December 16, 2025

Written By Jennifer Patel

📉 Rate Update: Jobs Report = Mild Shrug, Not a Mic Drop

Mortgage rates had a moment this week—but not that kind of moment.

The release of November’s jobs report could have triggered a big rate move. It’s one of the most important economic reports for mortgage rates and the first full look at jobs data since before the government shutdown. Markets were paying attention.

Here’s what happened instead 👇

🔍 What the Jobs Report Told Us

  • The data came in weaker overall, which usually helps rates

  • But it wasn’t weak enough to signal trouble

  • The takeaway: the labor market is still cooling slowly and predictably, not breaking

Because of that, the report didn’t dramatically change the bigger story the market is already telling.

🏦 Where Rates Landed

  • The average lender edged rates back down to roughly last Thursday’s levels

  • Zooming out, rates are still stuck in a consolidation pattern

  • We’ve been trading inside a fairly tight range since early September

In short: movement, yes. Breakout, no.

⚠️ Why Volatility Isn’t Off the Table

Markets aren’t done reacting just yet. The next big test comes Thursday with the CPI report.

  • CPI = the most influential monthly inflation report

  • Inflation + jobs = the Fed’s favorite math equation

  • If CPI surprises, rates could move more decisively

🧠 Quick Take

Jobs didn’t rock the boat, but inflation still might. For now, rates are catching their breath—eyes firmly on Thursday.

👉🏼Have questions about locking, floating, or timing your move? Reach out to me anytime.

Jennifer Patel
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December 9, 2025