Mortgage interest rates were mostly flat on the week on mixed economic data. Economic data weaker than expected included March Retail Sales, March Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization, March Housing Starts, and March Building Permits. Economic data stronger than expected included weekly jobless claims, the Philadelphia Fed Business Index, and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. Other news of note included the March Consumer Price Index (CPI), which fell 0.2% on expectations that it would increase by 0.1%. Core CPI, excluding food and energy, increased 0.2% on expectations that it would increase 0.1%. The March Producer Price Index (PPI), a measure of wholesale prices, fell 1.2% on expectations that it would be unchanged. Excluding the food and energy components, core PPI was unchanged on expectations that it would increase 0.1%.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently at 8,123, up about 40 points on the week. Crude oil spot prices are currently trading at $50.41 per barrel, down over $1 per barrel on the week.


Next week look toward Thursday's weekly jobless claims and Existing Home Sales along with Friday's Durable Goods Orders and New Home Sales as potential market moving events.