While many useful indicators are set to be released this week, the previous week left us only with the Leading Economic Indicators, which showed signs of the economy slowing down in the future. Consumer Sentiment reports also indicated widespread dissatisfaction across all levels of income and education, largely due to the impacts of recent tariff decisions, which have been on hold.

We should expect next week to provide a clearer picture as decisions are made in the trade war between China and the United States. The PCE Prices, Non-farm Payrolls, Chicago Manufacturing PMI, Personal Income, and GDP estimates will offer more insight into the impact of the tariffs.

Concerns about inflation remain, but given the current stance on monetary policy, the Federal Reserve is much more likely not to react to inflation immediately, keeping its focus largely on the policies being set by the current administration.

Leading Economic Indicators

Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US declined by 0.7% in March 2025 to 100.5, after a decline of 0.2% (revised up from -0.3%) in February. The LEI also fell by 1.2% in the six-month period ending in March 2025, smaller rate of decline than its -2.3% contraction over the previous six months.

Consumer Sentiment

Consumer sentiment plunged 8% in April from the prior month, to a final reading of 52.2, the University of Michigan said in its latest survey released Friday. That was a slightly smaller decline than a preliminary reading from earlier this month, which didn’t capture people’s reaction to Trump’s 90-day tariff delay announced on April 9.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.09% for this week, with the current rate at 5.94%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.02% for this week, with the current rate at 6.81%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.11% for this week. Current rates at 6.25%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.11% for this week. Current rates at 6.27%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 220,000 compared to the expected claims of 220,000. The prior week landed at 216,000.

What’s Ahead

PCE Prices, Non-farm Payrolls, Chicago Manufacturing PMI, Personal Income, and GDP estimates are set to release next week. With other releases in the Global US Manufacturing PMI which historically isn’t a significant indicator but with a major shift in the dynamics of world trade, we can see major changes in those data release.

While the week had a significant absence of impactful data releases, there are still the notable U.S. retail figures numbers, as the turbulent tariff policies that have been announced have sent shockwaves across many industries. This time the U.S. retail sales have seen a significant jump as consumers try to get ahead of the tariff policies, although it is suspected that the subsequent data will show a significant curtailing of purchasing power by consumers. This restraint in the future is what has most analysts concerned about the future in addition to inflation rising as a result of the tariff policies.

U.S. Retail Sales

The numbers: Retail sales in the U.S. surged 1.4% in March—the biggest increase in more than two years—as shoppers sought to buy big-ticket items such as cars before Trump administration tariffs could raise prices.

The rise in sales surpassed Wall Street expectations, but it doesn’t mean the U.S. economy is trouble-free. The trade wars threaten to boost prices, fuel inflation and slow the economy in the months ahead if they persist.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.21% for this week, with the current rate at 6.03%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.21% for this week, with the current rate at 6.83%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.08% for this week. Current rates at 6.36%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.07% for this week. Current rates at 6.38%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 215,000 compared to the expected claims of 225,000. The prior week landed at 224,000.

What’s Ahead

Watching where crude oil is headed in the coming weeks will also be important to see how international trade is handling the recent tariff policies. In addition, the Consumer Sentiment report will give a better indication of how safe consumers feel in the current climate, along with the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book.

Last week’s inflation reports, both the CPI and PPI, came in significantly cooler than expected. However, this must be viewed in the context of the administration’s recent tariff policies. Rather than signaling a healthy reduction in inflation, the data points to signs of deflation—which can be just as damaging to the economy as high inflation. While the FOMC Minutes offered little insight regarding interest rate changes, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has made it clear that no action will be taken until more data becomes available. Finally, the latest consumer sentiment report dropped to its lowest level in three years, with inflation concerns reaching their highest point since 1981.

Consumer Price Index

Consumer prices fell in March for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but economists warn inflation could get worse if the U.S. retains higher tariffs on China and the rest of the world. The consumer-price index declined 0.1% last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said, aided by falling oil prices and lower airfares. It was the first drop since May 2020.

Producer Price Index

Cheaper oil has taken some pressure off on the inflation front, but it may only be temporary in the face of a major trade war between the U.S. and China. Wholesale prices in the U.S. fell 0.4% in March, dropping for the first time in 17 months, mimicking a similar report on consumer goods and services that showed retail-level inflation was muted last month.

Consumer Sentiment

The University of Michigan’s gauge of consumer sentiment fell to 50.8% in a preliminary April reading from 57.0% in the prior month.  It is the lowest level since June 2022. Sentiment has dropped for four straight months and is down 30% from December. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had expected an April reading of 54.6%.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw no change from last week, with the current rate at 5.82%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.02% for this week, with the current rate at 6.62%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.47% for this week. Current rates at 6.50%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.47% for this week. Current rates at 6.52%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 223,000 compared to the expected claims of 223,000. The prior week landed at 219,000.

What’s Ahead

Very light release week with low impact data in the form of Federal Reserve’s beige book, Consumer Sentiment, and Leading U.S. Economic Indicators.

The previous week has seen tremendous impacts with the Trump administration’s recently revealed tariff policies, sparking widespread concern about their broad economic effects. These concerns have already led to rapid contractions in multiple markets.

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, has stated he is very uncertain about any moves made by the Federal Reserve and wants to wait for additional information before making decisions.

Uncertainty is at an all-time high, without much relief—even in light of positive data from previous months. Without any clear direction, there is growing speculation that inflation will only increase from here. Meanwhile, employment data has already shown a rapid increase in unemployment forecasts.

U.S. Employment Report

The U.S. added a bigger-than-expected 228,000 jobs in March. Good news to be sure, but that was before President Trump unveiled norm-shattering tariffs on the rest of the world, the repercussions of which are yet to be felt on the labor market. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast an increase of 140,000 new jobs in March vs a revised 117,000 gain in February. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, moved up to 4.2% from 4.1%, matching the highest rate in five months.

ISM Manufacturing

According to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), tariffs are driving up business costs and dampening economic activity. U.S. manufacturers appear to have slipped back into a slump, facing higher input prices and weaker demand due to President Donald Trump’s new metal tariffs and pending duties on other imported goods. ISM’s manufacturing index fell to 49% in March, down from 50.3% the previous month—any reading below 50% indicates a contraction in the sector.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.07% with the current rate at 5.82%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.01% with the current rate at 6.64%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.15% for this week. Current rates at 6.03%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.15% for this week. Current rates at 6.05%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 219,000 compared to the expected claims of 228,000. The prior week landed at 225,000.

What’s Ahead

Following reports that the tariff news has disrupted market expectations, we should anticipate that both the CPI and PPI forecasts will come in higher than expected.

With the introduction of tariffs on Tuesday, there is significant uncertainty across all sectors regarding the potential outcome. While important data releases—including the PCE Index, Personal Income & Spending, and Consumer Sentiment for the quarter—have taken place, their impact is expected to be largely overshadowed by apprehension surrounding the widespread tariff decisions.

With the upcoming release of inflation reports, including the CPI and PPI this week, all eyes will be on these two key metrics. The focus remains on tariffs and their impact on the markets, as well as inflation, which is likely to be influenced by the new tariff policies.

PCI Index

A separate measure of prices known as the core rate rose a sharper 0.4% in February, a tick above Wall Street’s forecast. The increase in the core PCE in the past year climbed to 2.8% from 2.7%. The core rate omits food and energy prices, which often jump up and down in the short run. It’s seen as a better predictor of future inflation.

Consumer Spending

Consumer spending rose a modest 0.4% last month, the government said, and rebounded from a decline in January. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had projected a 0.5% gain. Household spending is the main engine of the U.S. economy, but it appears to have sputtered in early 2025.

Consumer Sentiment

The final reading of consumer sentiment in March fell to a 32-month low, as more Americans than at any time since the financial crisis think unemployment will rise in the year ahead. The second of two readings of the consumer-sentiment survey fell to 57.0 from an initial 57.9, the University of Michigan said Friday.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.06% with the current rate at 5.89%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.02% with the current rate at 6.65%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.03% for this week. Current rates at 6.18%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.03% for this week. Current rates at 6.20%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 224,000 compared to the expected claims of 226,000. The prior week landed at 225,000.

What’s Ahead

CPI and PPI are ahead next week as well as the tariffs, which are set to be in effect starting Tuesday.

The previous week had the Federal Reserve making their first rate decision since the Trump administration had taken office. With many uncertainties about the current direction of things, the Federal Reserve had decided there would not be any change necessary to the current rates. Stating that the current inflation and economic conditions have largely been a result of the Trump administration’s policies on tariffs. Chairman Powell has been strongly dovish at this point, stating they would need to “see how things actually work out.” There were a slew of other minor data releases but none were far reaching in their impact on the economy and current direction of things.

FOMC Rate Decision

Faced with pressing concerns over the impact tariffs will have on a slowing economy, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee kept its key borrowing rate targeted in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December. Markets had been pricing in virtually zero chance of a move at this week’s two-day policy meeting.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.03% with the current rate at 5.83%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.02% with the current rate at 6.67%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.13% for this week. Current rates at 6.15%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.13% for this week. Current rates at 6.17%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 223,000 compared to the expected claims of 225,000. The prior week landed at 221,000.

What’s Ahead

Next week should feature a slew of data releases, most notably the GDP Estimates, S&P Global US Manufacturing / Services PMI estimates, Consumer Confidence, Consumer Sentiment (Univ. of Michigan), and Personal Income & Spending.

The inflation data report released last week showed a surprising result—it was cooler than expected across the board. This has led to a much more positive outlook, even in light of recent events regarding the Trump administration. While consumer sentiment reports from the University of Michigan still showed more dissatisfaction than expected, they were accompanied by largely positive data across various releases. There are strong expectations that there will be no interest rate increases, with some potential for rate cuts this year.

Consumer Price Index

The consumer price index increased a mild 0.2% last month, the government said, breaking a string of elevated inflation readings since November. The rate of inflation in the past 12 months fell to 2.8% from 3.0% in January. It had slowed to as low as 2.4% early last fall before a rebound in inflation toward the end of 2024.

Producer Price Index

The flat reading in the producer-price index — helped by lower energy costs — came in under expectations. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast a 0.3% increase. The last time the producer-price index showed so little inflation was in July. The rate of wholesale inflation in the past 12 months, meanwhile, dropped to 3.2% from a one-year high of 3.7% in January.

Consumer Sentiment

The burst of optimism following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory has evaporated. A new survey shows that Americans are worried about rising inflation due to the president’s tariffs and are unsettled by the uncertainty in Washington. According to the University of Michigan, consumer sentiment fell to a 29-month low of 57.6 in March, down from 64.7 in the previous month.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.01% with the current rate at 5.80%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw an increase of 0.02% with the current rate at 6.65%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.11% for this week. Current rates at 6.28%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.10% for this week. Current rates at 6.30%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 220,000 compared to the expected claims of 225,000. The prior week landed at 220,000.

What’s Ahead

The FOMC is making it’s next rate decision in the upcoming week on Wednesday. There are a number of smaller data releases surrounding the rate decision, but largely all eyes are on the rate decision.

While the data releases were plentiful, many are made less significant in consideration of the current disruption with the administration and the oncoming inflation data reports with the CPI and PPI arriving next week. The largest and most noteworthy report this time is the Job Report numbers, which will help give a clearer idea on the state of the job market. With the mass federal layoffs, there is much uncertainty, but the labor market is still holding up in light of things. The most pressing data to be released is the predictions for GDP, which has shown to have shown a deflationary value. As long as the inflation data remains consistent then there is little chance the Federal Reserve will consider increasing the interest rates once again. The silver lining in all the reports is the Manufacturing PMI data is noting that the manufacturing sector is still showing strong growth.

Job Reports

The U.S. added a decent 151,000 new jobs in February, but the labor market could soften up in the months ahead as the effects of tariffs, federal spending cuts and mass layoffs of government workers percolate through the economy.

Manufacturing PMI

The seasonally adjusted S&P Global US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index recorded 52.7 in February, up from 51.2 in January. It was the second successive month that the index has pointed to an improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector, with the rate of growth the best since June 2022. Growth was underpinned by noticeable upturns in both production and new orders. There was some evidence that sector expansion was partially driven by advanced purchases ahead of likely price increases and possible supply disruption related to further tariff impositions in the coming months.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.15% with the current rate at 5.79%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.13% with the current rate at 6.63%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw an increase of 0.05% for this week. Current rates at 6.17%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw an increase of 0.05% for this week. Current rates at 6.20%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 221,000 compared to the expected claims of 235,000. The prior week landed at 242,000.

What’s Ahead

The major inflationary reports ahead this week with both Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index are expected to come in line with the previous quarters.

The PCE Index has aligned with expectations, and as the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, it eases the sense of urgency for policy action. GDP data has also indicated continued economic growth, though this is tempered by future forecasts predicting a potential economic contraction. This outlook is further reflected in the Consumer Confidence report, which has shown a significant decline since the change in administration. Uncertainty is evident across lending and broader markets, affecting all aspects of the economy.

PCE Index

The Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE index rose by 0.3% last month, according to government data released on Friday. This increase matched the forecasts of economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal. Year-over-year inflation edged down slightly to 2.5% from 2.6%, but it remains above the Fed’s 2% target.

GDP

An early look at the first quarter points to a somewhat similar rate of growth in the 2% to 2.5% range. However, a severe cold snap in January and a post-holiday lull in economic activity could weigh on GDP.

Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence, which surged to a post-election high after Donald Trump’s victory, has faded as the public adjusts to major shifts in U.S. economic policies, including trade and tariffs. In February, the Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index fell by 7.0 points to 98.3, an eight-month low.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.01% with the current rate at 5.94%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.09% with the current rate at 6.76%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.13% for this week. Current rates at 6.12%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.13% for this week. Current rates at 6.15%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 242,000 compared to the expected claims of 225,000. The prior week landed at 220,000.

What’s Ahead

This round of job data should be particularly insightful as the first quarter of the year comes into focus. Additionally, Manufacturing PMI and the U.S. trade deficit stand out as unusually strong data points following the recent change in administration.

The most impactful report released last week was the regular Consumer Sentiment reports, which have indicated the more recent concerns rising food costs have soured the view on the current state of the economy for the U.S. The talks between the Federal Reserve members have also slanted in a negative direction as they feel they still do not have a strong grip on inflation. With the Trump administration also shaking things up in the office with their views on Tariffs, the land lending and broader markets have seen a lot of turmoil and uncertainty about the future. There should be dampened expectations going forward across all markets.

Consumer Sentiment

Consumer sentiment sours as worries grow over the outlook for the U.S. economy. Confidence drops 10% from January to the lowest level since late 2023. The second of two readings of consumer sentiment in February slipped to 64.7 from 67.8 earlier in the month, the University of Michigan said Friday. It’s the lowest level since November 2023. Sentiment has fallen nearly 10% from January.

Primary Mortgage Market Survey Index

• 15-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.05% with the current rate at 6.04%
• 30-Yr FRM rates saw a decrease of -0.02% with the current rate at 6.85%

MND Rate Index

• 30-Yr FHA rates saw a decrease of -0.08% for this week. Current rates at 6.25%
• 30-Yr VA rates saw a decrease of -0.07% for this week. Current rates at 6.28%

Jobless Claims

Initial Claims were reported to be 219,000 compared to the expected claims of 215,000. The prior week landed at 214,000.

What’s Ahead

The PCE Index inflation report, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure for assessing inflation, will be released the following week. The overall outlook remains largely hawkish and pessimistic.