For information on highlighted terms in the commentary, click here. The volatility continues. After reassurance that the Fed would do what it takes to keep the economy in growth mode stocks soared on Friday. They came crashing back down yesterday after President Obama failed to convince investors that there was a strong plan moving forward. [...]

“We are being told that our central bank is going to do everything in its power, including taking extraordinary measures if necessary,” said

For information on highlighted terms in the commentary, click here. MBS took a bit of hit on Friday and stabilized yesterday. The big news of the day is in housing data . Still feeling the effects of “stimulus withdrawal” after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, existing home sales fell to the worst [...]

“The awful jobs numbers kicked everyone in the teeth,” MarketWatch, “Investors are grappling with the growing disconnect between strong corporate earnings and a faltering U.S. economy. Currently, 75% of the 484 companies in the S&P 500 that have reported have beaten Wall Street expectations, compared with a quarterly average of 62%.” Investors saw good earnings [...]

For information on highlighted terms in the commentary, click here. Stocks are back in negative territory after weak economic news in unemployment and manufacturing. After this mornings jobless claims report jumped up, we now have close to 10 million unemployed workers in the country. Also, a regional report from the Philadelphia Fed showed that manufacturing [...]

For information on highlighted terms in the commentary, click here. MBS lost steam on Friday and dropped again yesterday, ending an impressive run of gains. Today, the market is flat and there is not much action in stocks either. There is no major news, economic or legislative, due out so we expect a calm day. [...]

“Jobs are the only tonic to calm a skittish national mind-set,” stated “the pace of economic recovery is likely to be more modest in the near term than had been anticipated.” The central bank said it will buy U.S. Treasuries with proceeds from mortgage holdings to keep money and credit flowing for a recovery. Initial [...]

Since the end of the Great Depression, home ownership has been subsidized and encouraged by the federal government. The debate on the future of this effort begins on Tuesday when the Obama administration convenes the conference on the U.S. housing finance system. The conversation will center on what to do with mortgage giants Fannie Mae [...]

For information on highlighted terms in the commentary, click here. Today’s news could be titled “Here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into”. The part of Oliver Hardy will be played by investors and the part of Stan Laurel will be played by the Federal Government. Yesterday’s Fed statement has put the markets back into [...]

FHA insured loan criteria is about to get a little tighter, but it could have been worse. At a time when a housing recovery is needed, it seems odd to make it tougher to qualify, but that will be the result of Congress recently passing HR 5981. This new law puts the authority to changes [...]