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Brought to you by Darel Ansley |
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In December, the National Association of Home Builders confidence index hit its highest level since 1999. Builders are clearly more optimistic, as mortgage rates dropped while wages are now growing near the fastest pace in a decade. More evidence of builder confidence was seen in Housing Starts, 13.6% ahead of a year ago. The three-month average of single-family starts reached a post-recession high, along with total and single-family permits. Existing Home Sales rose 2.7% annually, but dipped 1.7% for November. The NAR chief economist noted, "inventory levels are low, but the economy is otherwise performing very well with more than 2 million job gains in the past year." |
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 NATIONAL
MARKET UPDATE |
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SENDS STOCKS TO RECORD HIGHS... Wall Streeters pushed the S&P 500 past the 3,200 milestone and the Dow and the Nasdaq into new record territory on encouraging economic data. The housing reports covered above were just the start. Industrial production scored its biggest monthly gain in two years. And personal goods consumption grew during 2019 at the fastest annualized pace in 15 years. The Q3 GDP-third estimate held at a decent 2.1% growth, while consumers upped their spending in November at the fastest rate in four months. Small wonder, as personal income is up 4.9%, but inflation only 1.6%, in the past year. The week ended with the Dow UP 1.2%, to 28,455; the S&P 500 UP 1.7%, to 3,221; and the Nasdaq UP 2.2%, to 8,925. Treasuries finished the week down, but other bonds held up despite surging stocks. The 30YR FNMA 4.0% bond ended UP .10, to $103.88. The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was unchanged in Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Remember , mortgage rates can be extremely volatile, so check with your mortgage professional for up-to-the-minute information. DID YOU KNOW?... Consumer debts relative to assets are the lowest since 1984. Thanks to a solid economy, people can pay their debts on time. Experian reports this has pushed credit scores to their highest level in eight years! |
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 REVIEW
OF LAST WEEK |
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NEW HOME SALES GROW... In a thin week of economic reports, it's expected that New Home Sales for November will post around a 735,000 unit annual rate. We wish you and yours all the best this holiday season! Tuesday, December 24, stock markets will close at 1 p.m. and the bond market at 2. All financial markets will be closed Wednesday, Christmas Day. NOTE: Weaker economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and higher loan rates. |
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 THIS
WEEK'S FORECAST |
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Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months... The Fed says rates should stay where they are for all of next year and the Fed Funds futures market agrees. Note: In the lower chart, a 4% probability of change is a 96% probability the rate will stay the same. Current Fed Funds Rate: 1.50%-1.75%
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 FEDERAL
RESERVE WATCH |
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Darel Ansley
Senior Real Estate Loan Officer NMLS# 500247 901 North Mission Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 Office: (509) 664-5324 Mobile: (509) 860-3301 Fax: (509) 664-5315 darel.ansley@peoplesbank-wa.com www.peoplesbank-wa.com/darel |
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This e-mail is an advertisement for Darel Ansley. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice, or a commitment to lend. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee of its accuracy. The material contained in this message is the property of Peoples Bank and cannot be reproduced for any use without prior written consent. This message is intended for business professionals only and is not intended for distribution to consumers or other third parties. The material does not represent the opinion of Peoples Bank. |
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