With so little in the way of data releases following the previous week’s FOMC Rate Decision, we’re left with a small release schedule with Consumer Credit and U.S. Trade Deficit rounding up the reports. While relatively light indicators of the current health of the economy, they are still useful for determining more impactful trends in the future. Next week, the inflation data reports with the CPI and PPI are the ones to look out for. This time, these are the ones that will largely determine whether we see rate cuts this year, and lending partners have already been lowering rates in anticipation.

U.S. Trade Deficit

The trade deficit fell by 2.5% in June and receded from a 19-month high, owing to higher exports of aircraft and U.S.-produced oil and gas. The deficit dropped to $73.1 billion in June from $75.0 billion in May, government data showed.

Consumer Credit

Consumers increased the amount of credit they used in June at a slower rate, in a sign of rising financial stress on U.S. households. Consumer credit rose by a modest $8.9 billion in June, Federal Reserve data showed. Economists had expected a $9.7 billion increase, according to a Wall Street Journal forecast.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates are seeing a decrease by -0.36% with the current rate at 5.63%
• 30-Yr FRM rates are seeing a decrease by -0.26% with the current rate at 6.47%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates are seeing a -0.01% decrease for this week. Current rates at 6.09%
• 30-Yr VA rates are seeing a -0.02% decrease for this week. Current rates at 6.10%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 233,000 compared to the expected claims of 240,000. The prior week landed at 250,000.

What’s Ahead

As we head towards the last quarter of the year, next week will unveil one of the most important inflation data reports of the year. The Federal Reserve has kept a tight lip on whether it intends to cut rates this year, but they have repeatedly said it was predicted based on inflation data. With the last two releases showing favorable results in achieving their goal, it has fueled speculation that rate cuts are on the horizon.