Tag Archives: interest rates

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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Construction Boosted By Public Works, Offices

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner We are already seeing the results of the $1.1T budget agreement, and $305 STIRR Surface Transportation and Highway Trust Fund bill. Construction spending rose a strong 1.5 percent in January due to a surge in highway & … Continue reading →

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2016 Housing Update

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner What should happen to U.S. housing in 2016, with interest rates at record lows and a healthy job market? Much will depend on population growth, and in particular the newest largest generation of all—the millennials, or Gen … Continue reading →

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Why Has It Taken So Long?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The latest Federal Reserve press releases—firstly, the minutes of last FOMC meeting, and also its reduced projections of expected inflation—tell us the Fed is still in austerity mode due to a fear of non-existent inflation. And it is … Continue reading →

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What Happens in 2016?

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Even with interest rates rising, we see 2.5 percent plus GDP growth in 2016, because of strong employment and consumer spending. An early sign of this this trend is the Conference Board’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators … Continue reading →

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Fed Rate Hike Could Hurt Employment

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fed Chair Janet Yellen all but confirmed the Fed was ready to raise interest rates in December. She laid out a case for raising interest rates in a speech on Wednesday at the Economic Club in Washington. “Ongoing … Continue reading →

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Oct. Pending and New-Home Sales Still Rising

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Both new and existing-home sales are still thriving, given that conforming fixed rates are still at almost historic lows, in spite of a looming Fed interest rate hike. Why? It’s mainly investors worried about worldwide growth that … Continue reading →

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Dr. Yellen—Don’t Raise Interest Rates Just Yet.

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased … Continue reading →

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Home Ownership Rate Increases, Thanks to Millennials

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner The Commerce Department just reported that homeownership rate rose to 63.7 percent in the third quarter, from 63.4 percent in the second quarter, reports the National Association of Realtors. That is still well below the high of … Continue reading →

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Construction, Retail Sales Higher

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner The strength of the economy right now is in the housing and construction sectors, again areas insulated from global factors, such as China’s slowdown. Construction spending, next to vehicle sales, is perhaps the week’s best surprise, rising … Continue reading →

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