Tag Archives: Unemployment

According to Interthinx's latest Mortgage Fraud Risk Report, the company's mortgage fraud risk index climbed to 159 in last year's fourth quarter, representing a 16 percent increase from Q3 2012 and 9 percent increase from Q4 2011. Reflecting the national trend, the number of "very high risk" metros spiked from 70 in Q3 to an unprecedented 125 this quarter, the report revealed. In addition, 26 states have at least one newly added "very high risk" metro.

After taking a hit from January's payroll tax hike, consumer confidence recovered somewhat in February, according to The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index. The overall index climbed more than 10 points in February, settling at 69.6 from January's 58.4. Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, said February's increase reflects the fading "shock effect" from January's fiscal cliff uncertainty and the expiration of payroll tax cuts.

Both leading economic indicators and lagging economic indicators for the U.S. economy rose in January, according to the Conference Board.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance jumped 20,000 to 362,000 for the week ending February 16, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected 359,000 initial unemployment claims. The spike in filings--the largest in three weeks--marked a reversal of what had been a downward trend in layoffs.

Deloitte's Consumer Spending Index declined for the third straight month in January, the company reported. The index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future spending, fell to 3.87 from a previous reading of 3.93. Patricia Buckley, director of economic policy and analysis at Deloitte and author of the monthly index, explained the decrease is "primarily due to slowing increases of new home prices," though gradual improvements in initial unemployment claims and real wages may reverse the downward trend in the future.

Bolstered by favorable seasonal adjustment factors, first-time claims for unemployment insurance dropped 27,000 to 341,000 for the week ending February 9, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected a much smaller decline to 360,000. Initial claims were under 350,000--a dividing line between a strong and weak labor market--for the third time in the last five weeks, hinting layoff activity has returned to normal.

Consumers are showing increased confidence in home sales and a greater sense of job security, according to the results of Fannie Mae's most recent National Housing Survey. January's findings show 41 percent of respondents believe home prices will go up in the next year, a decline of 2 percentage points from December's high. However, the share who believe prices will fall also dropped, returning to a survey low of 10 percent. The average 12-month home price change expectation in January was 2.4 percent.

After spiking,, fixed mortgage rates held their ground last week as the economy showed signs of stability, at least for the near future.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance continued to move sideways, dropping 5,000 to 366,000 for the week ending February 2, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week moving average for first time claims fell 2,250 to 350,000--the lowest level since March 2008, a strong signal of an improving labor market.

As more markets across the country improved, all 50 states--plus the District of Columbia--were able to receive representation in February's Improving Markets Index (IMI) released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and First American. Last year during this time, just 36 states were represented.