Central banks dominated the movement in mortgage rates in a positive way this week. Stronger than expected economic data and trade news had much less impact, and mortgage rates ended at the lowest levels in more than two years.

Monday, the European Central Bank (ECB) unexpectedly indicated that it might provide additional stimulus measures as soon as next month, which caused a decline in global bond yields, including U.S. mortgage rates. It was unusual to see news of this …

Increased trade tensions between the U.S. and China were modestly positive for mortgage rates and negative for stocks this week, while the economic data and the Fed minutes had little impact. As a result, rates declined a bit and ended at the lowest levels in over a year.

The U.S. and China appeared to take a couple of steps backward in the trade negotiations this week, and this increased the likelihood that both countries will impose additional tariffs and other penalties …

This week was packed with major economic news highlighted by Wednesday’s Fed meeting and Friday’s Employment report. The result was a lot of volatility, but the various influences were offsetting, and mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged.

As expected, the Fed made no change to the federal funds rate. The statement released after the meeting noted “solid” gains in recent economic activity and job gains, but it also explicitly acknowledged …

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 …