FX.co ★ U.S. MBA Purchase Index Slips to 148.2, Signaling Softer Mortgage Demand

The latest data on U.S. mortgage activity show a decline in home-purchase demand, with the MBA Purchase Index easing to 148.2 from a previous level of 154.9. The updated figure, released on 30 September 2026, highlights a cooling in mortgage applications for home purchases.

The drop in the index suggests fewer buyers are applying for home loans compared with the prior reading, pointing to a softer tone in the housing market. While the data alone do not define a trend, the move from 154.9 to 148.2 will be closely watched by market participants as they assess the strength of U.S. housing demand and its broader implications for economic momentum.