Newsletter-September 15th, 2025    
Mark A Gelbman
Loan Officer | NMLS# 112342
Union Home Mortgage
97 Mill St
Rochester, MI 48309
Cell Phone: (248) 705-8431
E-Mail: mgelbman@uhm.com
   
 

Market Comment

Mortgage bond prices finished the week slightly lower which put a little upward pressure on rates. Equities trended higher amid expectations for future Fed rate cuts. The MBS market had a slight negative bias to start, but tame inflation readings and higher jobless claims tempered selling pressure. The producer price index fell 0.1% vs the expected 0.3% increase. The core also fell 0.1% vs the expected 0.3% increase. Consumer prices rose 0.4% vs 0.3%. The core rose 0.3% as expected. Weekly jobless claims were 263K vs 235K. Consumer sentiment was 55.4 vs 58. Mortgage interest rates finished the week worse by approximately 1/8 of a discount point.


LOOKING AHEAD

Economic
Indicator

Release
Date & Time

Consensus
Estimate


Analysis

Retail Sales

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8:30 am, et

Up 0.3%

Important. A measure of consumer demand. A smaller than expected increase may lead to lower mortgage rates.
Industrial Production

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9:15 am, et

Unchanged

Important. A measure of manufacturing sector strength. Weakness may lead to lower rates.
Capacity Utilization

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9:15 am, et

77.4% Important. A figure above 85% is viewed as inflationary. Weaker figure may lead to lower rates.
NAHB Housing Index

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 10:00 am, et

34 Moderately Important. A measure of single-family housing. Weakness may lead to lower mortgage rates.
Housing Starts

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 8:30 am, et

1.38M Important. A measure of housing sector strength. Weakness may lead to lower rates.
Fed Meeting Adjourns

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2:15 pm, et

25 basis point cut

Important. Fed rate cut expected. Volatility may surround the adjournment of this meeting.
Philadelphia Fed Survey

Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:00 am, et

25.5

Moderately important. A survey of business conditions in the Northeast. Weakness may lead to lower rates.
Leading Economic Indicators

Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:00 am, et

Unchanged

Important. An indication of future economic activity. Weakness may lead to lower rates.

Forward Guidance

A Fed rate cut is almost a certainty this week which generally puts downward pressure on rates over time. However, there are no guarantees that we will see rates improve Wednesday afternoon as the rate cut is likely already factored into trading. The Fed’s forward guidance will be the primary focus for the financial markets that afternoon and the days that follow. If the Fed signals additional rate cuts are likely before the end of the year, we could see mortgage interest rates improve. If they go back to a cautious wait and see approach, then uncertainty will dominate trading.

The Fed has a dual mandate in which they seek to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Their last meeting noted, “Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated.” A rewording of their position could signal the path to lower rates over the months ahead.

Stay cautious around the Fed meeting until they provide clarity on their future intentions.

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   MORTGAGE MARKET IN REVIEW Newsletter-September 15th, 2025