US mortgage rates rise for first time in a month, denting demand
US MORTGAGE rates increased for the first time in a month, denting demand for home-buying and refinancing.
The contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage increased four basis points during the week ended May 24 to 7.05 per cent, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released on Wednesday (May 29).
That dragged down a gauge of refinancing by more than 13 per cent, while purchasing activity fell to the lowest level in three months.
Mortgage rates move in tandem with Treasury yields, which rose last week as economic data showed strength in US business activity and a tight labour market.
That prompted traders to push back their expected timing for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts until the end of this year.
The MBA survey, which has been conducted weekly since 1990, uses responses from mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts.
SEE ALSO
The data cover more than 75 per cent of all retail residential mortgage applications in the US. BLOOMBERG
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
