1) Purchase activity, after two prior weeks of strength, slowed in the November 12 week, down 5.0 percent according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinance activity fell 16.5 percent. MBA blamed the drops, especially for refinancing, to a surge in rates including an 18 basis point jump for 30-year loans to an average 4.46 percent. The Mortgage Bankers' Association compiles various mortgage loan indexes. The purchase applications index measures applications at mortgage lenders. This is a leading indicator for single-family home sales and housing construction 2)Homebuilders appear to be more pessimistic about the housing sector as housing starts dropped significantly in October. Housing starts in October fell 11.7 percent, following a downwardly revised 4.2 percent decline the month before (previously up 0.3 percent). The October annualized pace of 0. 519 million units was notably lower than analysts' forecast for 0.590 million units and is down 1.9 percent on a year-ago basis. The dip in October was led by a monthly 43.5 percent plunge in multifamily starts, following a 19.2 percent decrease in September. The single-family component slipped 1.1 percent after edging up 2.1 percent the prior month. By region, the decrease in starts was led by a 30.5 percent drop in the West with the South down 13.4 percent. The Northeast and Midwest posted gains of 12.9 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively. But looking ahead, the outlook is not so negative but is still soft. Permits edged up in October, rising 0.2 percent after declining 4.2 percent in September. Overall permits came in at an annualized rate of 0.550 million units and are down 4.5 percent on a year-ago basis. The rebound was led by the single family component which was up 0.5 percent while multifamily permits eased 0.7 percent. Due to continued concern over excessive supply and potential additions from pending foreclosures, homebuilders remain extremely cautious about new construction with starts remaining new record lows.
【在 n*********e 的大作中提到】 : 1) Purchase activity, after two prior weeks of strength, slowed in the : November 12 week, down 5.0 percent according to the Mortgage Bankers : Association. Refinance activity fell 16.5 percent. MBA blamed the drops, : especially for refinancing, to a surge in rates including an 18 basis point : jump for 30-year loans to an average 4.46 percent. : The Mortgage Bankers' Association compiles various mortgage loan indexes. : The purchase applications index measures applications at mortgage lenders. : This is a leading indicator for single-family home sales and housing : construction : 2)Homebuilders appear to be more pessimistic about the housing sector as