Update #1/ Week of November 16, 2009

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Monday. It’s Monday morning and the stock market is off to the races (like 8 of the last 10). The dollar is weak, commodities are on the rise, and companies are reporting good earnings for the 3rd quarter -- same ol’ same ol’. What’s also been “same ‘ol” is improved pricing with the credit markets continuing to make up ground in the midst of these latest trends.

October Advance Retail Sales Report is the main catalyst for the big rally on Wall Street. Total retail sales were up 1.4%, better than the .9% expected. Of course, this is after a drop of 2.9% in September, which is a downwardly revised number as of today. So, it’s hard to tell if we are really any better off now than we were a couple months ago, don’t you think? Statistics can be used many times to skew numbers and news in the direction in which you want to present – and government agencies are masters at this trick. The Empire Man. Survey for November came is below expectations, but who cares, we need a stock market rally, and it is Monday.

We rec’d some encouraging news earlier today out of Asia in regards to their economies slowly making progress toward coming out of recession. Also, business inventory data for September only decreased .4%, not as bad as the .7% decrease analysts were expecting.

I know I’m boring you with numbers now . . . all you care about is the good rates that lenders are offering today. Call me here at the office for off sheet pricing, I have it here for you. I’ll be available all day for your locking pleasure. Email me if you can’t catch me by phone to be sure I get to you and help you get your loan locked or help you with a loan scenario. Have a terrific Monday and a very profitable week!