Streak over. Gas prices ticked up for the first time since June 13. {chart} 2. US petroleum inventory levels. Stocks for crude, gasoline, and distillate for the week ending September 21. {chart} 3. Mortgage rates surge. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage has reached late 2008 levels at 6.25%. {chart} 4. Existing home sales (I). Existing home sales in the US fell for the 7th consecutive month (longest streak since October 2007), dropping 0.4% in August and -19.87 YoY (12th consecutive month of negative YoY). {chart} 5. Existing home sales (II). Regional contributions to existing home sales. {chart} 6. Home price ... (full story)