US DATA: MBA mortgage applications, the Mkt Composite, increased
4.1 percent from one week earlier, driven by a surge in refinance
applications, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s
Wkly Mortgage Applications Survey for Dec 9 wk. On an unadjusted basis,
the Index increased 4.2 percent compared with the previous week. The
Refinance Index increased 9.3 percent from the previous week to its
highest level since November 4. The seasonally adjusted Purchase
Index decreased 8.2 percent from one week earlier. The unadjusted
Purchase Index decreased 11.8 percent compared with the previous week
and was 4.3 percent lower than the same week one year ago. See more on
the MNI main wire.