Housing market "to beat predictions" - 2004-01-20
The housing market is set to beat all expectation for 2003 with the value of loans in the third quarter up 21.5pc on the last quarter to E3,842.3m, according to the Department of the Environment's Housing Statistics Bulletin.

Commenting on the results, Dara Deering, Head of Mortgage Sales at EBS said the figures suggest the market will continue to grow well into 2004.
Read the full story at Ireland Business World

Ten-Year Treasuries Drop on Forecasts for Stronger U.S. Economic Growth - 2004-01-20
Ten-year Treasuries fell in New York as forecasts showing the economy will grow at the fastest pace since 1999 fueled speculation a decline in the note's yield below 4 percent last week went too far.

The 10-year note yield, a gauge for mortgage and corporate- bond rates, fell to 3.97 percent on Thursday. It climbed to 4.03 percent on Friday after the University of Michigan reported its consumer-sentiment index surged to a three-year high.
Read the full story at Bloomberg