| Actual | Previous | |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Index - W/W | -2.9% | 2.3% |
| Purchase Index - W/W | -2.1% | 2.0% |
| Refinance Index - W/W | -4.7% | 2.5% |
Highlights
The MBA mortgage applications index is down 2.9 percent in the September 1 week. It is down 5.6 percent from four weeks ago, and down 28.9 percent from a year earlier. MBA Deputy Chief Economist Joel Kan said,"Mortgage applications declined to the lowest level since December 1996, despite a drop in mortgage rates. Both purchase and refinance applications fell, with the purchase index hitting a 28-year low, as prospective buyers remain on the sidelines due to low housing inventory and elevated mortgage rates."
The purchase index is down 2.1 percent from the prior week, down 5.3 percent from four weeks earlier, and down 28.2 percent from a year ago. The refinance index is 4.7 percent lower week-over-week, down 6.7 percent from four weeks ago, and down 30.2 percent from the same time last year. Refinancing accounted for 30.0 percent of total applications in the week compared to 30.1 percent in the prior week.
The September 1 index for fixed rate mortgages is down 2.1 percent from one week ago, down 5.4 percent from four weeks earlier, and is 27.5 percent lower than a year ago. The index for adjustable-rate mortgages is off 12.9 percent week-over-week, down 8.2 percent from four weeks ago, and down 43.9 percent from a year ago. Adjustable-rate mortgages account for 6.7 percent of total applications in the September 1 week, down from 7.5 percent in the prior week.
The contract rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is down 10 basis points to 7.21 percent in the September 1 week, up 12 basis points from four weeks ago, and up 127 basis points from a year earlier. In the prior week, the rate of 7.31 percent was the highest since December 2000. The rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 6.33 percent, down 15 basis points from the prior week, down 3 basis points from four weeks earlier, and up 152 basis points from the year-ago week.
The purchase index is down 2.1 percent from the prior week, down 5.3 percent from four weeks earlier, and down 28.2 percent from a year ago. The refinance index is 4.7 percent lower week-over-week, down 6.7 percent from four weeks ago, and down 30.2 percent from the same time last year. Refinancing accounted for 30.0 percent of total applications in the week compared to 30.1 percent in the prior week.
The September 1 index for fixed rate mortgages is down 2.1 percent from one week ago, down 5.4 percent from four weeks earlier, and is 27.5 percent lower than a year ago. The index for adjustable-rate mortgages is off 12.9 percent week-over-week, down 8.2 percent from four weeks ago, and down 43.9 percent from a year ago. Adjustable-rate mortgages account for 6.7 percent of total applications in the September 1 week, down from 7.5 percent in the prior week.
The contract rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is down 10 basis points to 7.21 percent in the September 1 week, up 12 basis points from four weeks ago, and up 127 basis points from a year earlier. In the prior week, the rate of 7.31 percent was the highest since December 2000. The rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 6.33 percent, down 15 basis points from the prior week, down 3 basis points from four weeks earlier, and up 152 basis points from the year-ago week.
Definition
The Mortgage Bankers' Association compiles various mortgage loan indexes. The purchase applications index measures applications at mortgage lenders. This is a leading indicator for single-family home sales and housing construction.
Description
This provides a gauge of not only the demand for housing, but economic momentum. People have to be feeling pretty comfortable and confident in their own financial position to buy a house. Furthermore, this narrow piece of data has a powerful multiplier effect through the economy, and therefore across the markets and your investments. By tracking economic data such as the Mortgage Bankers Association purchase applications, investors can gain specific investment ideas as well as broad guidance for managing a portfolio.
Each time the construction of a new home begins, it translates to more construction jobs, and income which will be pumped back into the economy. Once a home is sold, it generates revenues for the home builder and the realtor. It brings a myriad of consumption opportunities for the buyer. Refrigerators, washers, dryers and furniture are just a few items new home buyers might purchase. The economic"ripple effect" can be substantial especially when you think a hundred thousand new households around the country are doing this every month.
Since the economic backdrop is the most pervasive influence on financial markets, housing construction has a direct bearing on stocks, bonds and commodities. In a more specific sense, trends in the MBA purchase applications index carry valuable clues for the stocks of home builders, mortgage lenders and home furnishings companies.
Each time the construction of a new home begins, it translates to more construction jobs, and income which will be pumped back into the economy. Once a home is sold, it generates revenues for the home builder and the realtor. It brings a myriad of consumption opportunities for the buyer. Refrigerators, washers, dryers and furniture are just a few items new home buyers might purchase. The economic"ripple effect" can be substantial especially when you think a hundred thousand new households around the country are doing this every month.
Since the economic backdrop is the most pervasive influence on financial markets, housing construction has a direct bearing on stocks, bonds and commodities. In a more specific sense, trends in the MBA purchase applications index carry valuable clues for the stocks of home builders, mortgage lenders and home furnishings companies.
