Pending home sales, which track signed contracts for existing homes, fell 7.3% from August and 11.3% from a year earlier in September, according to the National Association of Realtors. Mortgage rates climbed from about 6.8% at the start of September to 7.6% by month-end, and Freddie Mac's average 30-year rate reached 7.40% in the week ending October 8, its highest since November 2023. The median existing-home price hit $417,500, up 1.3% year on year, while 20.8% of listings had a price cut, the highest share for any month since October 2022. The NAHB's October builder sentiment index fell to its lowest reading in 14 years. With the November 3 midterms approaching, affordability has become a central issue for voters.
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mortgageshousinginterest ratesmidterm elections
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Related tickers and likely impact
SPY
▼ Likely negativeSPDR S&P 500 ETF
Relevance: low
| Market | US stocks |
|---|---|
| Sector | ETF |
| Close on 10/20/2026 | 769.05 |
| Change that session | +0.34% |
DXY
• NeutralRelevance: low
| Market | Currencies |
|---|---|
| Close on 10/20/2026 | 101.70 |
| Change that session | -0.28% |
Impact is scored by AI from the headline and may be wrong. It is not investment advice.
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