Sunday, June 09, 2019

Fed Chair Powell Sings Guns N Roses







"All we need is just a little patience"...Patience by Guns N' Roses

The highlight of this past week was the Fed Minutes from the January Fed Meeting. The Minutes are a detailed record of the Fed's monetary policy setting meeting, so the markets gain insight into the psyche of the Fed as it relates to interest rates, the economy and more.

What the markets heard loud and clear from the meeting Minutes was PATIENCE -- meaning, the Fed is in no rush to hike interest rates and they will watch the incoming economic data to determine when they might hike again. There is now a low probability for another hike in 2019.

What are the most important reports the Fed is watching which can influence rates?
  • Gross Domestic Product
  • Inflation (big report next week -- more on that below)
  • Jobs Report
  • Consumer Confidence
  • Retail Sales
In response to the Minutes, mortgage bond prices and thus home loan rates are hovering near the best levels in a year.


If you or someone you know has questions about home loans, give me a call. I'd be happy to help.


Forecast for the Week


This coming week has a number of risk-filled events for the markets to digest.

Economic data for the week is chockful of reports that will cover a broad spectrum of the U.S. economy with the highlight being the Fed's favorite inflation gauge, the annual Core PCE, currently at 1.9 percent. Remember, the Fed's goal is for 2 percent inflation year over year.

The Bond markets will have to deal with a whopping total of $113 billion in added supply from the Treasury in 2, 5 and 7-year T Notes being sold. This huge amount of new debt can put downward pressure on prices and upward pressure on rates.

The main event for next week will be Fed Chair Powell's first semi-annual monetary policy report in front of the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday and in front of the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday. Chairman Powell's monetary policy position has been dovish since early January, thereby helping Stocks move higher -- we shall see if he maintains the same stance and outlook.

Reports to watch:
  • Housing data will come from Tuesday's S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index and New Home Sales followed by Wednesday's Pending Home sales.
  • Consumer Confidence will be released on Tuesday with Consumer Sentiment on Friday.
  • Manufacturing data will be delivered with Thursday's Chicago PMI and the ISM Index on Friday.
  • As usual, Weekly Initial Jobless Claims will be announced on Thursday.
  • The first reading on fourth quarter 2018 Gross Domestic Product will be released on Thursday.
  • That brings us to Friday's Core PCE data, along with Personal Spending and Incomes.



Chart: Fannie Mae 4.0% Mortgage Bond (Friday, February 22, 2019)

Japanese Candlestick Chart



The Mortgage Market Guide View...


Tip: How does human interaction strategy help in your online marketing?

Online marketing and e-commerce are now the order of the day. In fact, 96 percent of Americans shop online. So is there any value in complimenting your online marketing strategy with a human interaction strategy?

Author Yuval Harari explains in his book, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind," that pro-social and community behavior are hot-wired human traits. As humans, we have relied on in-person experiences throughout history to progress and build societies. One of the biggest drivers of a sharing economy is community building.

Human interaction plays a powerful role. An in-person meeting puts a face behind the brand and builds a foundation. Just shaking hands enhances a business relationship. This personal connection helps to build credibility and trust, resulting in a positive retention impact.

Your connection improves when you reach out in person. When you meet a person, you are able to learn much more about him or her than what you learn from online interactions. Face-to-face conversations are rarely only one-sided, and this interaction with customers is very valuable for future marketing decisions.

Strong partnerships are built with human interaction. By attending industry events, you can stay current and build a network that can be helpful for future business. Talking to contemporaries and the competition is advantageous. This in-person interaction lets you establish a human touch point with like-minded people. Take notes on all interaction, and then keep in contact with new connections by email, social media, or direct mail.

Implementing a human interaction strategy can certainly be an effective supplement to your online presence.

Sources: Iamagazine, Skyword


Economic Calendar for the Week of February 25 - March 1
Date
ET
Economic Report
For
Estimate
Actual
Prior
Impact
Tue. February 26
09:00
S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index
Dec
NA
4.7%
Moderate
Tue. February 26
10:00
Consumer Confidence
Feb
NA
120.2
Moderate
Tue. February 26
10:00
New Home Sales
Jan
NA
657K
Moderate
Wed. February 27
10:00
Pending Home Sales
Jan
NA
-2.2%
Moderate
Wed. February 27
08:30
Durable Goods Orders
Jan
NA
102.1
Moderate
Thu. February 28
08:30
Chicago PMI
Feb
NA
56.7
Moderate
Thu. February 28
01:00
ADP National Employment Report
Low
Thu. February 28
08:30
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Q4
NA
3.4%
HIGH
Thu. February 28
08:30
GDP Chain Deflator
Q4
NA
NA
HIGH
Fri. March 1
10:00
Consumer Sentiment Index (UoM)
Feb
NA
95.5
Moderate
Fri. March 1
08:30
Personal Consumption Expenditures and Core PCE
Dec
NA
0.1%
HIGH
Fri. March 1
08:30
Personal Consumption Expenditures and Core PCE
YOY
NA
1.9%
HIGH
Fri. March 1
08:30
Personal Income
Dec
NA
0.2%
Moderate
Fri. March 1
10:00
ISM Index
Feb
NA
56.6
HIGH
Fri. March 1
08:30
Personal Spending
Dec
NA
0.4%
Moderate


The material contained in this newsletter has been prepared by an independent third-party provider. The content is provided for use by real estate, financial services and other professionals only and is not intended for consumer distribution. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee it is without errors.


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