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Mid-Day Recap: Labor Reports Send Markets into Freefall - 02-JUL-09 |
The pace of losses in the labor market had been moderating for four months but in June nearly half a million jobs vanished from the economy, in contract to widespread expectations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said 467,000 jobs were lost, pushing the unemployment rate to 9.5%, the highest in 26 years.
???The heavy loss of jobs in June is a warning that the road to recovery will be bumpy, but doesn't yet indicate that we have gone off the track??? . . . ...(read more)
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The Day Ahead: Markets Hesitant Ahead of Employment Data - 02-JUL-09 |
Markets are edging lower ahead of the 8:30 release of Nonfarm Payrolls. A lot is hanging on this report as many forecasts for the economy are dependent on the direction of the labor market. Many look for signs of stabilization after last month???s downside surprise, but signs of a recovery have been far from evident in the weekly Jobless Claims numbers or the ADP private employment report. The consensus looks for 325,000 jobs to have vanished this month, with forecasts ranging between 225,000 and 435,00...(read more)
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HARP Guidelines Allow for 125% LTV. Originators Still Skeptical - 01-JUL-09 |
The Home Affordable Refinance Program was designed to assist borrowers who have demonstrated an acceptable payment history on their existing Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac owned mortgage loan. Unfortunately due to rising unemployment levels and increasing foreclosure rates, demand for housing has weakened and property values have continued to decline, which has blocked many borrowers from utilizing HARP....(read more)
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Mortgage Performance: Fighting Rising Rate of Foreclosures with Loan Modifications - 01-JUL-09 |
A joint report from the OCC and OTS, which includes 64% of all outstanding mortgages, shows that instances of delinquency continued to increase in the second quarter. Particularly of note is the increasing growth rate of delinquencies among loans backed...(read more)
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Mixed Data for Real Estate, ISM Index Improves - 01-JUL-09 |
Three data releases at 10:00 failed to sing in tune with each other. A key indicator of output showed some improvement but is still contracting overall, and while contracts for home purchases are on the rise, spending on the construction of new homes...(read more)
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