Economic Calendar: Key Events for Mortgage Rates

Track upcoming economic releases that influence mortgage rates. High-impact events like jobs reports, inflation data, and Federal Reserve decisions can move rates significantly.

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Week of May 17, 2026This Week

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Wed, May 20 7:00 AM	7:00 AM	MBA Mortgage Applications Mortgage Bankers Association Weekly snapshot of mortgage demand. Shows how rate changes affect buyer and refinance activity.
Wed, May 20 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Leading Economic Index Conference Board Can signal recession or recovery ahead. Helps predict where the economy is headed.
Wed, May 20 2:00 PM	2:00 PM	Beige Book Federal Reserve Real-world economic reports from businesses. Informs Fed thinking before FOMC meetings.
Thu, May 21 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Housing Starts Census Bureau New construction activity. More building can eventually ease supply constraints and price pressure.
Thu, May 21 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Initial Jobless Claims Department of Labor Weekly pulse on layoffs. Rising claims can signal economic weakness and potential rate cuts.
Thu, May 21 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Existing Home SalesMarket Mover National Association of Realtors The largest segment of home sales. Rising sales indicate strong demand; falling sales may signal affordability challenges.

Week of May 24, 2026

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Mon, May 25 9:00 AM	9:00 AM	FHFA House Price Index Federal Housing Finance Agency Home prices for Fannie/Freddie loans. Important benchmark for conforming loan limits.
Tue, May 26 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	GDP (Second Estimate) Bureau of Economic Analysis Revision to GDP. Markets react if significantly different from advance estimate.
Tue, May 26 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Personal Income and Outlays Bureau of Economic Analysis Includes PCE Price Index - the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Very important for rate policy.
Tue, May 26 9:00 AM	9:00 AM	Case-Shiller Home Price Index S&P Dow Jones Indices Tracks home price changes in major metros. Shows where prices are headed with 2-month lag.
Tue, May 26 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Consumer Confidence Conference Board How optimistic consumers feel. Confident consumers spend more, which can be inflationary.
Tue, May 26 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Consumer Sentiment (Final) University of Michigan Final read on consumer mood with full sample. Includes inflation expectations.
Wed, May 27 7:00 AM	7:00 AM	MBA Mortgage Applications Mortgage Bankers Association Weekly snapshot of mortgage demand. Shows how rate changes affect buyer and refinance activity.
Thu, May 28 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Durable Goods Orders Census Bureau Economic data that can influence Federal Reserve policy and mortgage rate movements.
Thu, May 28 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Initial Jobless Claims Department of Labor Weekly pulse on layoffs. Rising claims can signal economic weakness and potential rate cuts.
Thu, May 28 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Productivity and Costs Bureau of Labor Statistics
Thu, May 28 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	New Home SalesMarket Mover Census Bureau Demand for new construction. Rising sales signal a healthy market; falling sales may indicate affordability issues.
Thu, May 28 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Pending Home Sales Index National Association of Realtors Leading indicator of existing home sales. Shows buyer demand before deals close.
Fri, May 29 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Trade Balance Census Bureau Exports minus imports. Large deficits can affect currency and interest rates.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Economic Events and Mortgage Rates

Understanding how economic data affects mortgage rates can help you make better timing decisions for your home purchase or refinance.

Can I access this calendar data through an API?

Yes, developers can access economic calendar data programmatically through our API.

How do economic events affect mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates respond to economic data because lenders and investors watch for signs of inflation. When economic reports show strong growth or rising prices, rates tend to move higher. When reports show slower growth, rates often improve. You can use this calendar to see what data is coming and plan your rate lock timing.

What is a 'high impact' event?

High impact events move mortgage rates more than other releases. The Federal Reserve's rate decisions, the monthly jobs report, and inflation data (CPI and PCE) are the big three. When you see these on the calendar, pay attention — your rate could change that day.

What happens at an FOMC meeting?

The Federal Open Market Committee meets eight times per year to set the federal funds rate. While the fed funds rate and mortgage rates are different, the Fed's decisions shape how lenders price mortgages. The Fed also shares guidance about future rate moves, which can affect your rate before changes happen.

What is CPI and why does it matter for mortgage rates?

CPI (Consumer Price Index) tracks the prices you pay for everyday goods and services. When CPI comes in higher than expected, mortgage rates often rise because lenders expect the Fed to tighten policy. Lower CPI readings can lead to better rates. CPI is released monthly and typically moves markets.

What is the difference between CPI and PCE inflation?

CPI and PCE both measure inflation, but they count things differently. CPI tracks what urban consumers spend money on. PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) covers more types of spending and adjusts when people switch to cheaper alternatives. The Fed watches PCE more closely, but both reports move mortgage rates.

How do I read the monthly jobs report?

The jobs report shows three numbers that matter for rates: how many jobs the economy added, the unemployment rate, and wage growth. Strong job gains and rising wages can push rates higher. Weaker numbers may help rates improve. The report comes out the first Friday of each month at 8:30 AM ET.

Why do mortgage rates sometimes move before economic data is released?

Traders and lenders make predictions about upcoming data. When they expect strong numbers, rates may rise before the report. The actual release matters most when it surprises people — rates move based on whether data beats or misses expectations, not just whether the number looks good or bad.

When should I lock my mortgage rate?

If you want to protect your rate from potential increases, consider locking before high-impact events. If you think data will come in weak and help rates, you might wait.

How often is this calendar updated?

We update the calendar weekly with data from official sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau. Release dates and times come directly from the agencies that publish the reports.

Economic Calendar: Key Events for Mortgage Rates

Week of May 17, 2026This Week

Week of May 24, 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions About Economic Events and Mortgage Rates

About the Author

Dan Green

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