MBA Mortgage Refinance Index
A weekly indicator of U.S. mortgage refinance application activity compiled by the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Full explanation
The MBA Mortgage Refinance Index tracks weekly applications from U.S. households seeking to replace an existing mortgage with a new one. It is published as part of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey and reflects application activity rather than completed refinancing loans. The index is particularly sensitive to changes in mortgage borrowing costs, since refinancing tends to become more attractive when available rates fall relative to borrowers' existing loans.
Why traders watch it
It provides a timely read on U.S. housing-finance demand and on how households may be responding to movements in longer-term interest rates. It can add context to rate-market moves and broader indicators of housing activity and consumer finances.
Stronger vs weaker outcomes
A larger-than-expected increase may indicate that refinancing demand has strengthened, potentially alongside more favourable mortgage-rate conditions. A weaker result may indicate softer refinancing demand, though the relationship can also be affected by the pool of borrowers who could benefit from refinancing.
Typical volatility
High. This is a weekly applications measure, not a count of completed loans. It can be volatile, subject to seasonal adjustment and holiday effects, and may be influenced by changes in lender offerings, borrower eligibility and the remaining stock of refinanceable mortgages.
Related indicators
15-Year Mortgage Rate
A weekly Freddie Mac measure of average U.S. 15-year fixed-rate mortgage borrowing costs.
Absa Manufacturing PMI
A monthly survey indicator tracking whether South African manufacturing conditions are improving or weakening.
ADP Employment Change
ADP Employment Change is a private estimate of changes in U.S. private-sector jobs based on payroll data from ADP.
Ai Group Australian Industry Index
A monthly survey-based gauge of whether activity in Australian industrial sectors is expanding or contracting.
Albania Balance of Trade
Albania Balance of Trade measures the difference between the value of Albania’s goods exports and goods imports.
Albania Harmonised Inflation Rate YoY
A monthly measure of Albania’s consumer-price inflation compared with the same month a year earlier, based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.