MBA Mortgage Applications
A weekly indicator of U.S. mortgage application volumes, covering home-purchase and refinancing demand.
Full explanation
MBA Mortgage Applications is a weekly measure of U.S. mortgage loan application activity. It tracks changes in the volume of applications to buy homes and to refinance existing mortgages. The headline Market Composite Index combines purchase and refinancing applications, while the accompanying report also breaks activity down by loan type and provides selected contract mortgage rates. The survey covers closed-end residential applications originated through participating retail and consumer-direct lenders.
Why traders watch it
It provides a timely read on housing-finance demand, household borrowing conditions and the sensitivity of consumers to mortgage-rate changes. It can add context for U.S. housing, consumption and interest-rate expectations.
Stronger vs weaker outcomes
A stronger-than-expected rise in applications may be consistent with firmer housing-finance demand, while a weaker result may be consistent with softer demand or less favourable borrowing conditions. The purchase and refinance components can point in different directions.
Typical volatility
Moderate. This is a survey-based weekly index rather than a measure of completed home sales or mortgage originations. Seasonal adjustment, holiday effects, rate movements and the split between purchase and refinancing activity can materially affect week-to-week comparisons.
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