The September CPI inflation report was released today. The readings for both the general index and the "core" index came in at a year-over-year increase of 3%. Per the WSJ: "Inflation edges up, but less than expected...The data gives the Fed a clear path for widely expected rate cuts heading into its remaining meeting this year."
Markets were happy: As of mid-day today, EST, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both hit new all-time highs.
The weekly average 30-year conforming mortgage interest rate, published yesterday by Freddie Mac, was the lowest in over a year. (Today's daily average rate, published by Mortgage News Daily, also came in at 6.19%.)
Per NAR's data published yesterday, the number of home sales in September 2025 was up over 8% from September 2024. Our brand new National Market Insights Report in its extended flipbook version - which looks at national data from a wide variety of statistics and indicators at different angles - can be accessed here. The link to the customizable email newsletter version will be sent out to agents soon.
The VIX Volatility Index jumped earlier this month when the President threatened 100% tariffs against China, but markets have become relatively blasé about policy decisions that earlier this year would have caused panic, and the Index quickly dropped back down.