Last Week in Review: Smoke Signals Emerge
This past week, home loan rates touched the highest level in a decade as global bond yields were on the rise. Let’s discuss some potentially positive signals for those looking for a rate peak as well as what to watch for next week.
The rate of change or the speed at which home loan rates have moved higher is historic. It has also elevated uncertainty and fear that rates will continue to skyrocket higher.
This past week, a New York Fed survey of renters believed mortgage rates will reach 8.23%…in three years. A dire forecast for rates that could only be achieved IF the economy is strong enough to sustain or absorb that sort of increase. Seeing that the housing market has stalled, to a degree, with home loan rates at 5.00%, it’s probably highly unlikely we see rates move that high. This survey can be viewed as a potential contrarian indicator meaning…when so many people believe something will happen, the opposite generally happens.
Another potential contrarian indicator has emerged. U.S. bond outflows are surging. U.S. investors have sold or cashed in their mutual fund bond holdings at record levels in 2022. When retail investors or everyday people are all “fearful” and doing the same thing, like selling bonds, it often represents a sign the market is likely to turn, which in this case could mean a peak in rates could be upon us. Think about the psychology of everyone in the stock market with no fear – this is exactly the time when the stock market can turn lower. Hence, Buffet’s other quote ” Be fearful when others are greedy.”
Gas tank, Food or Stranger Things
Netflix reported its first subscriber loss in more than a decade, when Wall Street was expecting the firm was to add users. The major reason for the stunning decline in users was soaring food and energy costs. The additional burden to put gas in the tank or food on the table has forced many to give up the service. The breaking news from Netflix is giving us early signs that consumers are feeling the pinch.
This brings into question, can the Fed hike rates aggressively as they have been saying? The Fed is in a unique position, because even if they raise rates, that will not help lower oil or energy prices, which is the main cause of inflation at this time.
Federal Reserve Getting Its Housing Wish
Last year, in front of Congress, Fed Chair Jerome Powell was pressured to stop buying mortgage-backed securities (MBS), to remove the “froth” out of the housing market. After the sharp increase in rates since November, we are starting to see signs of “froth” coming out of housing.
Redfin reported that 13% of online home listings lowered their price. This as Black Knight reported that affordability, as measured by mortgage payment versus monthly income, hit a 15-year low.
For affordability to improve, we need to see home price gains slow and for rates to remain at or beneath current levels.
Bottom line: Interest rates remain on the rise and the words of central bankers around the globe last week have added to the uncertainty and volatility. If you are considering a mortgage, now is an ideal time to lock as the path of least resistance for rates remains higher even though a peak could be near.