FOMC Meeting

Federal Reserve Announces New Twist to Stimulate Economy

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathered for the 6th of eight scheduled meeting for 2011.

Since the last FOMC meeting in August, the economy failed to add any new jobs and the unemployment rates has remained above 9 percent. Growing fears of another recession have been fueled by the poor performance throughout every sector of the economy.

Economists and financial analysts worldwide have been on the edge of their seat waiting to hear how the FOMC intends to prevent another recession while keeping a lid on inflation.

Why should Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois home buyers and homeowners even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve will accomplish their dual mandate to foster maximum employment and price stability.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the committee had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending has been increasing
• Inflation has moderated from earlier peaks
• Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable

Negative economic factors:

• Economic growth remains slow
• Overall labor market conditions continue to weaken
• Unemployment rate remains elevated
• Household spending has flattened
• Investment in nonresidential structures is still weak
• Housing sector remains depressed

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, the committee voted 7-3 in favor of:

1. extend the average maturity of its holdings of securities
2. reinvest principal payments from its holding of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities
3. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250%

The Federal Reserve also elaborated on how they will extend the average maturity of its holdings of securities.

The Committee intends to purchase, by the end of June 2012, $400 billion of Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 6 years to 30 years and to sell an equal amount of Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less.

What does all this really mean to Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois home buyers and homeowners?

The Federal Reserve is running out of options and tools to foster maximum employment. The economy appears to be heading for another recession despite the best efforts of the US Treasury and Congress.

This new initiative (aka. Operation Twist) by the Federal Reserve appears to be a re-balancing of short-term debt and long-term debt on the Fed’s portfolio. The Fed is attempting to refinance their debt overall a longer time frame as to minimize the cash flow crunch in the same manner as consumers who refinance short-term debt into longer-termed mortgages.

At the end of the day, will the Fed have enough money to accomplish their objectives of paying bills while paying down the existing debt? Only time will tell. In the mean time, the Federal Reserve will take advantage of the low interest rate environment as well.

Likewise, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois should capitalize on low home loan rates now before they end. Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your home loan options!

FOMC Meeting

Federal Reserve Vows to Keep Low Rates Through Mid-2013

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathered for the 5th of eight scheduled meeting for 2011.

The biggest announcement since the last FOMC meeting in June, which there have been many, is obviously the downgrade of the US credit rating by Standards & Poor’s over the weekend.

This downgrade has devalued the US dollar and has had immediate impact on stocks worldwide. Combine our domestic woes with the debt crisis in Europe and it is no surprise why stock investors are running scared.

Why should Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois home buyers and homeowners even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve will accomplish their dual mandate to foster maximum employment and price stability.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the committee had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Business spending on equipment and software continues to expand
• Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable
• Underlying inflation has moderated from earlier peaks

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending has flattened
• Investment in nonresidential structures is still weak
• Overall labor market conditions deteriorating
• Housing sector remains depressed

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, the committee voted 7-3 in favor of:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250%
2. maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holding

The Federal Reserve also elaborated on how long a near zero percent Fed Funds Rate would last.

Committee currently anticipates that economic conditions – including low rates of resource utilization and a subdued outlook for inflation over the medium run – are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate at least through mid-2013.

What does all this really mean to Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois home buyers and homeowners?

The Federal Reserve is running out of options and tools to foster maximum employment. The economy appears to be heading for another recession despite the best efforts of the US Treasury and Congress.

Even with the US credit downgrade, mortgage bonds are in high demand forcing home loan rates lower. It is hard to forsee how mortgage rates could get any lower based on everything that is happening domestically and worldwide. One hint of good economic news and mortgage rates could reverse course instanteously.

Therefore, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois should take quick action to capitalize on low home loan rates before they end. Call or text me at 512-522-7284 to discuss your personal situation and your home loan options!

FOMC Meeting

Fed Wants More Stimulus Despite Positive Economic Signs

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathered for the 1st of eight scheduled meeting for 2011.

Since the last FOMC meeting in December the US economy has been providing positive signals on the scope and pace of a jobless recovery. The stock market has enjoyed a nice rally since the beginning of 2011 as well.

The biggest announcement from the December FOMC meeting was the Federal Reserve’s commitment to Quantitative Easing (QE2). There has been plenty of debate since the December 14th FOMC meeting about the effectiveness QE2.

Why should home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve will accomplish their dual mandate to foster maximum employment and price stability.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the committee had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending picked up late last year
• Business spending on equipment and software is rising
• Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable
• Underlying inflation have been trending downward

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending…constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit
• Business spending…investment in nonresidential structures is still weak
• Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls
• Housing sector continues to be depressed

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, the committee voted 11-0 in favor of:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250% for an extended period
2. maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings
3. intends to purchase $600 billion of longer-term Treasurys by the end of the 2nd quarter 2011

The Federal Reserve reaffirmed it’s commitment to Quantitative Easing 2 and is prepared to see it through to the end. The FOMC also acknowledged that the economic recovery is continuing, but not at a pace sufficient to improve the labor market.

What does all this really mean to home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana?

The Federal Reserve is running out of options and tools to keep interest rates at historic lows. The rising trend in home loan rates since the last FOMC meeting in December 2010 is proof that worldwide bond markets are becoming numb to the FOMC’s influence. Therefore, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana should take quick action to capitalize on low home loan rates before they end.

FOMC Meeting

Federal Reserve Confirms Economic Recovery with Caution

As the year comes to an end, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathered for the 8th and final schedule meeting for 2010.

Since the last FOMC meeting in November the US economy has been providing mixed signals on the scope and pace of a jobless recovery. The biggest announcement from the November FOMC meeting was the launch of a second round of Quantitative Easing (QE2). Many questions have been circulating since November 3rd about the effectiveness QE2.

Why should home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve will accomplish their dual mandate to foster maximum employment and price stability.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the committee had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending is increasing at a moderate pace
• Business spending on equipment and software is rising
• Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable
• Underlying inflation have continued to trend downward

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending…constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit
• Business spending…less rapidly than earlier, while investment…continues to be weak
• Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls
• Housing sector continues to be depressed

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, the committee voted 10-1 in favor of:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250% for an extended period
2. maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings
3. intends to purchase $600 billion of longer-term Treasurys by 2nd quarter 2011 ($75 billion per month)

The Federal Reserve reaffirmed it’s commitment to Quantitative Easing 2 and is prepared to see it through to the end. The FOMC also acknowledged that the economic recovery is continuing, but not at a pace sufficient to lower the unemployment rate.

What does all this really mean to home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana?

The Federal Reserve is running out of options and tools to keep interest rates at historic lows as worldwide bond markets are becoming numb to the FOMC’s influence. Therefore, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana should take quick action to capitalize on low home loan rates before they end.

FOMC Meeting

What’s Humpty Hump Have To Do With the Federal Reserve

“Stop whatcha doin’, ’cause I’m about to ruin, the image and the style that ya used to. I look funny, but yo I’m makin’ money see, so yo world I hope you’re ready for me.”

These famous lyrics which were sung by Humpty Hump in his infamous 1989 hip hop song “The Humpty Dance” seems so appropriate for what the Federal Reserve had to say from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the 7th of eight scheduled meetings and eighth overall for 2010.

Financial analysts and economic forecasters worldwide attempt to guesstimate what the Federal Reserve will or will not say in their policy statement prior to the meeting. Often times it comes down to a single word that has been modified in the policy statement.

What’s the purpose of these meetings? Why all the scrutiny of words?

Why should home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve will accomplish their dual mandate to foster maximum employment and price stability.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the FOMC had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending is increasing gradually
• Business spending on equipment and software is rising
• Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable
• Underlying inflation has trended lower in recent quarters

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending…constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit
• Business spending…less rapidly than earlier, while investment…continues to be weak
• Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls
• Housing starts are at a depressed levels

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, they voted 10-1 to do the following:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250% for an extended period
2. maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings
3. expand it holdings of securities by $600 billion by 2nd quarter 2011 ($75 billion per month)

Ready or not, laugh if you want to, the Federal Reserve is taking bold steps to combat slow employment and economic growth. Only time will tell if the markets were ready for this new round of quantitative easing.

What does all this really mean to home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana?

The Federal Reserve is still committed to keep interest rates low until they are confident that the economy is reaching their ideal, economic target growth rate. Thankfully, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana still have time to take advantage of historic low mortgage interest rates.

FOMC Meeting

Can You Hear What The Fed Said That Will Impact Housing

“When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” This was true in the 1980′s.

Today however it’s all about what the Federal Reserve had to say from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the 6th of eight scheduled meetings and seventh overall for 2010.

Financial analysts and economic forecasters worldwide attempt to guesstimate what the Federal Reserve will or will not say in their policy statement prior to the meeting. Often times it comes down to a single word that has been modified in the policy statement.

What’s the purpose of these meetings? Why all the scrutiny of words?

Why should home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana even care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve Banks intend to control the supply and demand of money. It is this monetary policy that can and will dictate future economic growth.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the FOMC had this to say about the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending is increasing gradually
• Business spending…is rising
• Bank lending has continued to contract, but at a reduced rate in recent months
• Underlying inflation has trended lower

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending…constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit
• Business spending…less rapidly than earlier, while investment…continues to be weak
• Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls
• Housing starts are at a depressed levels

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, they voted 8-1 to do the following:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250% for an extended period
2. maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings

The Federal Reserve is cautiously concerned about unemployment and falling prices. Accordingly, the Federal Reserve is ready to provide additional support to inject new life into today’s questionable economic recovery.

What does all this really mean to home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana?

The Federal Reserve is still committed to keep interest rates low until they are confident that the economy is reaching their ideal, economic target growth rate. Thankfully, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana still have time to take advantage of historic low mortgage interest rates.

FOMC Meeting

Can The US Economy Be Kept Afloat by Today’s Fed Actions

In case you missed it, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met today to discuss monetary policy. Today’s meeting was the 5th of eight scheduled meetings and sixth overall for 2010.

Financial analysts and economic forecastors worldwide have attempted to estimate what the Federal Reserve will or will not change in their policy statement prior to the meeting. Often times it comes down to a single word that has been inserted or left out of the policy statement.

Why all the scrutiny of words? What’s the purpose of these meetings and why should home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana care about the FOMC meetings?

First of all, the FOMC meetings provides a bird’s eye view of what the Federal Reserve believes to be important factors impacting the overall economy.

Second and more importantly, the press release from the FOMC meetings provides guidance to the financial markets on how the Federal Reserve Banks intend to control the supply and demand of money. It is this monetary policy that can and will dictate future economic growth.

According to FOMC Statement Press Release from today, the FOMC has a unique spin on the economy.

Positive economic factors:

• Household spending is increasing gradually
• Business spending…is rising
• Underlying inflation has trended lower

Negative economic factors:

• Household spending…constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit
• Business spending…weak investments and reluctant to add to payrolls
• Bank lending continues to contract

Based on the Federal Reserves interpretation of the economy, they voted 9-1 to do the following:

1. maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 – 0.250% for an extended period
2. support price stability by reinvesting in longer-term Treasury securities (new clause)

What does all this mean?

The Fed is 100% committed to keep interest rates low until they are confident that the economy is en route to a full recovery. Thankfully, home buyers and homeowners in Northwest Indiana still have time to take advantage of historic low mortgage interest rates.

FOMC Meeting

What Did The Fed Say That Has Everyone In An Uproar

Yesterday, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 9-to-1 to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged, in its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

In its press release, the FOMC noted that the U.S. economy “has continued to strengthen” and that the jobs markets “is stabilizing”.  It also said that business spending has “has risen significantly”.

This is a slight departure from the Fed’s January statement in which housing was not mentioned and business spending was said to be “picking up”.

It’s also the sixth straight statement from the FOMC in which the Fed described the economy with optimism.  This is a signal to markets that 2008-2009 recession is over and that economic growth is returning.

The economy is not without threats, however, and the Fed identified several:

1. High unemployment threatens consumer spending
2. Housing starts are at a “depressed level”
3. Consumer credit remains tight

The message’s overall tone, however, remained positive and inflation is within tolerance limits

Also in its statement, the Fed confirmed its plan to hold the Fed Funds Rate near zero percent “for an extended period” and to end its $1.25 trillion commitment to the mortgage market by March 31, 2010. Fed insiders estimate that the bond-buying program lowered mortgage rates by 1 percent since its start.

Mortgage market reaction to the Fed press release is, in general, ambivalent. Mortgage rates are unchanged this morning.

The FOMC’s next scheduled meeting is a 2-day affair, April 27-28, 2010.

Contact James K Barath in Northwest Indiana to Qualify for Your FREE FHA Home Loan Approval Today!

FOMC Meeting

It’s Not What The Fed Does, It’s What The Fed Says…

The Federal Open Market Committee adjourns from a scheduled 1-day meeting today, its second of the year. 

The FOMC has held the Fed Funds Rate in a target range of 0.000-0.250 percent since December 16, 2008, and the voting members of the Fed are expected to vote “no change” again today.

However, no change in the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t necessarily mean no change in mortgage rates.  This is because the Fed Funds Rate is a different interest rate from the rates home buyers get from a loan officer. 

• Fed Funds Rate : Short-term rate at which banks borrow from each other
• Mortgage Rate : Long-term rate of interest a homeowner pays on a mortgage

Mortgage rates are more responsive to what the Fed says as compared to what the Fed does. 

After each FOMC meeting, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke & Co issue a formal press release to the markets.  At roughly 400 words, the statement is a brief commentary on the strengths, weaknesses, and threats for the U.S. economy.

Wall Street watches the statement with great interest and this is why mortgage rates are often volatile on the days of an FOMC adjournment. One mention of a word like “inflation” and traders rush to dump their mortgage bond positions.

Inflation is the enemy of mortgage rates.

After the Fed’s last meeting in January, it told us that the economy had “weakened further”, led by steep declines both in housing and employment. Global demand was off, too.  The negative tone of the Fed’s statement caused mortgage rates to fall to near an all-time low.

This month, expect a less gloomy message.

Since January, there’s been a modest rebound in housing, employment appears more stable, and Retail Sales just posted huge gains.  If the Fed alludes to improvement in any or all three, mortgage rates will likely reverse and zoom higher.

We can’t know what the Fed today will say so if you’re floating a mortgage rate and wondering whether to lock, the safe approach would be to do it today, prior to 1:15 PM, CST.

Contact James K Barath in Northwest Indiana to Qualify for Your FREE FHA Home Loan Approval Today!

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