I’m not going to discuss my personal life here, because there’s too much to say, and some things I’d like to keep personal, so I’m just going to talk about my online activity.
2008 was an interesting blogging year for me. I’ve been blogging since 2002/2003, but in the past all my blog entries were about [...]
This post could fill a book - but I am way too tired for that, and I doubt you would have the time or the desire to read it. So here are what I consider the highs and lows of Qatar 2008.Cable CutsIronically, Qatar starts and ends the year struggling with slow internet due to cable cuts. Qtel seems to have learnt its lesson well as the internet speed is certainly a lot better than when we posted ab
Please click on the link to read article. I know this is an inconvience but it really does help me keep this site online. Thank you for your underatanding.
Can you believe that 2008 is almost over already? I suddenly realized today that we have exactly two weeks to go and that got me to thinking about how my reading might change in 2009, what I've read this year, what I've missed, and what I wish I had done differently.
It's looking like I'll read something in the neighborhood of 140 books this year, down a little bit from last year's almost 160,
Government action fueled a mortgage market rally last week, leading mortgage rates lower for the second consecutive week.
Despite soft housing numbers and evidence of a slowing economy, mortgage rate shoppers found reason to celebrate:
Citigroup was "rescued"
Wall Street liked the new economic team
The government pledged $600 billion to buy investment-grade mortgage bonds
These 3 elements helpe
Thanksgiving Week began for me on Monday when the sun came out after several days of rainy weather. Recovering from a cold and a sore knee, the result of wearing the wrong pair of glasses, misunderstanding the distance from the street to the sidewalk, and then falling down, I wandered, well, hobbled, northwest on Bleecker Street and, later, the same direction on 4th Street. After the rainy weather
As the stock market retraced to its 1997 level, mortgage markets improved last week -- but not by much.
Mortgage rates closed out the week slightly lower, but the week wasn't without fireworks.
Calls of deflation grew louder
The automakers left Washington without a bailout
Citigroup's stock price fell to the equivalent of its ATM fee
Separately, each of these elements would have created confu
Chargers running back Darren Sproles created some good memories against the Colts last year, but thats old news as his club prepares to host Indianapolis Sunday.
In another week of up-and-down trading, mortgage rates ended the week slightly higher last week.
Ping-pong action like this has defined mortgage markets lately. It's increasingly common for rates to soar one day, and then come crashing down the next.
In response to market volatility, mortgage lenders issued as many as 8 distinct rate sheets in a holiday-shortened, 4-day trading week. Lately,
In another week of up-and-down trading, mortgage rates ended the week slightly higher last week.
Ping-pong action like this has defined mortgage markets lately. It's increasingly common for rates to soar one day, and then come crashing down the next.
In response to market volatility, mortgage lenders issued as many as 8 distinct rate sheets in a holiday-shortened, 4-day trading week. Lately,
The last week has been pretty eventfull. I woke up today thinking, of the progress ive been making.I remember on my first few posts, i talked about freezing when id walk up to a girl or group of them.
Mortgage rates fell last week, marking just the second time since September that rates improved on a weekly basis.
The biggest news of the week was the U.S. Presidential Election. Markets appeared to cheer the Republican-to-Democrat transfer of power, posting large gains Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
This in spite of a spate of negative economic news:
Auto makers are bleeding cash
Jobless cl
Mortgage rates fell last week, marking just the second time since September that rates improved on a weekly basis.
The biggest news of the week was the U.S. Presidential Election. Markets appeared to cheer the Republican-to-Democrat transfer of power, posting large gains Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
This in spite of a spate of negative economic news:
Auto makers are bleeding cash
Jobless cl
Most people would say it's so...Tina Fey doing her 'Palin' was certainly NOT a good thing for the Republicans.It felt icky to me for a woman such as Governor Palin to be mocked in the media.As a compassionate being, I feel badly when I see another put-down, even if in a humorous way.This is why I would prefer ANY another other occupation than politics--it's too hurtful, rejecting, humiliating, and
As global credit markets deteriorated in October, mortgage markets displayed an unnerving amount of volatility.
Last week was no different.
But, unlike in previous weeks in which rates improved on some days and worsened on others, mortgage rates were mostly higher last week, finishing the month on a surge.
The biggest reason why mortgage rates rose last week is that hedge funds and other invest
As global credit markets deteriorated in October, mortgage markets displayed an unnerving amount of volatility.
Last week was no different.
But, unlike in previous weeks in which rates improved on some days and worsened on others, mortgage rates were mostly higher last week, finishing the month on a surge.
The biggest reason why mortgage rates rose last week is that hedge funds and other invest
Mortgage markets followed the recurring trading pattern of 2008 last week -- volatility, volatility, and more volatility.
After opening with a strong performance that drove rates down, late-week fears of a global recession reversed that path. Mortgage rates ended the week unchanged.
This was an unexpected outcome for the week considering that:
The dollar gained 5%, making bonds "worth more"
Oil
Mortgage markets followed the recurring trading pattern of 2008 last week -- volatility, volatility, and more volatility.
After opening with a strong performance that drove rates down, late-week fears of a global recession reversed that path. Mortgage rates ended the week unchanged.
This was an unexpected outcome for the week considering that:
The dollar gained 5%, making bonds "worth more"
Oil
Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded both its largest one-day point gain and second-largest one-day point loss in history.
Mortgage markets got whipsawed, too.
From day to day, huge rate swings made mortgage rate shopping difficult. It wasn't uncommon for lenders to change pricing 3 times per day.
When the week closed, though, rates were lower than at Market Open Monday, marking
Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded both its largest one-day point gain and second-largest one-day point loss in history.
Mortgage markets got whipsawed, too.
From day to day, huge rate swings made mortgage rate shopping difficult. It wasn't uncommon for lenders to change pricing 3 times per day.
When the week closed, though, rates were lower than at Market Open Monday, marking
It's unbelievable. This afternoon, I pulled out our first digital camera, an Olympus from the drawer, powered up the re-chargeable batteries and passed it to Clayton. Before that, I managed to download some old family photos taken in our first New Zealand trip in 2005. I recalled celebrating Clayton's first birthday in Mount Maunganui, 2005.Tomorrow, Clayton turns four. I was looking through his p
Throughout the feverish activity on Wall Street last week, mortgage bonds sold off with force, driving mortgage rates to their highest levels since July.
It was the fourth straight week in which mortgage rates worsened.
But, with the mortgage markets closed Monday, stock markets rallied to their largest one-day gain in history.
The Dow Jones' gains are expected to push mortgage rates down Tuesday,
Throughout the feverish activity on Wall Street last week, mortgage bonds sold off with force, driving mortgage rates to their highest levels since July.
It was the fourth straight week in which mortgage rates worsened.
But, with the mortgage markets closed Monday, stock markets rallied to their largest one-day gain in history.
The Dow Jones' gains are expected to push mortgage rates down Tuesday,
Well, I managed to survive another Great American Beer Festival. This one was my fifth going back to 1993. I know this because on my beer festival t-shirt collection, which tends to be a pretty accurate metric for most of my beer tourism.There were plenty of interesting things to take away from the 27th GABF besides just t-shirts. Here are some not so random thoughts still fresh in my mind from th
Congress approved the $700 billion "Bailout Bill" Friday, answering the question that dogged mortgage markets all week long:
Will they or won't they pass it?
The uncertainty prior to the vote created huge market swings that ultimately sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst week since the 2001 terrorist attacks, while causing similar damage in the mortgage markets.
Mortgage rates worse
Congress approved the $700 billion "Bailout Bill" Friday, answering the question that dogged mortgage markets all week long:
Will they or won't they pass it?
The uncertainty prior to the vote created huge market swings that ultimately sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst week since the 2001 terrorist attacks, while causing similar damage in the mortgage markets.
Mortgage rates worse
Mortgage rates bounced around last week, ending up worse overall. It was the second straight week in which rates deteriorated. Sentiment was driven largely by the proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 -- a.k.a. The $700 Billion Bailout.
The good news is that Congress drafted its bill Sunday evening and within the 110 pages, there is an important clause that should be good for m
Mortgage rates bounced around last week, ending up worse overall. It was the second straight week in which rates deteriorated. Sentiment was driven largely by the proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 -- a.k.a. The $700 Billion Bailout.
The good news is that Congress drafted its bill Sunday evening and within the 110 pages, there is an important clause that should be good for m
In a historic week for American Finance, mortgage rates rose considerably, reversing a 3-week trend through which rates had fallen.
The U.S. Treasury is the biggest reason why most conforming mortgage rates increased by a half-percent.
Hank Paulson's government group helped to restore investor confidence that had steadily eroded from concern to fear since July 2007, before succumbing to outright
In a historic week for American Finance, mortgage rates rose considerably, reversing a 3-week trend through which rates had fallen.
The U.S. Treasury is the biggest reason why most conforming mortgage rates increased by a half-percent.
Hank Paulson's government group helped to restore investor confidence that had steadily eroded from concern to fear since July 2007, before succumbing to outright
In a week overdone with market-altering news, conforming mortgage rates shed a quarter-percent overall last week. It was the third straight week in which rates improved.
The biggest story, by far, was the government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The two quasi-government agencies were nationalized into bona fide government agencies, converted mortgage-backed debt into risk-free, gove
In a week overdone with market-altering news, conforming mortgage rates shed a quarter-percent overall last week. It was the third straight week in which rates improved.
The biggest story, by far, was the government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The two quasi-government agencies were nationalized into bona fide government agencies, converted mortgage-backed debt into risk-free, gove
Mortgage markets improved last week on Hurricane Gustav's less-than-expected damages and a strengthening U.S. dollar.
Even factoring in Friday's 0.125 percent run-up on most mortgage products, rates improved overall.
It's the second straight week in which mortgage rates improved.
But for all the news that we could dissect from last week, it should be the news from this week that proves most in
Mortgage markets improved last week on Hurricane Gustav's less-than-expected damages and a strengthening U.S. dollar.
Even factoring in Friday's 0.125 percent run-up on most mortgage products, rates improved overall.
It's the second straight week in which mortgage rates improved.
But for all the news that we could dissect from last week, it should be the news from this week that proves most in
For the first time in 4 weeks, mortgage rates closing a week lower than where they opened it
Markets shrugged off uncertainty about Hurricane Gustav and chose to rally on the backs of strong economic data.
Overall, rates were down by about 0.125 percent, or $96 per year per $100,000 borrowed.
Markets were influenced by a handful of positive news last week -- two pieces of housing data gave markets
For the first time in 4 weeks, mortgage rates closing a week lower than where they opened it
Markets shrugged off uncertainty about Hurricane Gustav and chose to rally on the backs of strong economic data.
Overall, rates were down by about 0.125 percent, or $96 per year per $100,000 borrowed.
Markets were influenced by a handful of positive news last week -- two pieces of housing data gave markets
INTEGRATION EXERCISES
Exercises To Do On Your Own
LOOKING BACK
Time for Exercise: 15 minutes to one hour
Properties Required: pen and paper
Steps:
1. (...)
Tonight while monitoring the tweets on Twitter about Gustav -- including the helpful communication info from a representative of Sprint -- I also read one of Big Tobacco’s older posts describing his experiences when his National Guard unit was in New Orleans after Katrina. As you may recall, Big Tobacco is a National Guard infantryman currently deployed somewhere in Kuwait. Apparently he
Momentum carried mortgage markets through a week of low trading volume and few economic releases. Rates were volatile, but ended the week unchanged overall.
Don't let the word "unchanged" fool you, however.
From day-to-day last week, mortgage rates covered a huge range and it was only coincidence that Friday ended where Monday began.
And it's the second week in a row that that happened.
Lately,
Momentum carried mortgage markets through a week of low trading volume and few economic releases. Rates were volatile, but ended the week unchanged overall.
Don't let the word "unchanged" fool you, however.
From day-to-day last week, mortgage rates covered a huge range and it was only coincidence that Friday ended where Monday began.
And it's the second week in a row that that happened.
Lately,
Okay, it's still summer for a bit. Fall will officially start later next month (and I will be joining in as always with Katrina's Fall Reading Challenge), but we just returned from our summer vacation and school starts for Amanda on Wednesday, so it's a good time to look back.
I had some goals this summer. I wanted a nice mix of complete R&R and enough activity to keep the kids entertained.
It seems I’m pulling in quite a few new readers at the moment. My daily page hit count has been around 184 over the past week or so, jumping up to 233 on one occasion. Not exactly in the same league as some out there, but a definite improvement and rather gratifying nonetheless.
So, I’d just [...]
Mortgage rates overcame a terrible Monday last week, climbing back to unchanged by Friday. And like most weeks this year, rates were volatile.
Most interesting about last week, though, was that there was a ton of news that should have dragged mortgage rates down, but it didn't seem to happen.
A popular inflation measure reached a 17-year high
A petropolitical war erupted in Eastern Europe
Whis
Mortgage rates overcame a terrible Monday last week, climbing back to unchanged by Friday. And like most weeks this year, rates were volatile.
Most interesting about last week, though, was that there was a ton of news that should have dragged mortgage rates down, but it didn't seem to happen.
A popular inflation measure reached a 17-year high
A petropolitical war erupted in Eastern Europe
Whis
In a week packed with mortgagenewsand economic data, mortgage rates swung hard in both directions last week before settling into the weekend slightly higher across the board.
Adjustable-rate mortgages worsened more than their fixed-rate counterparts and both broke a two-week streak in which mortgage rates had improved.
But, if we look at all of the big stories oflast week, there was a dramatic ove
In a week packed with mortgagenewsand economic data, mortgage rates swung hard in both directions last week before settling into the weekend slightly higher across the board.
Adjustable-rate mortgages worsened more than their fixed-rate counterparts and both broke a two-week streak in which mortgage rates had improved.
But, if we look at all of the big stories oflast week, there was a dramatic ove
A long, long time ago (by which I mean nine months), we first heard talk of a reunion by the Norwegian pop group Aqua, I guess in honor of the fact that their Mattel-angering hit "Barbie Girl" is now 11 years old. Well, they have come back indeed, and they have a new song... which, for some reason, is a look back at the '80s, and not the decade that they're so identified with. Perhaps they are try
In a week in which stock markets moved 1 percent or more onfour separate days, mortgage markets displayed a relative calmness that helped pull rates lower.
It was the second consecutive week that mortgage rates improved.
Last week's biggest story came Monday when the housing bill was passed into law. The new law provides lifelines to the housing market's far-reaching corners including to homeowner
In a week in which stock markets moved 1 percent or more onfour separate days, mortgage markets displayed a relative calmness that helped pull rates lower.
It was the second consecutive week that mortgage rates improved.
Last week's biggest story came Monday when the housing bill was passed into law. The new law provides lifelines to the housing market's far-reaching corners including to homeowner
I had a peek back to July of last year. In my July 30th post from last year, I said that I’d taken the What Famous Pinup Are You quiz three times. Because there were a couple of questions where my answers could’ve gone a couple of different ways, I’d wondered if I’d get three different results.
My [...]
On the wave of a two-day rally, mortgage rates improved last week overall. This despite a Friday reversal that had caused rates to tick higher just before weekend house-hunting began.
And, like so many other weeks this year, last week's mortgage market activity was defined by its quick-moving interest rates.
At least one major mortgage lender issued 11 separate rates sheets between -- an average
On the wave of a two-day rally, mortgage rates improved last week overall. This despite a Friday reversal that had caused rates to tick higher just before weekend house-hunting began.
And, like so many other weeks this year, last week's mortgage market activity was defined by its quick-moving interest rates.
At least one major mortgage lender issued 11 separate rates sheets between -- an average
Mortgage rates soared last week as mortgage markets experienced a 4-day freefall.
By the end of the trading week, conforming mortgage rates had jumped by as much as 0.500 percent.
The spike in rates can't be pinned on any one factor, but 3 contributing factors include:
The lingering impact of high energy prices on inflation
The ongoing weakness of the U.S. dollar
A rally in the financial secto
Mortgage rates soared last week as mortgage markets experienced a 4-day freefall.
By the end of the trading week, conforming mortgage rates had jumped by as much as 0.500 percent.
The spike in rates can't be pinned on any one factor, but 3 contributing factors include:
The lingering impact of high energy prices on inflation
The ongoing weakness of the U.S. dollar
A rally in the financial secto
Mortgage rates fell slightly in a week that included a bank failure, more oil price spikes, and questions about the health of the nations' mortgage market.
Rates would have fallen more if not for a late-Friday sell-off that added 0.125 percent to most products.
As financial markets fell under stress, most people missed the strong points that emerged about the U.S. economy last week:
Fewer Americ
Mortgage rates fell slightly in a week that included a bank failure, more oil price spikes, and questions about the health of the nations' mortgage market.
Rates would have fallen more if not for a late-Friday sell-off that added 0.125 percent to most products.
As financial markets fell under stress, most people missed the strong points that emerged about the U.S. economy last week:
Fewer Americ
Last week was fairly uneventful in the mortgage markets, with rates slightly edging lower across the board and without much data to influencetrading.
Even Thursday morning's hotly-anticipated jobs report was met with lukewarm interest; many traders had already left for the weekend.
Mortgage rates just drifted -- a little up and little down,but mostly unchanged.
Mortgage insiders may have found la
Last week was fairly uneventful in the mortgage markets, with rates slightly edging lower across the board and without much data to influencetrading.
Even Thursday morning's hotly-anticipated jobs report was met with lukewarm interest; many traders had already left for the weekend.
Mortgage rates just drifted -- a little up and little down,but mostly unchanged.
Mortgage insiders may have found la
Mortgage rates improved last week, marking the first time since mid-May that has happened.
The rate drop is the result of how mortgage markets interpreted the Federal Reserve's Wednesday press release.
In it, the Fed said:
Inflation pressures should lessen soon
Growth should remain steady this year
The credit market is currently fragile
Separately, none of this was news to the markets. But consi
Mortgage rates improved last week, marking the first time since mid-May that has happened.
The rate drop is the result of how mortgage markets interpreted the Federal Reserve's Wednesday press release.
In it, the Fed said:
Inflation pressures should lessen soon
Growth should remain steady this year
The credit market is currently fragile
Separately, none of this was news to the markets. But consi
So, I’m still thinking a lot about how much time I spend being a Momma, and how much time I get to just be me. And the disparity. And how I need to manage that better, and have help doing so.
Thinking about what I need to be a mentally healthy, happy person.
Thinking about how I need [...]
Mortgage rates edged higher for the fifth straight week and thebenchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is nowat a 10-month high.
One reason why rates are spiking is because the temporary jolt from higher energy and food costs is starting to look like a longer-term trend.
For example, high energy prices get a lot of press, but its 19.4 percent increase since last year is dwarfed by the 64.8 percent i
Mortgage rates edged higher for the fifth straight week and thebenchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is nowat a 10-month high.
One reason why rates are spiking is because the temporary jolt from higher energy and food costs is starting to look like a longer-term trend.
For example, high energy prices get a lot of press, but its 19.4 percent increase since last year is dwarfed by the 64.8 percent i
It is interesting this retrospective blogging, that I have been doing over these last few posts. It allows me to look again at my feelings and motivation for buying my Czech home, why this house, why then. So much has happened in the two and half years since I first stood in the farm's courtyard and looked up at the barn. It has distorted my view of things - the work, the times of despair and doub
I always knew thatlooking back on my tears would someday make me laugh,but I never knew that looking back on my laughterwould someday make me cry.I Really Miss you.--More Missing You SMS Messages, Top Missing You SMS Texts, Top Friendship SMS Messages, Top I Miss You SMS Messages, Best Missing You SMS Collection, Top Friendship SMS, Latest Missing You SMS Collections, Cool Missing You SMS Collect
Mortgage rates moved higher last week on lingering concerns about inflation, the fourth straight week in which rates rose.
Mortgage rates are now as high as they've been since October 2007.
Because inflation devalues mortgage bonds, market players are quick to unload them when signs of inflation are present.
Last week, there were several such signs:
The American Consumer is
Mortgage rates moved higher last week on lingering concerns about inflation, the fourth straight week in which rates rose.
Mortgage rates are now as high as they've beensince October 2007.
Because inflation devalues mortgage bonds, market players are quick to unload themwhen signs of inflation are present.
Last week, there were several such signs:
The American Consumer is spending undettereddespi
No Looking Back for Mumbai Real Estate
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is a city that virtually never sleeps. The real estate scenario in this city of dreams has been reflective of the growing real estate sector of India.
There has been an increase in demand as well [...]
It’s the last day of my last child’s school year. I will be posted at the end of the driveway with my camera to take the traditional ‘end of the year’ shot, which I have taken every year for every child. I match it up with their first day of school shot and hope to [...]
It’s the last day of my last child’s school year. I will be posted at the end of the driveway with my camera to take the traditional ‘end of the year’ shot, which I have taken every year for every child. I match it up with their first day of school shot and hope to [...]
There was no rest for the mortgage-rate weary last week.
As mortgage bonds sold off early in the week, sharp rate hikes followed. A steady stream of better-than-expected economic reports had re-ignited inflation fears, drawing money from the bond market.
On Friday, however, the money flow reversed on a triple threat to the U.S. economy:
The Unemployment Rate took its biggest one-month
There was no rest for the mortgage-rate weary last week.
As mortgage bonds sold off early in the week, sharp rate hikes followed. A steady stream of better-than-expected economic reports had re-ignited inflation fears, drawing money from the bond market.
On Friday, however, themoney flow reversed on a triple threat to the U.S. economy:
The Unemployment Rate took its biggest one-month jump in 22
Mortgage rates rocketed higher last week, stunning active home buyers and mortgage rate shoppers.
Some conforming mortgage rates rose by as much as three-quarters of a percent before Friday's closing.
Even in a year in which mortgage rates have been extremely volatile, last week's spike was a large one.
The main driver of last week's increase was additional evidence that the U.S. economy wa
Mortgage rates rocketed higher last week, stunning active home buyers and mortgage rate shoppers.
Some conforming mortgage rates rose by as much as three-quarters of a percent before Friday's closing.
Even in a year in which mortgage rates have been extremely volatile, last week's spike was a large one.
The main driver of last week's increase was additional evidence that the U.S. economy was neve
The market optimism that had pushed mortgage rates lower since late-March reversed last week on ever-rising oil prices and a bleak outlook from the Federal Reserve.
When gas prices reached $3.93 Friday, it re-ignited inflation concerns and inflation, you'll remember, is the enemy of mortgage rates.
As expected, mortgage rates spiked into Friday's market close.
Markets were closed for M
Despite the shock of 9-11, which happened in New Zealand on September 12, 2001 thanks to the time difference (why don’t we insist on calling it 12-9?), I still had to attend the breakfast for the first day of the Wellington Fashion Festival for Lucire. And, that morning, I had to pay for car parking [...]
Optimism ruled the markets last week -- optimism about employment, optimism about housing, and optimism about inflation.
Mortgage rates edged lower overall.
Despite the positive sentiment from Wall Street, consumer confidence in the economy reached a 28-year low.
This is a normal divergence because investors live in the "future" of markets while Americans live in the "right now"
With little economic news to influence trading and despite a late-Friday afternoon spike, mortgage rates edged lower last week.
Two weeks ago, when it lowered the Fed Funds Rate by a quarter-percent, the Federal Reserve noted two things:
The economy was stabilizing
High energy costs threatened inflation
In the days that followed, though, the U.S. dollar strengthened and crude oil prices fel
First I want to welcome Ate Beth who’s back in Singapura with her sister Clarissa (na maganda raw…hmnnnn)! Hope you did not carry with you unnecessary baggages. Leave them behind kapatid! Check them out!
Ikain mo na lang yan!
See! This is one way to beat the stress:
Do you want Dunkin’ Donuts?
Manoy will get for you
When Ate [...]
Mortgage markets lost ground last week on inflation concerns and a general feeling that "the worst may be over" on Wall Street.
As investors moved money into the stock market, mortgage rates ticked higher for the second straight week.
The biggest story from last week was the rising cost of gasoline.
Rising energy costs combined with rising food prices are creating worries about the American consumer's ability to spur the economy forward.
That sets up the biggest story of this week -- the Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
The FOMC starts a 2-day meeting Tuesday and is widely expected to lower the Fed Funds Rate by 0.250 percent at its adjournment.
Cuts to the Fed Funds Rate are meant to promote growth in the economy by decreasing borrowing costs for
The S&P 500 added 4.3 percent last week -- more than during all of 2007 -- in what was a good week for the economy and a bad week for mortgage rate shoppers.
After Friday's close, mortgage rates were higher by as much as 0.375% versus the Friday prior. This reversed a trend of falling rates for Americans.
In recent weeks, mortgage rates had been falling as investors fled risky stocks and parked their money in the bond markets.
A trading pattern such as this one is sometimes called "Flight to Quality" and it creates a high demand for all types of bonds. When bond demand is high, bond prices increase and that drives bonds' relative rates of return down.
Over this past week, however, the Flight to Quality unwound.
Investors saw opportunities f
Through 5 days of see-saw trading, mortgage rates ended last week relatively flat; the downward tick into Friday's close was a boon for home buyers this past weekend.
It may be short-lived, however.
Oil continues to sit near all-time highs and a slew of inflation-related data is crossing the wires this week.
When inflation pressures are high, mortgage rates rise.
The first piece of data is Retail Sales for March and it hits Monday at 8:30 A.M. ET.
Traders pay close attention to Retail Sales because consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy. If sales growth is negative, it's unlikely that Americans will spend the economy out of its weakness.
That should bode well for mortgage rates because a sluggish economy can combat some forms of inflation.
Next, on
Mortgage rates edged lower last week, buoyed by a weak employment report for March.
After shedding 80,000 jobs last month, the number of working Americans is lower by 232,000 so far this year.
Many pundits are claiming these figures are proof of a U.S. economic recession but it's important to keep the data in perspective.
According to the government, there are 153 million people in the workforce.
The 232,000 terminated workers, therefore, represent a fractional 0.15 percent of the workforce. This is a very small percentage.
This week, there isn't much new data for markets to digest but we'll want to keep an eye on some important events.
The first is Monday's Consumer Credit report. As the Federal Reserve has lowered the Fed Funds Rate, Prime Rate ha
Sunday again and there was lots to do at home. Maya breathed a sigh of relief and sat down warily on the couch. Today was cleaning day and since their family was on a holiday last weekend, she would...
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Sunday again and there was lots to do at home. Maya breathed a sigh of relief and sat down warily on the couch. Today was cleaning day and since their family was on a holiday last weekend, she would have to do loads of work today. Mumbling circumspectly to herself, Maya got to work. She started with the old cupboard which contained hoards of items and could pop up old surprises, at any moment. She saw an old radio which was in the shape of a small square box with an even smaller dial at one end which produced strange gurgling noises when turned. Lifting an eyebrow, Maya looked beyond. There was the doll that Mini, her daughter, had been given when she was nine. Now she was 15 and didn’t need it so it lay abandoned……with one eye popping out and her dresses worn and torn.
fewer and fewer evangelical Christians will be attracted to the mood of angry nostalgia for a lost golden Christian America that has so often characterized the evangelical public voice[…]. - David GusheeReligion Dispatches has posted a summary of a panel discussion with scholar David Gushee on the shifting political landscape of evangelical America. It's worth a read if you are interested. The bloggist, Robert P. Jones, offers several interesting notions of his own. Essentially, party loyalty is fading as people are willingly step away from the rhetoric of the power mongers and express the nuances of their own thinking. The priorities may not be what many expect. The question is, of course, how this will show itself in the coming presidential election. Should be interesting. I pulled the
Real Madrid dispelled any doubts that they can go all the way to claim a second consecutive Primera Liga title with their convincing 3-1 victory over Sevilla, coach Bernd Schuster said.
Saturday the tasting room staff had planned to go to dinner with one of our growers and to taste through several older vintages of the Planchon Vineyard Zinfandel, one of my favorites. Unfortunately, things changed last minute and we had to reschedule. Since we were all a little sad about missing out on [...]
Mortgage rates were up last week on weak housing data and a growing nervousness about mortgage bond quality.
Rates would have been up more if not for a tame inflation reading Friday.
The Personal Consumption Expenditures report fell Friday to 2.0% year-over-year, putting it back within the Federal Reserve's comfort zone of 1-2 percent.
PCE is the Fed's preferred inflation gauge and with inflation in check, Ben Bernanke & Co. can focus on other elements of the economy such as housing and employment.
Mortgage rates figure to be volatile (again) this week.
The first major event to strike markets is today's release of a 200-page, government-written plan outlining sweeping reforms for the financial industry.
If markets interpret the government's plan to be bad f
This is the second single off their EP titled The D.E.Y. Has Come. This track is called No Looking Back.
Check it out HERE
Bonus:
Cassie - Thirsty
Solange Knowles - God Given Name
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I have been tagged by a friend of mine, Jenny. Thanks friend for sharing this with me. Now it's my turn to reminisce the day when I was I was still in high school, way back 2000. THINK BACK TO 4th year high school... Let's see how much you remember and how much you regret.. What section were you?>I am in the first section. Section Quezon. Who were your seatmates? >Five seats in a row...first, Me, Janice, Michelle, Kim, and Janet. Still remember your english teacher? >Nope! What was your first class? >Filipino Made friends to the lower years? >Nope, mostly my friends belong to a 3rd and a 4th year level How was your class schedule? >It was fine. Starts at 8 am until 4 pm. Made any enemies? >Nope. I am a good and friendly person, you know. Who was your favorite teacher???>Mrs. Ali
