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Market Update: June 21, 2018

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Mortgage Rundown.

Today we are going to talk about what’s happening in the capital markets.

Last week was another FOMC meeting where they raised the Fed Funds rate to the range of 1.75 to 2.0%, in what was a widely anticipated move.  The attention now shifts to the meeting in September with the market pricing in an 81% chance of the Fed moving rates for a third time this year.  Also, there is now a 50% chance the Fed will raise rates a fourth time in December.

Turning to the Treasury market, the 10-year is holding below 3% and is currently trading at 2.92%.  The constant public sparring over tariffs has the market somewhat concerned about the possibility of a slowdown, which is keeping mortgage rates lower.  One major item to watch closely is the spread between the 2-year and 10-year Treasury, often referred to as the shape of the yield curve.  It’s running dangerously low at 0.35%.  That’s the lowest it’s been since 2007, right when the Fed started its campaign of lowering interest rates to stimulate the economy.

On the inflation front, CPI is running around 2.2% year-over-year and PCE is still below 2.0%, currently at 1.80%.  The graph on your screen shows both of those indices over time and you will notice that PCE is still below 2%.

Speaking of indices, the S&P Case Shiller home price index recently came out and showed that home prices continue to climb.  The graph on your screen shows the trend of home prices over the past 10 years in 20 major metropolitan areas. 

Home prices are now up 55% nationally since February of 2012.

In the coming weeks you should keep an eye on the following items:

• First and foremost are the stock market and the trade disputes. Will the economy keep roaring ahead and leave the door open for the FOMC to continue to raise rates?
• Also, the shape of the yield curve; will the 2-year rise above the yield on the 10-year, which has been a great prognosticator of recessions.