FX.co ★ U.S. MBA Purchase Index Slips to 159.4, Signaling Softer Mortgage Demand

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Purchase Index in the United States eased to 159.4, down from a previous level of 163.6, according to data updated on 1 April 2026. The decline points to a modest cooling in mortgage applications for home purchases.

While the move from 163.6 to 159.4 is not dramatic, it suggests that demand from prospective homebuyers has weakened compared with the prior reading. Market participants will be watching upcoming releases to see whether this dip proves temporary or develops into a more persistent downtrend in housing demand.