The Quarter in Brief
As a new quarter begins, we look back on an eventful second quarter for households and investors – a quarter in which the economy took a mighty hit, while the stock market soared. Complying with stay-at-home orders, Americans abruptly cut back on discretionary spending, traveling, and commuting, resulting in a dire scenario for some industries. Unemployment rose as business revenue declined. Fundamental economic indicators saw big swings, and on one trading day, oil prices actually collapsed into negative territory. Homes became easier to finance; though, transactions declined. The Federal Reserve made proactive moves to try and foster a bit more economic stability. While Main Street quieted, Wall Street rallied, sensing that an economic rebound might be starting. The Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 19.95% for the quarter.
* Source This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc. To be included in our Weekly Economic Update fill out information on the Contact US page.
Real Estate
Mortgages grew cheaper as declining inflation pressure influenced long-term interest rates. The average interest on a 30-year, fixed-rate home loan fell to a historic low of 3.13%, as reported in Freddie Mac’s June 18 Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That was where it remained in the last PMMS of the quarter, released on June 25. The average interest rate on the 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage also trended downward, landing at 2.59% in the June 25 PMMS.
30-year, and 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages are conventional home loans generally featuring a limit of $510,400 ($765,600 in high-cost areas) that meet the lending requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but they are not mortgages guaranteed or insured by any government agency. Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is required for any conventional loan with less than a 20% down payment.
* Source This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc. To be included in our Weekly Economic Update fill out information on the Contact US page.
World Economic Health
During April, the International Monetary Fund forecast the global economy to shrink by 3.0% in 2020. In June, it estimated the economic damage would be worse. The IMF’s chief economist, Gita Gopinath, termed the coronavirus pandemic a crisis “unlike anything the world has seen before,” one that could send both developed and emerging economies simultaneously into recession for the first time since the 1930s. Gopinath did state that “pent-up consumer demand” for goods and services might hasten a global rebound.
* Source This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc. To be included in our Weekly Economic Update fill out information on the Contact US page.