Highlights
The Mortgage Bankers' purchase index dipped back in the Feb. 2 week, down 0.8 percent to 404.7. One week's data aren't that significant but this is the third week in a row that the index has held under 410. The results may raise concern whether home sales data will continue to show improvement.

Other readings included a 0.2 percent rise in the refinancing index to 1,943.4. The average 30-year fixed loan edged down 6 basis points in the week to 6.23 percent.

Housing data are sparse this time of the month, with the next market-moving report -- the NAHB housing market index -- a week from Thursday.