Daily Market Update 5/12/09

Mortgage rates inched lower Tuesday following a rally in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities prices Monday. In economic news, the National Association of Realtors reported a 14% decline in the median price of U.S. homes in the first quarter of 2009 compared to a year earlier, driven by high levels of "distressed" sales. On a positive note, the inventory of homes listed for sale fell slightly in March. The Trade Deficit rose last month, but remained below estimates. Retail Sales figures for April will be reported tomorrow.