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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

FOMC Minutes: "Likely be appropriate to keep the target range unchanged for the rest of the year."

by Calculated Risk on 11/19/2025 02:00:00 PM

From the Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, October 28-29, 2025. Excerpt:

In their consideration of monetary policy at this meeting, participants noted that inflation had moved up since earlier in the year and remained somewhat elevated. Participants further noted that available indicators suggested that economic activity had been expanding at a moderate pace. They observed that job gains had slowed this year and that the unemployment rate had edged up but remained low through August. Participants assessed that more recent indicators were consistent with these developments. In addition, they judged that downside risks to employment had risen in recent months. Against this backdrop, many participants were in favor of lowering the target range for the federal funds rate at this meeting, some supported such a decision but could have also supported maintaining the level of the target range, and several were against lowering the target range. Those who favored or could have supported a lowering of the target range for the federal funds rate toward a more neutral setting generally observed that such a decision was appropriate because downside risks to employment had increased in recent months and upside risks to inflation had diminished since earlier this year or were little changed. Those who preferred to keep the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at this meeting expressed concern that progress toward the Committee's inflation objective had stalled this year, as inflation readings increased, or that more confidence was needed that inflation was on a course toward the Committee's 2 percent objective, while also noting that longer-term inflation expectations could rise should inflation not return to 2 percent in a timely manner. One participant agreed with the need to move toward a more neutral monetary policy stance but preferred a 1/2 percentage point reduction at this meeting. In light of their assessment that reserve balances had reached or were approaching ample levels, almost all participants noted that it was appropriate to conclude the reduction in the Committee's aggregate securities holdings on December 1 or that they could support such a decision.

In considering the outlook for monetary policy, participants expressed a range of views about the degree to which the current stance of monetary policy was restrictive. Some participants assessed that the Committee's policy stance would be restrictive even after a potential 1/4 percentage point reduction in the policy rate at this meeting. By contrast, some participants pointed to the resilience of economic activity, supportive financial conditions, or estimates of short-term real interest rates as indicating that the stance of monetary policy was not clearly restrictive. In discussing the near-term course of monetary policy, participants expressed strongly differing views about what policy decision would most likely be appropriate at the Committee's December meeting. Most participants judged that further downward adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate as the Committee moved to a more neutral policy stance over time, although several of these participants indicated that they did not necessarily view another 25 basis point reduction as likely to be appropriate at the December meeting. Several participants assessed that a further lowering of the target range for the federal funds rate could well be appropriate in December if the economy evolved about as they expected over the coming intermeeting period. Many participants suggested that, under their economic outlooks, it would likely be appropriate to keep the target range unchanged for the rest of the year. All participants agreed that monetary policy was not on a preset course and would be informed by a wide range of incoming data, the evolving economic outlook, and the balance of risks.

In discussing risk-management considerations that could bear on the outlook for monetary policy, participants generally judged that upside risks to inflation remained elevated and that downside risks to employment were elevated and had increased since the first half of the year. Many participants agreed that the Committee should be deliberate in its policy decisions against the backdrop of these two-sided risks and reduced availability of key economic data. br /> emphasis added

Trade Deficit Decreased to $59.6 Billion in August

by Calculated Risk on 11/19/2025 08:43:00 AM

The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported:

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $59.6 billion in August, down $18.6 billion from $78.2 billion in July, revised.

August exports were $280.8 billion, $0.2 billion more than July exports. August imports were $340.4 billion, $18.4 billion less than July imports.
emphasis added
U.S. Trade Exports Imports Click on graph for larger image.

Exports increased slightly and imports decreased in August. 

Exports were up 1.9% year-over-year; imports were down 1.9% year-over-year.

Imports increased sharply earlier this year as importers rushed to beat tariffs.  

The second graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum.

U.S. Trade Deficit The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products.

Note that net, exports of petroleum products are positive and have been increasing.

The trade deficit with China decreased to $18.9 billion from $27.8 billion a year ago.

MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest Weekly Survey

by Calculated Risk on 11/19/2025 07:00:00 AM

From the MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications decreased 5.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 14, 2025.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 5.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 7 percent compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index decreased 7 percent from the previous week and was 125 percent higher than the same week one year ago. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index decreased 2 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index decreased 7 percent compared with the previous week and was 26 percent higher than the same week one year ago.

“Mortgage rates increased for the third consecutive week, with the 30-year fixed rate inching higher to its highest level in four weeks at 6.37 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Application activity over the week was lower, with potential homebuyers moving to the sidelines again, although there was a small increase in FHA purchase applications. Refinance applications decreased as borrowers remain sensitive to even small increases in rates at this level. The overall average loan size across both purchase and refinance applications dipped to its lowest level since August of this year, driven by another drop in the ARM share.”
...
The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($806,500 or less) increased to 6.37 percent from 6.34 percent, with points remaining unchanged at 0.62 (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans.
emphasis added
Mortgage Purchase Index Click on graph for larger image.

The first graph shows the MBA mortgage purchase index.

According to the MBA, purchase activity is up 26% year-over-year unadjusted. 

Red is a four-week average (blue is weekly).  

Purchase application activity is still depressed, but above the lows of 2023 and slightly above the lowest levels during the housing bust.  

Mortgage Refinance Index
The second graph shows the refinance index since 1990.

The refinance index has increased from the bottom as mortgage rates declined.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Wednesday: Trade Deficit, FOMC Minutes

by Calculated Risk on 11/18/2025 08:23:00 PM

Mortgage Rates Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios.

Wednesday:
• At 7:00 AM ET, The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) will release the results for the mortgage purchase applications index.

• At 8:30 AM, Trade Balance report for August from the Census Bureau.  The consensus is for the deficit to be $61.4 billion in August, from $78.3 billion in July.

• During the day, The AIA's Architecture Billings Index for October (a leading indicator for commercial real estate).

• At 2:00 PM, FOMC Minutes, Meeting of October 28-29

LA Ports: Imports and Exports Down YoY in October; Exports Down YoY for 11th Consecutive Month

by Calculated Risk on 11/18/2025 03:46:00 PM

Container traffic gives us an idea about the volume of goods being exported and imported - and usually some hints about the trade report since LA area ports handle about 40% of the nation's container port traffic.

The following graphs are for inbound and outbound traffic at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in TEUs (TEUs: 20-foot equivalent units or 20-foot-long cargo container).

The first graph is the monthly data (with a strong seasonal pattern for imports).

LA Area Port TrafficClick on graph for larger image.

Usually imports peak in the July to October period as retailers import goods for the Christmas holiday and then decline sharply and bottom in the Winter depending on the timing of the Chinese New Year.  

Imports were down 12.5% YoY in October, and exports were down 5.1% YoY.    

To remove the strong seasonal component for inbound traffic, the second graph shows the rolling 12-month average.

LA Area Port TrafficOn a rolling 12-month basis, inbound traffic decreased 1.2% in September compared to the rolling 12 months ending the previous month.   

Outbound traffic decreased 0.5% compared to the rolling 12 months ending the previous month.

This is the 11th consecutive month with exports down YoY.

California October Home Sales "Highest Level Since February"; 4th Look at Local Markets

by Calculated Risk on 11/18/2025 01:03:00 PM

Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: California October Home Sales "Highest Level Since February"; 4th Look at Local Markets

A brief excerpt:

From the California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.): California home sales hit highest level since February, C.A.R. reports
California home sales rose in October from both the prior month and a year ago to reach the highest level since February, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 282,590 in October, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2025 if sales maintained the October pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

October home sales edged up 1.9 percent from 277,410 in September to 282,590 in October. Home sales improved 4.1 percent from a revised 271,370 recorded a year earlier.
There is much more in the article.

NAHB: Builder Confidence Increased Slightly in November, Negative territory for 19 consecutive months

by Calculated Risk on 11/18/2025 10:00:00 AM

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported the housing market index (HMI) was at 38, up from 37 last month. Any number below 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good.

From the NAHB: Builder Sentiment Relatively Flat in November as Market Headwinds Persist
Market uncertainty exacerbated by the government shutdown along with economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs and rising construction costs kept builder confidence firmly in negative territory in November.

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose one point to 38 in November, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.

“While lower mortgage rates are a positive development for affordability conditions, many buyers remain hesitant because of the recent record-long government shutdown and concerns over job security and inflation,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “More builders are using incentives to get deals closed, including lowering prices, but many potential buyers still remain on the fence.”

We continue to see demand-side weakness as a softening labor market and stretched consumer finances are contributing to a difficult sales environment,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “After a decline for single-family housing starts in 2025, NAHB is forecasting a slight gain in 2026 as builders continue to report future sales conditions in marginally positive territory.”

In a further sign of ongoing challenges for the housing market, the latest HMI survey also revealed that 41% of builders reported cutting prices in November, a record high in the post-Covid period and the first time this measure has passed 40%. Meanwhile, the average price reduction was 6% in November, the same rate as the previous month. The use of sales incentives was 65% in November, tying the share in September and October.
...
The HMI index gauging current sales conditions increased two points to 41, the index measuring future sales fell three points to 51 and the gauge charting traffic of prospective buyers posted a one-point gain to 26.

Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast rose two points to 48, the Midwest fell one point to 41, the South increased three points to 34 and the West gained two points to 30.
emphasis added
NAHB HMI Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the NAHB index since Jan 1985.

The index has been below 50 for nineteen consecutive months.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Tuesday: Industrial Production, Homebuilder Survey

by Calculated Risk on 11/17/2025 07:39:00 PM

NOTE from Fed:

The industrial production indexes that are published in the G.17 Statistical Release on Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization incorporate a range of data from other government agencies, the publication of which has been delayed as a result of the federal government shutdown. Consequently, the G.17 monthly release will not be published as scheduled on November 18, 2025.
Mortgage Rates Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios.

Tuesday (RED will not be released due to government shutdown):
At 8:30 AM ET,Housing Starts for October.

At 9:15 AM, The Fed will release Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization for October. The consensus is for no change in Industrial Production, and for Capacity Utilization to decrease to 77.3%.

• At 10:00 AM, The November NAHB homebuilder survey. The consensus is for a reading of 36, down from 37. Any number below 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good.

3rd Look at Local Housing Markets in October

by Calculated Risk on 11/17/2025 11:44:00 AM

Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: 3rd Look at Local Housing Markets in October

A brief excerpt:

Tracking local data gives an early look at what happened the previous month and also reveals regional differences in both sales and inventory.

October sales will be mostly for contracts signed in August and September, and mortgage rates averaged 6.59% in August and 6.35% in September (lower than for closed sales in September).

Closed Existing Home SalesIn October, sales in these markets were down 0.3% YoY. Last month, in September, these same markets were up 8.0% year-over-year Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA).

Important: There were the same number of working days in October 2025 (22) as in October 2024 (22). So, the year-over-year change in the headline SA data will be similar to the change in NSA data (there are other seasonal factors).
...
More local markets to come!
There is much more in the article.

Construction Spending Increased 0.2% in August

by Calculated Risk on 11/17/2025 10:15:00 AM

From the Census Bureau reported that overall construction spending decreased:

Construction spending during August 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,169.5 billion, 0.2 percent above the revised July estimate of $2,165.0 billion. The August figure is 1.6 percent below the August 2024 estimate of $2,205.3 billion.
emphasis added
Private spending increased and public spending was unchanged:
Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,652.1 billion, 0.3 percent above the revised July estimate of $1,647.5 billion. ...

n August, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $517.3 billion, virtually unchanged from the revised July estimate of $517.5 billion.
Construction Spending Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows private residential and nonresidential construction spending, and public spending, since 1993. Note: nominal dollars, not inflation adjusted.

Private residential (red) spending is 6.5% below the peak in 2022.

Private non-residential (blue) spending is 6.8% below the peak in December 2023.

Public construction spending (orange) is close to the peak.

Year-over-year Construction SpendingThe second graph shows the year-over-year change in construction spending.

On a year-over-year basis, private residential construction spending is down 2.0%. Private non-residential spending is down 4.0% year-over-year. Public spending is up 2.7% year-over-year.

Housing November 17th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 0.3% Week-over-week

by Calculated Risk on 11/17/2025 08:11:00 AM

Altos reports that active single-family inventory was down 0.3% week-over-week.  Inventory usually starts to decline in the fall and then declines sharply during the holiday season.

The first graph shows the seasonal pattern for active single-family inventory since 2015.

Altos Year-over-year Home InventoryClick on graph for larger image.

The red line is for 2025.  The black line is for 2019.  

Inventory was up 16.3% compared to the same week in 2024 (last week it was up 16.7%), and down 5.3% compared to the same week in 2019 (last week it was down 5.6%). 

Inventory started 2025 down 22% compared to 2019.  Inventory has closed most of that gap, but it appears inventory will still be below 2019 levels at the end of 2025.

Altos Home InventoryThis second inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research.

As of November 14th, inventory was at 840 thousand (7-day average), compared to 842 thousand the prior week.  

Mike Simonsen discusses this data and much more regularly on YouTube

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Sunday Night Futures

by Calculated Risk on 11/16/2025 06:59:00 PM

Weekend:
Schedule for Week of November 16, 2025

Monday:
• At 8:30 AM ET, The New York Fed Empire State manufacturing survey for November. The consensus is for a reading of 5.7, down from 10.7.

• At 10:00 AM, Construction Spending for September.

From CNBC: Pre-Market Data and Bloomberg futures S&P 500 and DOW futures are mostly unchanged (fair value).

Oil prices were up over the last week with WTI futures at $60.09 per barrel and Brent at $64.39 per barrel. A year ago, WTI was at $67, and Brent was at $73 - so WTI oil prices are down about 11% year-over-year.

Here is a graph from Gasbuddy.com for nationwide gasoline prices. Nationally prices are at $3.06 per gallon. A year ago, prices were at $3.03 per gallon, so gasoline prices are up $0.03 year-over-year.

Update: Lumber Prices Down 8% Year-over-year

by Calculated Risk on 11/16/2025 11:28:00 AM

Here is another update on lumber prices.


SPECIAL NOTE: The CME group discontinued the Random Length Lumber Futures contract on May 16, 2023.  I switched to a physically-delivered Lumber Futures contract that was started in August 2022.  Unfortunately, this impacts long term price comparisons since the new contract was priced about 24% higher than the old random length contract for the period when both contracts were available.

This graph shows CME random length framing futures through August 2022 (blue), and the new physically-delivered Lumber Futures (LBR) contract starting in August 2022 (Red).

On November 14, 2025, LBR was at $560.00 per 1,000 board feet, down 7.7% from a year ago.

Lumber PricesClick on graph for larger image.

There is somewhat of a seasonal demand for lumber, and lumber prices frequently peak in the first half of the year.

The pickup in early 2018 was due to the Trump lumber tariffs in 2017.  There were huge increases during the pandemic due to a combination of supply constraints and a pickup in housing starts.  

Now, even with the tariffs, prices are down slightly year-over-year suggesting weak demand.

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Real Estate Newsletter Articles this Week: Mortgage Delinquencies Increased in Q3

by Calculated Risk on 11/15/2025 02:11:00 PM

At the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter this week:

Mortgage DelinquenciesTClick on graph for larger image.

MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Increased in Q3 2025

Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-November 2025

Part 2: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-November 2025

2nd Look at Local Housing Markets in October

November ICE Mortgage Monitor: Home Prices "Firmed" in October, Up 0.9% Year-over-year

This is usually published 4 to 6 times a week and provides more in-depth analysis of the housing market.

Schedule for Week of November 16, 2025

by Calculated Risk on 11/15/2025 08:11:00 AM

SPECIAL NOTE: The statistical agencies will likely provide updated schedules this week. I'll update this schedule when that happens. The September employment report will be released this week on Thursday.

The key economic reports this week are Existing Home sales and the (likely) September employment report.

For manufacturing, Industrial Production, and the November NY, Philly and Kansas City Fed surveys, will be released this week.

Items in Red will not be released due to the government shutdown.

----- Monday, November 17th -----

8:30 AM: The New York Fed Empire State manufacturing survey for November. The consensus is for a reading of 5.7, down from 10.7.

10:00 AM: Construction Spending for September.

----- Tuesday, November 18th -----

Multi Housing Starts and Single Family Housing Starts8:30 AM: Housing Starts for October.

This graph shows single and total housing starts since 1968.

This will be 2nd consecutive months without housing start data.






Industrial Production9:15 AM: The Fed will release Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization for October.

This graph shows industrial production since 1967.

The consensus is for no change in Industrial Production, and for Capacity Utilization to decrease to 77.3%.

10:00 AM: The November NAHB homebuilder survey. The consensus is for a reading of 36, down from 37. Any number below 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good.

----- Wednesday, November 19th -----

7:00 AM ET: The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) will release the results for the mortgage purchase applications index.

U.S. Trade Deficit8:30 AM: Trade Balance report for August from the Census Bureau.  The consensus is for the deficit to be $61.4 billion in August, from $78.3 billion in July.

This graph shows the U.S. trade deficit, with and without petroleum, through the most recent report. The blue line is the total deficit, and the black line is the petroleum deficit, and the red line is the trade deficit ex-petroleum products.

During the day: The AIA's Architecture Billings Index for October (a leading indicator for commercial real estate).

2:00 PM: FOMC Minutes, Meeting of October 28-29

----- Thursday, November 20th -----

8:30 AM: The initial weekly unemployment claims report will be released.  The consensus is for 223K initial claims.

Employment per month8:30 AM: Employment Report for September.   The consensus is for 43,000 jobs added, and for the unemployment rate to be unchanged at 4.3%.

There were 22,000 jobs added in August, and the unemployment rate was at 4.3%.

This graph shows the jobs added per month since January 2021.

8:30 AM: the Philly Fed manufacturing survey for November. The consensus is for a reading of 2.0, up from -12.8.

Existing Home Sales10:00 AM: Existing Home Sales for October from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The consensus is for 4.08 million SAAR, up from 4.06 million in September.

The graph shows existing home sales from 1994 through the report last month.

11:00 AM: the Kansas City Fed manufacturing survey for November.

----- Friday, November 21st -----

10:00 AM: University of Michigan's Consumer sentiment index (Final for November).

Friday, November 14, 2025

MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Increased in Q3 2025

by Calculated Risk on 11/14/2025 11:55:00 AM

Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Increased in Q3 2025

A brief excerpt:

From the MBA: Mortgage Delinquencies Increase in the Third Quarter of 2025
The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 3.99 percent of all loans outstanding at the end of the third quarter of 2025, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey.

The delinquency rate was up 6 basis points from the second quarter of 2025 and up 7 basis points from one year ago. The percentage of loans on which foreclosure actions were started in the third quarter rose by 3 basis points to 0.20 percent.

“Mortgage delinquencies increased in third quarter of 2025, led by worsening FHA loan performance,” said Marina Walsh, CMB, MBA’s Vice President of Industry Analysis. “Since this time last year, the FHA seriously delinquent rate – which includes 90+ day delinquencies and loans in foreclosure – increased by almost 50 basis points. In contrast, the conventional and VA seriously delinquent rates remained relatively flat.”

Added Walsh, “The stressors on FHA homeowners include a softer labor market, other personal debt obligations, and increases in taxes, homeowners’ insurance and other fees that exacerbate already stretched affordability. Additionally, home price declines in some parts of the country may lessen the ability to sell or refinance.”

Walsh also noted that while the third quarter results were not impacted by the ending of COVID-era FHA loss mitigation options and the recent government shutdown, those events may affect future quarters.
There is much more in the article.

Q3 GDP Tracking: Missing Data!

by Calculated Risk on 11/14/2025 11:38:00 AM

From BofA:

Since our last weekly publication, 3Q GDP tracking remains unchanged at 2.8% q/q saar. There were no tracking changes this week due to the data delay caused by the ongoing government shutdown. [November 14th estimate]
emphasis added
GDPNowAnd from the Atlanta Fed: GDPNow
he GDPNow model estimate for real GDP growth (seasonally adjusted annual rate) in the third quarter of 2025 is 4.0 percent on November 6, unchanged from November 3 after rounding. [November 6th estimate]

Realtor.com Reports Median Listing Price Down Year-over-year

by Calculated Risk on 11/14/2025 08:11:00 AM

What this means: On a weekly basis, Realtor.com reports the year-over-year change in active inventory, new listings and median prices. On a monthly basis, they report total inventory. For October, Realtor.com reported active inventory was up 15.3% YoY, but still down 13.2% compared to the 2017 to 2019 same month levels. 


Here is their weekly report: Weekly Housing Trends: Latest Data as of Nov. 8
Active inventory climbed 12.8% year over year

The number of homes active on the market climbed 12.8% year-over-year, as the streak of annual gains stretched past two years in length. There were about 1.1 million homes for sale last week, marking the 28th week in a row over the million-listing threshold. Active inventory is growing due to both new listings hitting the market and listings taking longer to sell in this weak 2025 sales year.

New listings—a measure of sellers putting homes up for sale—rose 10.5% year over year

New listings were up 10.5% last week compared with the same period a year ago. New listing growth has ping-ponged in recent weeks as we enter the slowest period of the year for selling homes. Take this double-digit improvement with a grain of salt, as it marks an improvement over an already-low figure from last year. However, if we do continue to see more new listings coming onto the market, it could be due to mortgage rates hovering in the low-6% range and enticing homeowners to make a move.

The median listing price fell 1.0% year-over-year

The median list price dropped compared to the same week one year ago. Adjusting for home size, price per square foot fell 1.1% year-over-year, dropping for the tenth consecutive week. Price per square foot grew steadily for almost two years, but the weak sales activity has finally caught up and shaken underlying home values despite stable prices.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Friday: October Retail Sales and PPI will NOT be released

by Calculated Risk on 11/13/2025 07:41:00 PM

The statistical agencies will post new schedules soon. It is possible that the October employment and CPI reports will never be released since the data wasn't gathered.

From the Census Bureau:

The U.S. Census Bureau is updating its economic indicator release calendar in coordination with other agencies and the Office of Management and Budget to address the impacts of the recent lapse in federal funding. We will provide the updated release schedule as soon as it becomes available.
Mortgage Rates Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios.

Friday (red will NOT be released);
• At 8:30 AM ET, Retail sales for October.

• Also at 8:30 AM, The Producer Price Index for October from the BLS.

Hotels: Occupancy Rate Increased 2.5% Year-over-year

by Calculated Risk on 11/13/2025 11:34:00 AM

Hotel occupancy was weak over the summer months, due to less international tourism.  The fall months are mostly domestic travel and occupancy is still under pressure! 

From STR: U.S. hotel results for week ending 8 November
Due to a comparison against election week in 2024, the U.S. hotel industry reported positive year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStar’s latest data through 8 November. ...

26 October through 1 November 2025 (percentage change from comparable week in 2024):

Occupancy: 64.2% (+2.5%)
• Average daily rate (ADR): US$162.70 (+3.6%)
• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$104.42 (+6.2%)
emphasis added
The following graph shows the seasonal pattern for the hotel occupancy rate using the four-week average.

Hotel Occupancy RateClick on graph for larger image.

The red line is for 2025, blue is the median, and dashed light blue is for 2024.  Dashed black is for 2018, the record year for hotel occupancy. 

The 4-week average of the occupancy rate is tracking behind both last year and the median rate for the period 2000 through 2024 (Blue).

Note: Y-axis doesn't start at zero to better show the seasonal change.

The 4-week average will decrease seasonally until early next year.

On a year-to-date basis, the only worse years for occupancy over the last 25 years were pandemic or recession years.