Fixed Rate Mortgages in U.S. Move Higher, Third Consecutive Weekly Increase

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Based on Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), showed fixed rate mortgages followed long-term Treasury yields higher. This marks the third straight week of fixed mortgage rates moving higher.

Freddie Mac's chief economist said, "The latest economic indicators point toward low inflation but gradually stronger economic activity which placed further upward pressure on long-term Treasury yields and, in turn, fixed mortgage rates. For example, inflation remains in check with 12-month growth in the core consumer price index falling for a second month to 2.1 percent in July. At the same time, industrial production rose 0.6 percent in July compared to a 0.1 percent increase in June and retail sales jumped 0.8 percent in July from a 0.7 percent decline in June."

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.62 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending August 16, 2012, up from last week when it averaged 3.59 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.15 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 2.88 percent with an average 0.6 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.84 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.36 percent.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.76 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.77 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.08 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.69 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.65 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.86 percent.