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MarketMinute | Jobs Stay Strong & Housing Slows

Feb 13

5:13

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

The Commerce Department reported a stall in retail sales growth for December, after a 0.6% increase in November.

The BLS January jobs report showed a resilient labor market, with stronger-than-expected job creation and an unemployment rate of 4.3%.

However, revisions to past data showed 1.5 million jobs created in 2024, rather than the 2 million reported, and only 181,000 added in 2025.

Housing News

Purchase mortgage applications were 4% higher year over year, though down 2% for the week.

HousingWire reports senior housing demand is rising faster than new supply. Construction is at its lowest level in more than a decade.

NAR attributes an 8.4% month-over-month drop in January’s existing home sales to winter weather and reduced inventory.

MarketMinute | Check out homeowner interest rates

Feb 6

3:22

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Both new and continuing jobless claims were higher than expected last week, possibly due to the severe winter weather.

Last month, companies announced the largest number of job cuts for any January since 2009, according to the Challenger jobs report.

The partial government shutdown lasted only a couple of days, but it pushed labor and inflation reports to next week.

Housing News

ICE Mortgage Technology reports over 30% of homeowners have a mortgage rate above 5%, with about 20% having rates over 6%.

Harsh winter storms hit much of the country, keeping potential buyers home and leading to a 9% drop in total mortgage application volume.

Apartment rents fell in January to the lowest level in 4 years. The national median rent was $1,353, a drop of 1.4% from last year.

MarketMinute | Home prices rose slightly in 2025

Jan 30

5:29

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

The Fed left its policy rate unchanged this week and signaled that more rate cuts are not likely in the next few months.

Unemployment claims came in low for a 2nd straight week. Continuing claims dropped to the lowest level since September 2024.

Consumer confidence fell in January to its lowest level since 2014, as concerns grew over prices and the job market.

Housing News

In December, homebuyers backed out of deals at the fastest pace in nearly a decade, with more than 40,000 signed purchase agreements canceled.

Purchase apps were flat for the week, after mortgage rates moved higher for the first time in a month. Overall applications dropped 8.5%.

According to the ICE Home Price Index, home prices grew by 0.7% in 2025. Prices of single-family homes rose 1.0% for the year.

MarketMinute | Renovations push construction spending

Jan 23

4:00

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Jobless claims last week came in at 200k, lower than expected. The 4-week moving average of new applications hit a 2-year low.

The Fed's main gauge of inflation drifted higher in November, reaching 2.8%. The reported rate was in line with expectations.

Google searches for “No Buy January” hit a 5-year high, as Gen Zers and millennials committed to a freeze on buying nonessential goods.

Housing News

Pending home sales dropped sharply in December, down 9.3% from November and 3% year over year. Homes averaged 39 days on the market.

President Trump signed an executive order detailing a multi-part process designed to limit institutional purchases of single-family homes.

Construction spending rose more than expected in October, likely due to home renovations. Spending fell for new single- and multi-family projects.

MarketMinute | Existing home sales jumped in December

Jan 16

6:07

AM

Category | Markets in a Minute

Consumer inflation remained steady in December, still above the Fed's target and still causing affordability concerns for many Americans.

Wholesale inflation was softer than expected but remained stubbornly high in November, a potential signal consumer inflation won't fall soon.

Retail sales increased in November by the most since July, suggesting the economy maintained its strong pace of growth in the 4th quarter.

Housing News

The U.S. Census Bureau reports new home prices fell to a 4-year low in October. The median price hit $392,300, down 8% from a year earlier.

Existing home sales ended the year strong with a 5.1% jump in December. The median home price was $405,400, up 0.4% year over year, per NAR.

After rates dropped last week, mortgage purchase apps were up 16% for the week and 13% year over year. Refi apps surged 40% for the week.