Fixed Mortgage Rates in U.S. Nudge Lower in Late October

---

According to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the average fixed mortgage rate fell slightly in late October amid market expectations of no rate increase by the Federal Reserve.

Sean Becketti, chief economist of Freddie Mac said, "Treasury yields oscillated without a clear direction heading into the October FOMC meeting, as investors were confident there would be no rate increase. The 30-year mortgage rate was little changed, declining just 3 basis points to 3.76 percent this week. While the FOMC left rates unchanged at this meeting, they kept a December rate hike as an option causing Treasuries to sell off in the latter part of the day, after our survey closed."

"Recent housing reports have done little to add or detract from the possibility of a December rate increase. Existing home sales were strong, contrasting with disappointing new home sales."
 
Freddie Mac News Facts

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.76 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending October 29, 2015, down from last week when it averaged 3.79 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.98 percent. 

• 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.98 percent with an average 0.6 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.13 percent. 

• 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.89 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.94 percent.

• 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.54 percent this week with an average 0.2 point, down from 2.62 percent last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.43 percent.