Growth in total credit market debt outstanding surged 11.4% (AR) last quarter. Faster growth rates often occur during 4Q but that was the quickest since 2002.

The acceleration from 3Q was due to a jump in Federal Government borrowing at a 10.1% rate (7.0% y/y) versus 6.6% in 3Q.

Growth in household sector borrowing continued strong at a 13.2% rate. That was down from the heated pace of the prior quarter but it capped off the fastest yearly rate of household sector borrowing on record by edging out the 11.5% rate of growth during 2003.

Home mortgage obligations grew at a 14.6% rate (14.1% y/y) last quarter capping the fourth consecutive year of double digit growth. Consumer credit growth slowed substantially to a 4.7% rate from 8.5% during 3Q and the 2.9% yearly rate of growth was the slowest since 1992, likely reflecting mortgage refinancings.

Household sector asset values rose at a 9.8% annual rate (8.5% y/y) during 4Q powered by a 14.0% (14.9% y/y) rise in the value of real estate holdings. Financial asset values rose 8.0% (5.6% y/y) due to an 11.2% (12.9% y/y) rise in the value of mutual fund shares but the value of corporate equities held directly fell 4.4% (-5.0% y/y).

The net worth of the US household sector in 4Q improved 2.3% (8.0% y/y) to a record $52.107 trillion. The gain, however, did not lift net worth as a percentage of income which fell slightly q/q to a still high 5.635 times income. During 2004 that ratio was 5.403 times.