The MBA mortgage applications index is 1.2 percent lower in the May 23 week. It is 5.4 percent higher than four weeks ago and 23.9 percent higher than a year earlier. The purchase index is 2.7 percent higher in the current week and 10.6 percent higher than four weeks ago and 17.1 percent higher than a year earlier. The refinancing index is 7.1 percent lower and is 2.3 percent lower than four weeks ago and 36.7 percent higher than a year earlier. In the May 23 week, refinancing accounted for 34.6 percent of mortgage applications compared to 36.6 percent in the prior week.

The increase in applications for new mortgages is probably driven by demand as the spring homebuying season gets off to a start in May. However, many homebuyers are opting for adjustable-rate mortgages in order to improve the affordability of payments. These borrowers are probably hoping for an opportunity to refinance later to a lower fixed rate. At present, mortgage rates are at their highest since January. Refinancing activity has weakened substantially now that the rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is close to 7 percent.

The fixed-rate mortgage index is 1.7 percent lower in the May 23 week. It is 5.2 percent higher than four weeks ago and 22.4 percent higher than this week last year. The adjustable-rate mortgage index is 5.3 percent higher and is 6.8 percent higher than four weeks ago and 44.7 percent higher than a year ago.

The contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.98 percent in the current week. This is 6 basis points higher than the prior week, 9 basis points higher than four weeks ago, and 7 basis points lower than a year earlier. The contract rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 6.22 percent in the week. This is 6 basis points higher than the prior week, 33 basis points higher than four weeks ago, and 42 basis points lower than a year earlier. In the May 23 week, adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 7.5 percent of mortgage applications compared to 7.1 percent in the prior week.

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.

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.