why Is the Fed Waiting For Inflation?

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The Federal Reserve should stick with a “wait-and-see monetary response” absent more evidence of sustainable inflation gripping the U.S. economy, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said Tuesday. That seems to be Fed Chairwoman Yellen’s response to current … Continue reading →

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Existing-Home Sales Fall, Inflation Too Tame

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner After increasing to the highest annual rate in six months, existing-home sales tumbled in February amidst very low supply levels and robust price growth in several sections of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors. … Continue reading →

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