Major economic events made this a volatile week. Wednesday’s Fed meeting was strongly positive for mortgage rates, while Friday’s Employment report was modestly negative. The net result was a decline in rates for the week.

As expected, the Fed held the federal funds rate steady, but the tone of its statement was more dovish (in favor of looser monetary policy) than expected. In particular, the Fed now will be “patient” in deciding if additional rate …

There were no significant surprises in the major economic data or in the news from the Fed this week, and mortgage rates ended with little change.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a widely followed monthly inflation report that measures the price change for goods and services. Most investors look at core CPI, which excludes the volatile food and energy components, to provide a clearer indication of the underlying trend.

The latest reading showed that core inflation held …

Stronger than expected labor market data was the primary influence on mortgage rates this week. The stock market remained volatile and posted gains for the week. Mortgage rates ended a little higher.

Friday’s heavily watched Employment report showed that well above average improvement in the labor market continued for yet another month. Against a consensus forecast of 190,000, the economy added 250,000 jobs in October. The job growth was spread across many sectors of …

The primary influence on mortgage rates this week was the Fed minutes, which were considered to be modestly negative. The major economic data released this week was generally weaker than expected, but its impact was minor, and mortgage rates ended a little higher.

The minutes from the September 26 Fed meeting released on Wednesday contained no major surprises, but investors viewed them as slightly more hawkish (meaning in favor of tighter monetary policy) than expected. …