September 2012 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Freddie Mac (OTC:FMCC) released today its U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook for September showing consumers and businesses have become more energy efficient thereby dampening the negative impact of recent fuel-price spikes on the economy. Moreover, monetary policy is unlikely to be affected by short-term fuel-price inflation, thus allowing for an extended and favorable interest-rate environment.

Outlook Highlights                                                                         

• Between 1973 and 2011, energy consumption fell by 0.3 percent (annualized) to 314 million BTUs per capita.
• Fuel economy of passenger cars has also improved, rising from an average of only 13.4 miles per gallon (MPG) in 1973 to 22.6 MPG in 2008. 
• Measured relative to square footage, homes built since 2000 have fuel costs that are about 30 percent lower than that of homes built before 1960.
• Anticipate a favorable interest-rate environment to remain at least through the end of this year to help energize the housing market.
• Comparing the first seven months in 2012 with the same period in 2011, home sales are up 8 percent and housing starts have rebounded by 19 percent. Further, second-quarter national house-price indexes have recorded a gain on a year-over-year basis.

Watch a short preview video and download the complete September 2012 U.S. Economic and Housing Market Outlook. Freddie Mac compiles data on major economic and housing and mortgage market indicators and offers forecasts based on those indicators.

Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac, vice president and chief economist.

"A fuel-price spike doesn't pack the same punch it once used to in part because of more efficient use of energy. And with core inflation largely in-check, and below 2.0 percent, the Federal Reserve has been able to extend its Maturity Extension Program through year-end, thus keeping long-term interest rates, such as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, at extremely low levels."

Get the latest information from Freddie Mac's Office of the Chief Economist on Twitter:@FreddieMac

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four homebuyers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. www.FreddieMac.com.

SOURCE Freddie Mac

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