ECONOMIC UPDATES

Last Week in the News                                                                                          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------                        The index of leading economic indicators - designed to forecast economic activity in the next three to six months - rose 0.7% in February, following a revised 0.2% increase in January. The February reading was the highest level since June 2008.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits for the week ending March 17 fell by 5,000 to 348,000, the lowest reading since February 2008. Continuing claims for the week ending March 10 fell by 9,000 to 3.35 million.

The combined construction of new single-family homes and apartments in February fell 1.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 698,000 units, after an upwardly revised gain of 3.7% in January. The January figure was revised from 699,000 units to 706,000 units. Compared to a year ago, housing starts are up 34.7%. Applications for new building permits, seen as an indicator of future activity, rose 5.1% to an annual rate of 717,000 units.

Existing home sales fell 0.9% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.59 million units from an upwardly revised 4.63 million units in January. The inventory of unsold homes on the market increased 4.3% to 2.43 million, a 6.4-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 6-month supply in January.

New home sales fell 1.6% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 313,000 units from a downwardly revised rate of 318,000 units in January. The initial January reading was 321,000. The December rate was revised higher to 336,000 units, the highest level since the economic recovery began. On a year-over-year basis, new home sales are up 11.4%. At the current sales pace, there's a 5.8-month supply of new homes on the market.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted composite index of mortgage applications for the week ending March 16 fell 7.4%. Refinancing applications decreased 9.3%. Purchase volume fell 1%.

Upcoming on the economic calendar are reports on pending home sales on March 26 and the housing price index on March 27.

Provided by:
Judy Haller
Prospect Mortgage
3985 Prince William Co. Pkwy., Suite 104
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Office: (703) 590-7132