Pending home sales increased 2.2% in November 2024 from the prior month, the National Association of Realtors said this week. The pending home sales index—a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings—increased to 79. Year over year, pending transactions improved 6.9%.
While some news outlets have mistakenly announced that President Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a “federal holiday," that is not what he has done. Banks will and should remain open.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was reelected House speaker after receiving 218 votes. Johnson was first elected speaker in 2023.
The recent widening of speculative spreads may indicate risk aversion creeping back into investor outlooks.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has been named chair of the Senate Banking Committee, with several new faces also joining the committee.
U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for the ninth consecutive month in December 2024, the Institute for Supply Management said. ISM's manufacturing index was 49.3%.
ABA and several industry and consumer groups are asking FHA to extend the expiration date for pandemic-related protections for borrowers while it considers their revisions to a proposed replacement for the program.
