“With the economy still looking strong, it increases the likelihood — but does not ensure — that the Fed could keep increasing rates,” Cohn said. “We’ll have to keep an eye out for the next round of CPI [Consumer Price Index] and jobs numbers, but for those looking for signs that the Fed would need to chill on its rate hikes, this week didn’t provide them.”
Some wonder what impact interest rates have on mortgage rates. It’s complicated, and it’s indirect. As explained by Bankrate, the Fed’s latest 25% hike pushed the federal funds rates above 5% for the first time since 2007. “While the Fed does not set mortgage rates and the central bank’s decisions don’t drive mortgage rates as directly as they do other products, (like savings accounts and CD rates), key players in the mortgage industry keep a close eye on the Fed’s moves. The mortgage market’s attempts to interpret the Fed’s actions affect how much you pay for your home loan.”
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, both the unemployment rate at 3.4% and the number of unemployed persons, at 5.7 million, changed little in April. The unemployment rate has ranged from 3.4% since March 2022 – the same time the Fed started its rate-hiking inflation.
The jobs report contained more grim news hitting home for the mortgage industry – unless one views the findings as illustrative of potential market gains amid shrinking competition. According to the report, non-bank mortgage employment declined by more than 3,000 jobs.
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