The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in March, below the expected gain of 0.1%. Lower gas prices at the pumps are to blame for the first decline in 10 months. When stripping out volatile food and energy, the Core CPI was in line at 0.2%. On a year-over-year basis, CPI rose 2.4% while Core CPI rose 2.1%, both 12-month highs. The Consumer Price Index measures the average price level paid by urban consumers (80% of the population) for a fixed basket of goods and services.
Heightened tensions over Syria between Russia and the U.S. are giving Bond prices a modest boost so far this morning. President Trump tweeted that Russia should get ready for a missile strike on Syria after the chemical attack over the weekend. Several Russian officials have threatened to retaliate if the U.S. strikes. U.S. Stocks are lower on the headlines.
Mortgage rates declined slightly in the latest week after climbing since the beginning of 2018. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with conforming loan balances ($453,100 or less) declined to 4.66% in the latest week from 4.69%. That rate carries at least an average 0.40 point added on top. Within the report it showed that both the refinance and purchase index fell 2%.
