A modest dip in mortgage rates helps support new mortgage applications and boosts refinance activity. Homebuyers are paying close attention to even small declines in mortgage rates that can improve home affordability. While inventories of homes available for sale have increased, prices remain elevated. Those refinancing current mortgages are doing so while the rate is low enough to make it worthwhile to switch to a fixed rate mortgage from an adjustable rate or refinancing relatively new mortgages taken out at a higher rate. In some instances, homeowners may be refinancing from a fixed rate to an adjustable rate mortgage to reduce monthly payments, and in hope of refinancing again at a lower rate before the adjustable rate resets.

The MBA mortgage applications index is 3.1 percent higher in the August 1 week. It is 10.0 percent lower than four weeks ago and 17.8 percent higher than a year earlier. The purchase index is 1.5 percent higher in the current week and 12.7 percent lower than four weeks ago and 18.0 percent higher than a year earlier. The refinancing index is 5.2 percent higher and is 6.3 percent lower than four weeks ago and 17.5 percent higher than a year earlier. In the August 1 week, refinancing accounted for 41.5 percent of mortgage applications compared to 40.7 percent in the prior week.

The fixed-rate mortgage index is 3.0 percent higher in the August 1 week. It is 10.7 percent lower than four weeks ago and 15.1 percent higher than this week last year. The adjustable-rate mortgage index is 5.4 percent higher and is 1.0 percent lower than four weeks ago and 58.4 percent higher than a year ago.

The contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.77 percent in the current week. This is 6 basis points lower than the prior week, the same as four weeks ago, and 22 basis points higher than a year earlier. The contract rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 6.06 percent in the week. This is 16 basis points lower than the prior week, 5 basis points higher than four weeks ago, and 15 basis points higher than a year earlier. In the August 1 week, adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 8.5 percent of mortgage applications compared to 8.3 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.