Last week’s scheduled economic reports included readings on inflation, the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. Fed Leaves Key Rate Range Unchanged Federal Reserve policymakers left the Fed’s current interest rate range unchanged at 5.00 to 5.25 percent; the Fed decision was announced after a scheduled meeting of the Fed’s Open Market Committee ended on Wednesday. Factors contributing to the  FOMC policymakers’  decision included the cumulative effects of tightening monetary policy, lags between changing monetary policy and any impact on the economy,…

Last week’s scheduled economic news included results from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Fannie Mae Survey Shows Lower Home Buyer Confidence in May Fannie Mae reported lower home buyer confidence in housing market conditions in May. High home prices and rising mortgage rates challenged prospective home buyers while providing favorable conditions for sellers. 65 percent of consumers surveyed for Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index believed that it was a good time to sell their homes as compared to 62 percent of consumers surveyed in April. This was the highest consumer…