06/05/2026
Your weekly economic update is here. Here is what you need to know:
• Mortgage rates moved slightly lower last week, decreasing by five basis points according to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey as of June 4th. While rates have generally trended upward since late April, they remain 37 basis points lower than this time last year. With rates in the mid-6% range and income growth outpacing home price growth, affordability is showing signs of modest improvement.
• Mortgage applications dipped 2.5% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 29th. Even with a slight pullback in rates, application activity softened, with purchase applications slowing to their lowest weekly pace since April and refinance activity reaching its weakest level since last June. Still, purchase applications remain ahead of last year’s pace, showing that buyer interest continues to be present in the market.
• U.S. manufacturing expanded in May for the fifth consecutive month, with the PMI reaching 54%, its strongest reading since May 2022. Growth in new orders and production helped drive the increase, and all six of the largest manufacturing industries expanded during the month. However, cost pressures remain a factor as higher steel and aluminum costs, tariffs, and energy-related inflation continue to impact pricing.
• Unemployment claims increased more than expected last week, rising by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 225,000. While the increase is worth watching, the four-week moving average remained relatively steady, suggesting the broader labor market continues to hold stable. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and higher commodity prices could create additional pressure, but for now, the labor market remains resilient.
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