Housing Numbers Down Ahead of Fed Rate Cut Today

Economic Overview - The housing market is cooling down due to high interest rates, which lead to elevated mortgage rates [1] - Housing Starts for August were reported at 1.307 million seasonally adjusted annualized units, marking a decrease from 1.429 million in July, the lowest since May [2] - Single-family homebuilding decreased by 7% month over month and 12% year over year, while multi-family units fell by 11% month over month but increased by 15% year over year [3] Mortgage Rates and Homebuilder Sentiment - As of mid-last month, 30-year fixed mortgage rates were around 6.5%, currently down to approximately 6.13%, which may lead to a rebound in housing starts [4] - Building Permits also declined to 1.312 million, indicating a softening in future housing starts [5] - Homebuilder sentiment dropped by 2 points, with affordability being a significant concern; Toll Brothers remains the only major homebuilder with a strong outlook [6] Federal Reserve Expectations - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time in 2025, with a potential 25 basis-point cut anticipated [7][8] - Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference will be crucial for insights on future rate cuts and the Fed's strategy moving forward [9] - There may be discussions regarding the Fed's asset runoff, particularly concerning mortgage-based securities, to support the housing market [10]