Inside Lending, Jason Gill
Market Update For the week of April 29, 2013
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE… Even though the housing recovery is well underway, there still is evidence that more hard work needs to be done. Last week began with March Existing Home Sales off 0.6%, dropping to an annual rate of 4.92 million units. In addition, the months’ supply of existing homes edged up to 4.7 from 4.6 in February. But even though existing home sales seem to have leveled off in the last few months, they’re actually UP 10.3% versus a year ago. It’s also encouraging to note that the median existing home price, at $184,300, is up 11.8% over last year.
To further inspire us, March New Home Sales came in Tuesday up 1.5%, to a better than expected 417,000 annual rate. New home sales are now up 18.5% over a year ago, and Q1 of 2013 was the best quarter for new home sales since Q3 of 2008! The months’ supply of new homes remained at 4.4, as the faster sales pace was offset by a rise in inventory of 3,000 units. The median price of new homes sold, at $247,000, is up 3.0% over a year ago. Finally, the FHFA index of prices for homes financed by conforming mortgages was up 0.7% in February and up 7.1% versus a year ago.
BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK… Don’t be afraid to take small risks. Just spend the time to test things out. And trust your gut. Often our gut instincts lead the way to the success we’ve been looking for.
Review of Last Week
UPBEAT AGAIN… Solid corporate earnings and positive economic reports were enough to offset some negative data and get Wall Street investors back into an upbeat mood. All three major stock market indexes ended ahead for the week. The feeling on Wall Street was that the economy may be growing slowly, but it still is growing. Coming in below expectations were Existing Home Sales and Durable Goods Orders for March, and the GDP Advanced estimate for Q1, which only managed a 2.5% annual growth rate.
On the good side, initial jobless claims were down by 16,000 to 339,000, and continuing claims dropped 93,000 to 3.00 million, causing some analysts to anticipate stronger job growth for April’s numbers arriving this Friday. Other good notes were struck by the March gain in new home sales and Michigan Consumer Sentiment for April coming in higher than expected. The biggest positive news? Over 80% of the Q1 corporate earnings reported so far have met or beaten estimates.
The week ended with the Dow up 1.1%, to 14713; the S&P 500 up 1.7%, to 1582; and the Nasdaq up 2.3%, to 3279.
Even though stocks moved higher, bonds also gained, thanks to the mixed economic data. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up .07, at $106.16. For the fourth straight week, national average mortgage rates slid, approaching near historical lows. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index of mortgage loan application volume was up 0.3% from the week before to its highest level since May 2010, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
DID YOU KNOW?… This week’s monthly Employment Report indicates both the strength of the economy, since companies hire when things are going well, and prospects for growth, since higher employment means more money available to be spent on goods and services.
This Week’s Forecast
… Before it meets Wednesday, the Fed will see its favorite inflation measure, Core PCE Prices, which are expected to remain within central bank guidelines. March Pending Home Sales are predicted to show existing home sales continuing to recover a few months out. No one expects a rate hike at Wednesday’s FOMC Meeting, but the policy statement will be read carefully.
The week’s two manufacturing readings, the Chicago PMI for the Midwest and the national ISM Index, are forecast above 50, indicating mild growth in that sector. But the big focus will be the monthly Employment Report come Friday. A gain of 150,000 Nonfarm Payrolls is expected for March, but the Unemployment Rate should remain at 7.6%
For more information and questions contact Jason Gill, Prime Lending NMLS330929,
(858) 401-3332, jgill@primelending.com
