Good news, mortgage credit, and China

December 10, 2019

The good news continues to stream in from the small business sector of the economy. The NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) Small Business Optimism Index saw its largest month-over-month gain since May 2018, up 2.3 points to 104.7 in November. The NFIB said that overall, the Main Street economic machine continued to push the economy forward. “Owners are aggressively moving forward with their business plans, proving that when they’re given relief from the government, they put their money where their mouth is, and they invest, hire, and increase wages,” said NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg.

Mortgage credit availability increased across all loan types in November, reports the Mortgage Bankers Association. The mortgage credit availability index rose by 2.1% to 188.9 last month. A decline in the MCAI indicates that lending standards are tightening, while increases in the index are indicative of loosening credit. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012. Joel Kan, MBA’s Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting said, “Expanding credit availability will continue to support active levels in mortgage lending, even as refinance activity starts to level off.”

The December 15 tariff deadline on Chinese exports into the U.S. could be delayed as the two sides continue to negotiate. The White House continues to stress that Beijing commit to large purchases of U.S. farm products in order for the tariffs to be delayed. The headlines are supporting the U.S. stock markets though the gains are modest at best as the market looks ahead to the Federal reserve’s release of its monetary policy statement on Wednesday afternoon.