| Actual | Previous | |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Index - W/W | 0.6% | -1.9% |
| Purchase Index - W/W | 5.8% | -0.6% |
| Refinance Index - W/W | -3.4% | -2.8% |
Highlights
In the November 7 week, the pace of mortgage applications sped up as applications for new mortgages gained despite an uptick in rates. The recent wave of mortgage refinancing is retreating as demand has been satisfied for now. Mortgage rates remain low enough to attract homebuyers while the supply of homes on the market has increased and prices moderated.
The MBA mortgage applications index is 0.6 percent higher in the November 7 week. It is 5.4 percent higher than four weeks ago and 73.7 percent higher than a year earlier. The purchase index is 5.8 percent higher in the current week and 4.0 percent higher than four weeks ago and 29.6 percent higher than a year earlier. The refinancing index is 3.4 percent lower and is 6.8 percent higher than four weeks ago and 146.5 percent higher than a year earlier. In the November 7 week, refinancing accounted for 55.6 percent of mortgage applications compared to 57.0 percent in the prior week.
The fixed-rate mortgage index is 1.6 percent higher in the November 7 week. It is 7.1 percent higher than four weeks ago and 71.4 percent higher than this week last year. The adjustable-rate mortgage index is 10.6 percent lower and is 12.0 percent lower than four weeks ago and 107.2 percent higher than a year ago.
The contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.34 percent in the current week. This is 3 basis points higher than the prior week, 8 basis points lower than four weeks ago, and 52 basis points lower than a year earlier. The contract rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 5.50 percent in the week. This is 6 basis points lower than the prior week, 13 basis points lower than four weeks ago, and 56 basis points lower than a year earlier. In the November 7 week, adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 7.8 percent of mortgage applications compared to 8.7 percent in the prior week.
The MBA mortgage applications index is 0.6 percent higher in the November 7 week. It is 5.4 percent higher than four weeks ago and 73.7 percent higher than a year earlier. The purchase index is 5.8 percent higher in the current week and 4.0 percent higher than four weeks ago and 29.6 percent higher than a year earlier. The refinancing index is 3.4 percent lower and is 6.8 percent higher than four weeks ago and 146.5 percent higher than a year earlier. In the November 7 week, refinancing accounted for 55.6 percent of mortgage applications compared to 57.0 percent in the prior week.
The fixed-rate mortgage index is 1.6 percent higher in the November 7 week. It is 7.1 percent higher than four weeks ago and 71.4 percent higher than this week last year. The adjustable-rate mortgage index is 10.6 percent lower and is 12.0 percent lower than four weeks ago and 107.2 percent higher than a year ago.
The contract rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.34 percent in the current week. This is 3 basis points higher than the prior week, 8 basis points lower than four weeks ago, and 52 basis points lower than a year earlier. The contract rate for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage is 5.50 percent in the week. This is 6 basis points lower than the prior week, 13 basis points lower than four weeks ago, and 56 basis points lower than a year earlier. In the November 7 week, adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 7.8 percent of mortgage applications compared to 8.7 percent in the prior 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.
