Learning and Finance

Todays Low Mortgage Interest Rates for 30 year and 15 year fixed Home Loan Prompts Positive Housing Sector Activity; Freddie Mac Data

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:48:15 +0000

Housing Sector Activity Remain Strong and Economic Recovery Moves Forward in the U.S.:
The U.S. stock market gains have been consistent in the last several weeks. Gains have been documented in the stock market over the previous four trading weeks.

The housing market has been a consistent force during this time. Another positive sign from the housing market posted via the recent existing home sales report. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales notched higher in April by .6 percent. Home improvement companies like Lowes and Home Depot are also benefiting with increased profits as home sales rise.
Existing home sales reached their highest level last month in over three years and sales levels are approximately 10 percent higher right now than they were one year ago. Home prices are one the rise too. Analysts contend that a declining unemployment rate, paired with a continuation of low mortgage interest rates, spurs on the positive activity.
Mortgage interest rate Review:
Freddie Mac reports that Mortgage interest rates have inched higher during the month of May but still remain at relative lows. According to Freddie Mac market survey, the average interest rate for the standard 30 year fixed plan posts at 3.51 percent and the interest rate for the 15 year fixed rate mortgage plan posts at 2.69 percent.

Stephen Johnson

Today’s Gold price per ounce and Silver price per ounce, Current Spot gold per gram spot silver rates

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:03:38 +0000

Gold price per ounce and silver price per ounce news review today May 23, 2013 open:
It was a mixed day in the U.S. marketplace last session. Stock momentum was initially strong and precious metal gold and silver prices were initially lower.
Stocks finished lower however and gold contract and silver contracts finished with floor prices on opposite sides of break-even. Despite the negative stock market close in the U.S. and the continued monetary stimulus needs in the U.S., precious metal gold price per ounce tracked lower and closed the day in the red.
Gold price and silver price contract close review today May 23, 2013:

June contract gold price finished the last session red and July contract silver price closed higher. Gold price per ounce dropped lower by .74 percent at 1,367.40 and silver price per ounce increased by .08 percent to close at 22.47.

Spot gold per gram and spot silver per ounce price review today May 23, 2013:
Spot gold per gram and spot silver per ounce price trend were negative prior to opening bell today. Spot gold per gram price was lower at 43.92 and spot silver per ounce price was lower at 22.14 prior to opening bell today.

Camillo Zucari

Today’s Stock Market Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Index Close and Economic News Review Today; Target and Staples Data Down

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:34 +0000

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq and S&P 500 Stock Index Trends and Market Session News:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq and S&P 500 moved higher for a second consecutive session yesterday, but only for a portion of the session.

Positively skewed economic data paired with comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to jolt investor confidence during the initial half of the trading session.
Home sales rose higher according to the National Association of Realtors and Chairman Bernanke promised to leave rates near all time lows and continue stimulus action. According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales continued to climb the ladder during the month of April. The NAR reported that April home sales notched higher by .6 percent.
Investors felt the rush of relief when Benjamin Bernanke shared that an early reduction of monetary stimulus action in the U.S. could negatively impact the U.S. economic recovery process. Stocks jolted higher early, but the positive trending soon dissipated and stocks approached the last session in negative territory to close. Investors were initially relieved that Bernanke relayed a continued commitment to the current bond buying program, but concerns about future stimulus drawbacks ultimately pulled on stock composites. Some corporate earnings weighed down indices as well. Target reported weaker than expected earnings and profits were also down for Staples.

Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Index Close Review:
The S&P 500 closed the last session lower by .83 percent at 1,655.35. The Nasdaq was lower by 1.11 percent to close at 3,463.30 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell lower by .52 percent to close at 15,307.17.

Frank Matto

Today’s Gold price per ounce and Spot gold price per gram, spot silver price per ounce Precious metal News May 22, 2013

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:15 +0000

Today’s Gold price per ounce and silver price per ounce market news review mid-day May 22, 2013:
Gold prices and silver prices were have been pressured recently and closed in negative territory once again during the last full trading session.

Gold contract price dropped down to 1,377.60 per troy ounce last session and silver contract price fell lower to 22.46 per troy ounce as of last session close. Positive market trending in the U.S. has diminished precious metal safe haven appeal recently.
Today, investors anxiously awaited comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on U.S. stimulus planning. Shortening the current bond buying program could further weigh on precious metal gold and silver price trends. Bernanke though reported that an early exit from the current stimulus pace could derail the U.S. economic recovery process. Stocks shot higher on the news and precious metal gold and silver price trends were mixed.

Today’s Gold price per ounce and silver price per ounce contract review May 22, 2013:
July contract silver price was higher by .73 percent at an electronic post of 22.62 per troy ounce at mid-day. June contract gold price was lower by .27 percent at an electronic post of 1,373.90 per troy ounce at mid-day today.

Today’s Spot gold per gram and spot silver per ounce price trend review mid-day May 22, 2013:
Spot silver was tracking higher at 22.59 per ounce as of the mid-day mark today. Spot gold per gram price was lower at 44.20 as of mid-day today.

Camillo Zucari

Stock Pop; Today’s DJIA Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market mid-day News May 22, 2013; Bernanke and Home Sales

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:21:15 +0000

Stock Market Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 News Trend Review May 22, 2013 mid-day:
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq and S&P 500 were tracking through positive territory prior to opening bell this morning just hours after the primary stock composites in the U.S. finished the last session with advancements.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closed at relative highs as stocks rebounded after opening the week with drawbacks. Some began to feel more optimistic about stimulus spending in the U.S. last session and this helped to push stock composites higher. Today, investors anxiously awaited comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
The big question everyone wants answered is if the U.S. government will continue to inject stimulus funds, via a continuation of the current bond buying program, into the financial framework supporting the U.S. economic recovery process. Stock trends jumped higher today as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the drawing back the current stimulus program could potentially derail the economic recovery process in the U.S. This news was well received and stocks gained momentum. In economic news, the NAR reported that Home Sales were up in April which adds to the recently positive data stemming from the housing market.

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market News Review mid-day May 22, 2013:
As the trading session approached mid-day, all three stock composites were posting in positive territory. The Nasdaq was higher by .46 percent at 3,518.35 at mid-day. The S&P 500 was higher by .60 percent at 1,679.24 at mid-day and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by .62 percent at 15,483.20 as of the mid-day mark today.

Frank Matto

Today’s Current mortgage interest rates 30 and 15 year fixed Near Record Lows; Housing Recovery Continues and Low Rates a Catalyst

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:34:14 +0000

U.S. Economic Recovery and Housing Recovery News Review May 22, 2013:
Home prices are on the rise, foreclosures are down and the unemployment rate across the U.S. continues to drop lower. As the financial marketplace improves in the U.S. and more and more Americans find themselves in better financial standing, positive housing market activity builds momentum.
Between February of last year and February of this year, home prices rebounded by over 9 percent. The improving home price trend pairs with low mortgage rate trends to motivate buyers in the marketplace right now. In associated news, Home Depot shares shot higher this week as the home improvement leader recently reported profits which were much better than anticipated. CEO, Frank Blake, reported the Home Depot continues to benefit from the positive housing recovery process happening across the nation right now. Home Depot was a top performing component on the Dow Jones Industrial Average last session.
An improving economy and still low mortgage interest rates should continue to support the U.S. housing sector in the short term.
Mortgage Interest Rates Remain Near All time lows:
According to Freddie Mac, the standard 30 year mortgage plan interest rate is down to 3.5 percent. Freddie Mac also reports that the 15 year home loan plan posts at 2.69 percent at this time.

Stephen Johnson

Today’s Gold price per ounce Spot gold price per gram and spot silver price per ounce Close review

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:45:50 +0000

Gold price per ounce and Silver price per ounce contract trend review May 22, 2013 open news:
Gold prices and silver prices were pressured lower again during the last full trading session.

Stock composites in the U.S. rose higher and the uptick in stock attention was detrimental for precious metal price trends. The Dow and S&P 500 closed at record highs but precious metal gold and silver contracts finished the last trading session on the negative side of break-even.

Safe haven appeal was minimized due to the improving stock market trends.
Gold contract and silver contract price per ounce close review today:
June contract gold price tracked lower last session by .47 percent and finished the day at 1,377.60 per troy ounce. July contract silver finished the last full session red by .56 percent to close at 22.46 per troy ounce.

Spot gold per gram and spot silver per ounce price trend review May 22, 2013:
After last session close, spot gold and spot silver price trends posted lower. Spot gold per gram price posted down at 44.26 and spot silver per ounce price was lower at 22.46.

Camillo Zucari

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market News Review; Dow Top Gainers MRK, HD, AXP, JPM Google Finance Quotes

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:18:30 +0000

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market News Review May 22, 2013:

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average review is a positive one. The DJIA, as well as the Nasdaq and the SP 500 indices, moved higher during the last full trading session and closed in positive territory across the board. One day after tracking lower, the primary U.S. stock composites rebounded for the positive close.
Todays Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Index Close Review:
The Nasdaq finished the last trading session higher by .16 percent at 3,502.12. The S&P 500 finished the last full trading session higher by .17 percent to close at 1,669.16 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the last session higher by .34 percent to close at 15,387.58.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, as well as the S&P 500, closed at new all time highs.
Economic news has been very light so far this week and so stocks have taken direction from corporate data. Home improvement leader Home Depot posted positive profit data pushing stocks higher.
Other Dow leaders included Merck & Co., JPMorgan Chase and American Express.
MRK finished the last session higher by 4.69 percent to close at 47.33 according to Google Finance quotes. Home Depot (HD) moved higher by 2.54 percent to close at 78.71. JPM finished up by 1.4 percent and closed at 53.02 and American Express (AXP) stock price increased by .95 percent to close at 75.11 according to Google Finance stock quotes.

Frank Matto

Todays Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, Nasdaq, S&P 500 move Near Record Highs; Today’s Stock Market News Review May 21, 2013 approaching close

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:57:34 +0000

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market News Review Approaching Close May 21, 2013:
Despite the weaker start to the trading session early this morning, the primary stock composites tracked higher and approached close on the positive side of break-even.
Little economic news was scheduled to start the week so investors found direction via corporate data and comments from New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley.
Dudley commented that the Feds need to reconsider changes to the current stimulus plan. Some speculated that an early stimulus plan exit may be pushed off. These comments came just one day before Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is scheduled to talk on the future plan and outlook for the U.S. economy. Stock increases were also bolstered today by positively skewed data stemming from Home Depot. Home Depot reported quarterly increases in revenue. Shares for the company moved higher as close approached.

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Stock Market Index review today May 21, 2013 Approaching Close:
Just minutes before official close today, all three primary stock composites in the U.S. were tracking in positive territory. The Nasdaq was higher by .17 percent at 3,502.49. The S&P 500 was higher by .19 percent at 1,669.42 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was higher by .33 percent at 15,386.34 just prior to official close today.

Frank Matto

Today’s 30 Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rates 15 Year Home Loan Data; Home Prices mix with Current Low mortgage rates

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:00:14 +0000

Home prices mix with Current Mortgage Interest Rates to prompt activity in U.S. housing sector:
Home prices over the last year have increased significantly in the U.S. according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home price index. Between February of 2012 and February of 2013, home prices rose higher by approximately 9.3 percent according to the index.

The rise over this time frame represents the biggest 12 month increase in over six years. The general economic recovery process continues to move forward in the U.S. and the positive housing sector trends have been a supportive element during this process.
Rising home prices and near all-time low mortgage interest rates have mixed perfectly to spur many sidelined Americans into the marketplace of home buying. As the economy recovers and unemployment rates fall, more Americans are in position to take advantage of the record low mortgage interest rates. The threat of rising home prices adds additional incentive for potential home buyers to settle on home loan terms as soon as possible. Mortgage interest rates remain at relative lows according to Freddie Mac.
Current Mortgage Interest rate data via Freddie Mac reveals home loan rates remain near record levels:
Freddie Mac reports that the interest rate on the standard 30 year fixed mortgage plan posts at 3.51 percent at this time. The average interest rate for the standard 15 year fixed rate plan posts at 2.69 percent at this time.

Stephen Johnson