The National Federation of Independent Business reported on Tuesday its NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI) for May increased 0.4 points to a reading of 89.4. This marks the seventeenth consecutive month that the SBOI has been below the 49-year average reading of 98.
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US Monthly Median Asking Rents Decline Year-Over-Year in May
Redfin reported that US median asking rents fell 0.6% year-over-year to $1,995 in May, the largest annual decline since March 2020. That compares to a near-record increase of 16.5% a year ago.
US Foreclosures Up 7% Month-Over-Month and 14% Year-Over-Year in May
ATTOM released on Thursday its May US Foreclosure Market Report. The report shows 35,196 properties with foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions, or bank repossessions—in May. That is up 7% month-over-month.
US Consumer Credit Outstanding Grew in April, Latest G.19 Consumer Credit Report Shows
Consumer credit outstanding grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.7% in April. Revolving and nonrevolving credit grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 13.1% and 3.2%, respectively.
Citing Threat of Inflation, Bank of Canada Raises Its Benchmark Interest Rate to 4.75%
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday announced it was raising its benchmark interest rate to 4.75%, CBC reported. It is the first time that Canada’s central bank has raised its trend-setting interest rate since January.
Canada’s Employment Rate Declines Modestly in May; Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.2%
Overall employment in Canada was down slightly in May, declining by 17,000, or 0.1%. The report noted that employment growth has moderated in recent months, and monthly increases have averaged 33,000 from February to April.
US Housing Affordability Improved in Q1 but Still Trails Year-Over-Year Levels
According to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, substantial nominal wage gains (unadjusted for inflation) coupled with lower mortgage rates and home prices helped to boost housing affordability in 2023Q1.
Fixed Mortgage Rates Inch Lower in the Week Ending June 8th
Freddie Mac has released its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® for the week ending June 8th. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.71%, down from last week when it averaged 6.79%.
US Weekly Jobless Claims Increase in the Week Ending June 3rd
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 261,000 during the week ending on Saturday, June 3rd. This is an increase of 28,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 233,000.
Following Solid Gains in April, Fannie Mae’s Home Purchasing Sentiment Index® Declines in May
Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) decreased by 1.2 points in May to a reading of 65.6, as affordability constraints continue to influence consumers’ perceptions of homebuying and home-selling conditions.