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 March 15, 2026This Week

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Mon, Mar 16 9:15 AM	9:15 AM	Industrial Production Federal Reserve Shows real economic activity from production side. Weakness here can signal broader slowdown.
Tue, Mar 17 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Housing Market Index National Association of Home Builders Builder confidence reflects future construction activity. High confidence = more new homes coming.
Wed, Mar 18 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, Mar 18 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Producer Price Index Bureau of Labor Statistics Measures wholesale inflation. Often a leading indicator of consumer inflation trends.
Wed, Mar 18 2:00 PM	2:00 PM	FOMC Interest Rate DecisionMarket Mover Federal Reserve Direct impact on mortgage rates. Rate cuts typically mean lower mortgage rates; rate hikes mean higher rates.
Wed, Mar 18 2:00 PM	2:00 PM	Beige Book Federal Reserve Real-world economic reports from businesses. Informs Fed thinking before FOMC meetings.
Thu, Mar 19 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, Mar 19 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.
Fri, Mar 20 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Retail Sales Census Bureau Consumer spending health. Strong retail = strong economy = potentially higher rates.
Fri, Mar 20 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Housing Starts Census Bureau New construction activity. More building can eventually ease supply constraints and price pressure.
Fri, Mar 20 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Durable Goods Orders Census Bureau Economic data that can influence Federal Reserve policy and mortgage rate movements.
Fri, Mar 20 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Construction Spending Census Bureau Economic data that can influence Federal Reserve policy and mortgage rate movements.
Fri, Mar 20 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.
Fri, Mar 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.
Sat, Mar 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 March 22, 2026

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Mon, Mar 23 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Construction Spending Census Bureau Economic data that can influence Federal Reserve policy and mortgage rate movements.
Tue, Mar 24 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Productivity and Costs Bureau of Labor Statistics
Wed, Mar 25 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, Mar 25 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	Import/Export Prices Bureau of Labor Statistics Shows inflation pressure from international trade. Can signal future CPI trends.
Wed, Mar 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.
Thu, Mar 26 8:30 AM	8:30 AM	GDP (Third Estimate) Bureau of Economic Analysis Final GDP revision. Usually close to second estimate, so less market impact.
Thu, Mar 26 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, Mar 26 10:00 AM	10:00 AM	Consumer Sentiment (Final) University of Michigan Final read on consumer mood with full sample. Includes inflation expectations.
Sat, Mar 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.

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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 March 15, 2026This Week

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Frequently Asked Questions About Economic Events and Mortgage Rates

About the Author

Dan Green

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