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By G. Steven Bray
Starting this holiday week, we find mortgage rates still hanging out in the same range they’ve held since the first part of Oct, albeit at the lower end of that range thanks to “flight to safety” market action last week. And it’s that action that possibly could deliver an early Christmas present of lower rates in the upcoming weeks.
First, let’s get through this week. Holiday weeks like this tend to produce limited overall rate movement because few traders are tuned in. In the odd case that remaining traders push rates higher or lower, the market probably will self-correct next week absent some unexpected headline. My conclusion is if you aren’t risk averse, odds are you’ll see similar rates next week given the current market sentiment.
Looking out a little further, we have the most positive outlook for lower rates that we’ve had since summer. While the US economy still looks incredibly strong, global conditions aren’t quite as rosy. Economists are starting to sound alarm bells about slowing global growth. On top of that, recent headlines about Brexit, the Italian budget drama, and emerging market difficulties are like wind gusts embedded in an increasing headwind.
Traders mostly had been ignoring these negative factor given the prospects for rising US inflation, increased government borrowing, and the Federal Reserve’s apparent rate hike plan, all of which support higher rates. However, last week’s inflation report showed inflation remains tame. Friday, the Fed’s Vice Chair acknowledged the potential effects of slowing global growth on the US economy, which made traders question the rate hike plan.
Overall, I think momentum favors slightly lower rates, but if you’re going to float your rate, be cautious. The US economy is still a powerhouse, and I’m not convinced yet we’ve seen the highest rates of this cycle.
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