Fed Holds Rates Steady, Gas Prices Drive Inflation
Week of April 27, 2026 in Review The Fed left rates unchanged, while inflation climbed on higher gas prices. National home values rose for a seventh straight month, and new construction showed mixed signals. Here are the key takeaways. Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Growing Policy Debate As expected, the Federal Reserve left its benchmark […]
Pending Home Sales Rise, Retail Sales Surprise
Week of April 20, 2026 in Review Pending home sales ticked up in March, retail sales beat expectations, and jobless claims highlight continued shifts in how people work. Here are the key takeaways. Pending Home Sales See Modest March Uptick Pending home sales, which reflect signed contracts on existing homes, rose 1.5% from February to […]
Energy Prices Push Inflation Higher
Week of April 6, 2026 in Review March inflation moved higher, driven largely by energy price spikes. Plus, updated home price forecasts highlight how homeownership can build wealth. Here are the key takeaways. Inflation Jumps on Higher Energy Costs The latest inflation data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed prices picked up in March, […]
Cooling Hiring Trends Come Into Focus
Week of March 23, 2026 in Review A quieter week for economic data, with markets largely driven by uncertainty around the conflict in Iran and swings in oil prices. Meanwhile, the latest labor market reports provided some important signals on hiring trends. Here are the key takeaways. ADP Signals Sluggish Job Growth ADP’s weekly employment […]
Fed Pauses Again, Housing Hits Weather Snag
Week of March 16, 2026 in Review For the second meeting in a row, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, as expected. In housing, recent weather slowed home purchase activity in parts of the country, while wholesale inflation came in higher than anticipated. Here are the key takeaways. Fed Hits Pause Again, but Not […]
Signs the Labor Market Is Losing Steam
Week of March 2, 2026 in Review The labor market is showing signs of slowing, while home price forecasts nationwide remain strong. Here are the key takeaways. February Jobs Report Falls Well Short of Expectations February job growth came in well below estimates according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The […]
Delayed Housing, Inflation and GDP Data Released
The government has released delayed reports on home construction, home sales, GDP, and the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, PCE, following last fall’s shutdown. Here’s a look at the key highlights. · PCE Inflation Higher Than Expected · Weather Slows Home Contract Activity · Housing Construction Picks Up, But Builders Remain Cautious · Quick Take: GDP and Unemployment PCE Inflation […]
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your First Mortgage: What Nobody Tells You
