Forecast for the Week for Arlington, Mansfield and Fort Worth Real Estate and Mortgages

So we know that employment numbers were the big movers and shakers for the financial markets and home loan rates last week. What's in store for the week ahead, and what could drive more market action?

Keep your eye out for the Retail Sales Report, which will be released on Thursday. The Retail Sales report is a measure of the total receipts of retail stores, and changes in these numbers are closely followed as a timely indicator of broad consumer spending patterns. Recent numbers haven't been too bad - consumers seem to still keep spending away. But, will this week's report show that inflation and high oil prices are finally taking their toll on consumer pocketbooks? A strong Retail Sales Report would be good for the Stock market - which stands to reason, as it would indicate continued consumer confidence and dollars being poured into the economy. But a strong Retail Sales Report would be bad news for Bonds and home loan rates, which benefit from weak economic news.

Sure to be a market mover is Friday's Consumer Price Index report, which gives a read on inflation at the consumer level - that is, how much more expensive are goods and services this month over last month? CPI is a widely watched inflation indicator, and will definitely make headlines. Inflation tends to be bad news for both Stocks and Bonds, so if the report indicates inflation is heating up, this could cause Bond pricing and home loan rates to worsen in response. Go to www.tombrewerjr.com for more information.

Remember when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower...and vice versa. And as you can see in the chart below, Bonds were challenged to improve and break above a strong technical barrier at the 200-day Moving Average....only to end the week being forced below it once again. This is a very important "line in the sand," so I'll be watching closely this coming week - as always - to see if the news of the week will help Bonds break above this important barrier, or remain below it.