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MarketMinute | First Market Update of 2026

Jan 2

6:28

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% in November, below expectations but higher than the Fed’s stated goal of 2% inflation.

Fed meeting minutes show officials see room to cut rates more if inflation keeps easing, though they are split on how much to cut and when.

Jobless claims fell last week to the lowest in a month. The unemployment rate likely remained high in December due to sluggish hiring.

Housing News

Pending home sales surged to the highest level in nearly 3 years in November, as improving affordability drew in buyers.

Despite the improvements, the typical homebuyer still needs 7 years to save for a down payment, according to Realtor.com.

Active listings are now about 12% higher than a year ago but are still about 6% lower than they were pre-pandemic, per Realtor.com.

MarketMinute | Inflation is lower, but why not mortgage rates?

Dec 19

9:23

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Inflation came lower than expected for November, but the data came with concerns about gaps in collection during the long government shutdown.

More jobs were created in November than forecast, but slumped in October as unemployment hit 4.6%, the highest in four years.

Retail sales were little changed in October, with 8 of 13 categories increasing, despite a falloff in consumer sentiment and increased layoffs.

Housing News

Builder confidence crept higher in December but still ended the year in negative territory as builders grapple with rising construction costs.

The “Housing for the 21st Century Act” cleared the Financial Services Committee Wednesday, paving the way for a potential House vote in 2026.

Although purchase mortgage applications fell 3% for the prior week, they were 12% higher than the same week last year.

MarketMinute | What can't the Fed rate cut do?

Dec 12

8:42

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Jobless claims rose last week by the most since the onset of the pandemic, underscoring volatility in the labor market this time of year.

The Fed cut its policy rate this week, its third cut of the year, even as many officials signaled they didn't support the move.

Job openings rose slightly in October, but weak hiring and the lowest quits rate in five years highlight economic uncertainty.

Housing News

Fed Chair Powell said Fed actions won’t solve housing market struggles, including the supply shortage or the freeze caused by low-rate mortgages.

Active listings in November were nearly 13% higher year over year, but new listings were up just 1.7%, according to Realtor.com.

Purchase mortgage applications dropped 2% for the week but were 19% higher than the same week one year ago.

MarketMinute | Home price growth continues a 9-year streak

Dec 5

3:48

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

New jobless claims fell last week to the lowest in more than 3 years. Holiday hiring can make weekly claims data more volatile.

Mortgage rates edged up last week as optimism grew that the Fed would lower policy rates in December to support the job market.

Private payroll data showed companies cut 32,000 workers in November. Small businesses led the pullback.

Housing News

Applications for a purchase mortgage rose 3% for the week and were 17% higher than the same week one year ago.

The FHFA Home Price Index posted 2.2% annual growth in Q3, marking continued yearly appreciation in quarterly reports since 2012.

The national median rent for apartments fell 1% to $1,367 in November, while vacancies hit a record high.

MarketMinute | Home prices continue their rise while inventory shrinks

Nov 21

3:08

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

September jobs data, released almost 7 weeks late, showed stronger than expected job creation, marking the biggest jump since April.

The unemployment rate grew to 4.4%, the highest level since October 2021. The increase was driven by an expansion in the labor force.

October's Fed meeting minutes revealed a divide among officials on rate cuts and whether inflation or the labor market poses the bigger threat.

Housing News

Existing home sales in October were 1.7% higher than a year ago, though homes are staying on the market longer at an average of 34 days.

After making gains earlier this year, the inventory of homes for sale has fallen to a 4.4-month supply, or 1.52 million units.

The median sales price of a home sold in October was $415,200, or 2.1% higher than a year ago. It was the 28th consecutive month of annual gains.