Following a spike at the end of 2022, mortgage rates dropped sharply last week, driving demand from current homeowners hoping to save on their monthly payments, though it failed to excite potential homebuyers. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index is reporting that the total mortgage application volume rose 1.2% last week compared with the previous week. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances decreased to 6.42% from 6.58%, with points remaining at 0.73 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment. That rate was 3.52% just a year ago.

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied examine this news and try to make sense of what it means for the housing market and the economy as a whole.

They discuss the effects recessions have had on the energy sector historically, such as lower oil demand, as well as a comment by Jerome Powell stating that price stability is the bedrock of a healthy economy.

Chris and Saied look at comments from Ron Insana from Contrast Capital, stating that the current data don’t support concerns by the Fed and many other economists who worry about an emergent wage/price spiral.

They also offer some thoughts on the precedents that were set by the acquisition of Union Bank by US Bancorp, and how that has affected other banks, such as embattled Wells Fargo.

Join Chris and Saied for this fascinating and informative conversation.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Learn in this Show:

• The latest CPI report and what it means for inflation and the economy.
• Why the World Bank's statement about cutting its 2023 forecasts is not nearly as ominous as it sounds.
• The unconstitutional nature of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.
• Why the job numbers appear to still be relatively strong, despite mass layoffs happening across several sectors.
• And so much more...

Resources:

"Inflation is easing, even if it may not feel that way" (article from NPR)

"Insana says the case is clear that inflation is over" (article from CNBC)

"Mortgage refinance demand surges, as homeowners take advantage of lower interest rates" (article from CNBC)

"The World Bank is cutting its 2023 forecasts and warning of a global recession" (Bloomberg Businessweek via Instagram)

"Forget Core CPI, Market Pros Are Searching for Supercore Inflation" (article from The Wall Street Journal)