Data

Builder confidence surged eight points in June to 52, its highest reading since March 2006, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported Monday. It was the first positive (above 50) reading for the association├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós Housing Market Index (HMI) since April 2006. Two of the three components of the index--builder assessment of current sales and of sales six months in the future--were also positive. The current sales index rose eight points to 56, and the future sales index jumped nine points to 61.

While experts at Capital Economics don't believe the recent rise in mortgage rates will be enough to derail the recovery entirely, it does bring some difficulties with it.

In Atlanta, Equity Loans LLC announced it has expanded into the wholesale market and appointed an SVP of sales to support growth.

According to this month's first reading, the Consumer Sentiment Index has a value of 82.7, a turnaround from the 84.5 reading in May. An analysis from economist Amna Asaf at Capital Economics pointed to the "modest rebound in gas prices and the latest wobble in equity prices" as cause for the dip. However, Asaf noted the drop "reversed only part of the sharp gain of May." The Current Economic Conditions Index also declined, falling to 92.1. Meanwhile, the Expectations Index climbed to 76.7, a seven-month high.

Aklero Risk Analytics Inc. and NYLX have merged to form LoanLogics, according to a release from the new company. The merged company has 450 clients and more than 20,000 users and offers proven technology, compliance and risk expertise, and strong industry leadership to improve the transparency and reliability of loan assets through the life of the loan.

Mortgage Master, one of the nation's largest privately owned mortgage companies, announced the opening of a new retail branch location to serve Connecticut's Greater Hartford area.

While fiscal headwinds have held back economic growth, Fannie Mae maintains in its newest outlook that the recovery should pick up the pace in the year's second half.

According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.98 percent (0.7 point) for the week ending June 13, up from 3.91 percent last week.

Driven by stronger auto sales but held back by falling gasoline sales, total retail sales increased 0.6 percent in May, the Census Bureau reported Thursday. Excluding auto sales, retail activity increased 0.3 percent in May compared with April, when it was essentially flat.

The overall number of listings on Zillow was down 12.2 percent year-over-year at the start of June, an improvement from the 17.5 percent shortfall recorded in January.