Mark Zandi, Chief Economist with Moody's Analytics, recently spoke with MReport about the need for GSE reform and about the proposed creation of a corporation to replace the GSEs.
Read More »ADP: Private Payrolls Up by 241K in December
December was the fourth consecutive month and the eighth month out of the last nine in which more than 200,000 jobs were added nationwide. The highest total of jobs added during any one month in 2014 was 297,000 in June. The year began with just 121,000 jobs added in January.
Read More »Economy Adds 192K Jobs in March; Unemployment Steady at 6.7%
The Department of Labor reported 192,000 new jobs in March, down slightly from February’s revised growth of 197,000 (from 175,000 originally reported). January’s employment growth was also revised, receiving a bump up to 144,000 from 129,000 reported last month. Despite last month’s apparent strength, the overall unemployment rate stubbornly stayed at 6.7 percent.
Read More »Tight Credit May Cinch Further as Government Agencies Scale Back
Mortgage lending remains tight compared to historical norms, and lending could tighten even further as the government takes steps to lessen its role in the market.
Read More »Analyst: Bubble Risk Minimal, Economy Safe from Impact
With headlines announcing rapid gains in home prices--some even detailing double-digit gains--Moody's Analytics says "there is little wonder that many fear a new housing bubble is developing despite the hard lessons of the Great Recession." However, Celia Chen, senior director of economic research at Moody's, dispenses these fears in her article, "Popping Housing Bubble Fears," published in the firm's most recent report. Even if prices do decline, Chen says the result would be "less damaging to the broader economy" than the market burst in 2008.
Read More »Analysts: Labor Shortage Biggest Hurdle for Homebuilders
Though residential construction "is keeping the economy on an expansionary path," Moody's Analytics suggests that homebuilders are having a tough time shouldering the burden of growth on their own.
Read More »Commercial Real Estate Prices Edge Up in February
Commercial real estate (CRE) prices ticked up slightly in February, according to the Commercial Property Price Indices (CPPI) released by Moody's Analytics and RCA.
Read More »NAHB: Housing Construction on Track for Growth in Coming Years
In a webinar hosted by the NAHB, economists discussed the housing recovery, what's keeping it going, and what may throw it off course.
Read More »Moody’s Predicts Bright Days Ahead for Homebuilders
Despite some heavy risks hanging over the industry, Moody's is projecting a positive future for the nation's homebuilders, the agency revealed.
Read More »Report from Equifax, Moody’s Shows Uptick in Originations
Recently released findings from Equifax's March National Consumer Credit Trends Report and CreditForecast.com revealed that originations are on the uptick, with notable increases in the sub-prime segment across all lending sectors. The survey, which evaluated activity for credit cards, auto finance, consumer finance, and student loans, showed that home financing balances fell to $8.7 billion during February. Total consumer debt in the U.S. stood at $11 trillion for February, representing an 11 percent drop since highs seen in the fourth-quarter of 2008.
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