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10th April, 26
Bonds Drift Weaker Despite Lower Oil Prices
Bonds Drift Weaker Despite Lower Oil Prices Although they still technically made positive progress versus the end of last week, bonds ended the day moderately weaker. Lower oil prices offered no support, but that's a tricky correlation these days. Longer-term oil contracts continue lining up with bond yield movement more reliably. To be sure, we can at least consider the impact of this morning's CPI data based on decent trading volume at the time and a reversal of the sideways to slightly stronger momentum in the preceding few hours, but it's impossible to say that it continued weighing on
Bonds Drift Weaker Despite Lower Oil Prices
Bonds Drift Weaker Despite Lower Oil Prices Although they still technically made positive progress versus the end of last week, bonds ended the day moderately weaker. Lower oil prices offered no support, but that's a tricky correlation these days. Longer-term oil contracts continue lining up with bond yield movement more reliably. To be sure, we can at least consider the impact of this morning's CPI data based on decent trading volume at the time and a reversal of the sideways to slightly stronger momentum in the preceding few hours, but it's impossible to say that it continued weighing on
10th April, 26
Mortgage Rates Remain Surprisingly Calm
If we're splitting hairs, today's average mortgage rates are technically higher than yesterday's, but the change is so small that it's just as fair to say that rates are flat. This closes out a week with surprisingly low volatility compared to that seen in March. In part, this can be attributed to longer-term oil prices being less volatile after moving down from their highs in late March. It's also a reflection of uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Iran war. The war (specifically, the economic/inflation implications) continue to be primary source of motivation for rates even in the
Mortgage Rates Remain Surprisingly Calm
If we're splitting hairs, today's average mortgage rates are technically higher than yesterday's, but the change is so small that it's just as fair to say that rates are flat. This closes out a week with surprisingly low volatility compared to that seen in March. In part, this can be attributed to longer-term oil prices being less volatile after moving down from their highs in late March. It's also a reflection of uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Iran war. The war (specifically, the economic/inflation implications) continue to be primary source of motivation for rates even in the
10th April, 26
Mortgage Demand Contracted at a Slower Pace Last Week
Mortgage applications dipped again last week, though the pace of decline slowed considerably. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 0.8% decrease on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 3. Refinance activity continued to weaken, with the Refinance Index falling 3% from the previous week and now sitting 4% below year-ago levels. The slowdown reflects a sharp drop in borrower incentive following the recent run-up in rates. Purchase activity showed modest resilience, with the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index rising 1% from the prior week. However, demand remains
Mortgage Demand Contracted at a Slower Pace Last Week
Mortgage applications dipped again last week, though the pace of decline slowed considerably. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 0.8% decrease on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 3. Refinance activity continued to weaken, with the Refinance Index falling 3% from the previous week and now sitting 4% below year-ago levels. The slowdown reflects a sharp drop in borrower incentive following the recent run-up in rates. Purchase activity showed modest resilience, with the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index rising 1% from the prior week. However, demand remains
10th April, 26
UAD 3.6, Spec Pool Tools; Credit Report FICO Program; Client and Market Trends For LOs to Monitor
Products, Services, and Software for Brokers and Lenders Yesterday this Commentary mentioned a guide titled, “AI in the Workplace: Acceptable Use Policies, Data Risk, and the Discovery Trap.” Many wrote for the piece, which is now posted on the internet! Spring EQ (NMLS# 1464945) is hosting a webinar next week (Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET) to help brokers capitalize on today’s home equity opportunity. With homeowners sitting on near-record levels of equity, including $34 trillion in total U.S. home equity, an average of $295,000 per homeowner, and 50% holding first mortgage rates
UAD 3.6, Spec Pool Tools; Credit Report FICO Program; Client and Market Trends For LOs to Monitor
Products, Services, and Software for Brokers and Lenders Yesterday this Commentary mentioned a guide titled, “AI in the Workplace: Acceptable Use Policies, Data Risk, and the Discovery Trap.” Many wrote for the piece, which is now posted on the internet! Spring EQ (NMLS# 1464945) is hosting a webinar next week (Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET) to help brokers capitalize on today’s home equity opportunity. With homeowners sitting on near-record levels of equity, including $34 trillion in total U.S. home equity, an average of $295,000 per homeowner, and 50% holding first mortgage rates
10th April, 26
No Whammies in CPI Data (And No Bond Market Reaction)
The median forecast for monthly core CPI was 0.28% (0.3 after rounding up for most econ calendars). Today's actual number was 0.196--obviously quite a bit lower than forecasts. In addition, supercore fell to .179 from .349. Despite those victories, forecasts correctly predicted a sharp rise in headline inflation which moved up from 2.4% to 3.3% year over year. Apparently, it's hard to get excited about buying bonds with headline inflation over 3%, no matter how much one expects it. Yields are actually modestly higher after the data, adding to modest overnight weakness. That said,
No Whammies in CPI Data (And No Bond Market Reaction)
The median forecast for monthly core CPI was 0.28% (0.3 after rounding up for most econ calendars). Today's actual number was 0.196--obviously quite a bit lower than forecasts. In addition, supercore fell to .179 from .349. Despite those victories, forecasts correctly predicted a sharp rise in headline inflation which moved up from 2.4% to 3.3% year over year. Apparently, it's hard to get excited about buying bonds with headline inflation over 3%, no matter how much one expects it. Yields are actually modestly higher after the data, adding to modest overnight weakness. That said,
9th April, 26
Roughly Unchanged After Moderate Headline-Driven Volatility
Roughly Unchanged After Moderate Headline-Driven Volatility As has been the recent custom, there were dueling headlines concerning the Iran war today with opposing claims regarding the status of the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire. If that sounds like kind of a stretch when it comes to bond market significance, bond traders agreed. That said, it was still traded to some extent. This resulted in mid-day volatility that took bonds from slightly weaker to slightly stronger territory, and then back to being roughly unchanged. Econ data was a relative non-event in the morning, but Friday's data has
Roughly Unchanged After Moderate Headline-Driven Volatility
Roughly Unchanged After Moderate Headline-Driven Volatility As has been the recent custom, there were dueling headlines concerning the Iran war today with opposing claims regarding the status of the Israel/Lebanon ceasefire. If that sounds like kind of a stretch when it comes to bond market significance, bond traders agreed. That said, it was still traded to some extent. This resulted in mid-day volatility that took bonds from slightly weaker to slightly stronger territory, and then back to being roughly unchanged. Econ data was a relative non-event in the morning, but Friday's data has
9th April, 26
Mortgage Rates Trickle Just a Bit Lower
Many borrowers will see no difference between yesterday and today's mortgage rate quotes. The average lender moved just a hair lower. Once again, the rate market is responding to war-related headlines and their impact on oil prices. Rates don't always care what oil prices are doing, but at present, there's more correlation than normal due to the inflation implications from a protracted conflict. Inflation is the true concern for bonds/rates when it comes to oil. Today's headlines involved various de-escalation anecdotes, mainly centering on Israel and Lebanon. Prior to those headlines, rates
Mortgage Rates Trickle Just a Bit Lower
Many borrowers will see no difference between yesterday and today's mortgage rate quotes. The average lender moved just a hair lower. Once again, the rate market is responding to war-related headlines and their impact on oil prices. Rates don't always care what oil prices are doing, but at present, there's more correlation than normal due to the inflation implications from a protracted conflict. Inflation is the true concern for bonds/rates when it comes to oil. Today's headlines involved various de-escalation anecdotes, mainly centering on Israel and Lebanon. Prior to those headlines, rates
9th April, 26
Commercial, UAD 3.6, Data Analysis Tools; AI Governance, Consistency, and Focusing on the Basics
VantageScore, created in 2006, is a joint venture by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Will it change your lending process? Possibly. Do government regulations change your lending process? States have trigger lead requirement overlays, over and above what was enacted at the Federal level in March. (Talk to your attorney.) Some states are rumored to be looking at bundling credit report fees, referring to the practice of combining various charges associated with obtaining credit reports into a single, all-inclusive fee, which can “help eliminate hidden costs,
Commercial, UAD 3.6, Data Analysis Tools; AI Governance, Consistency, and Focusing on the Basics
VantageScore, created in 2006, is a joint venture by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Will it change your lending process? Possibly. Do government regulations change your lending process? States have trigger lead requirement overlays, over and above what was enacted at the Federal level in March. (Talk to your attorney.) Some states are rumored to be looking at bundling credit report fees, referring to the practice of combining various charges associated with obtaining credit reports into a single, all-inclusive fee, which can “help eliminate hidden costs,
9th April, 26
Flood of Data. No Real Reaction. Back to Watching Headlines
The overnight session leading into this morning's open was completely sideways--especially compared to yesterday's example. The boatload of econ data line items did nothing to change that. Expectations weren't high anyway. GDP (Q4) and monthly PCE (February) are both too stale to matter. Jobless Claims were a mixed bag with initial claims rising substantially and continued claims falling off a cliff (lowest since May 2024). But again, bonds have done nothing with the data and trading levels are almost perfectly flat to start another day of watching war headlines.
Flood of Data. No Real Reaction. Back to Watching Headlines
The overnight session leading into this morning's open was completely sideways--especially compared to yesterday's example. The boatload of econ data line items did nothing to change that. Expectations weren't high anyway. GDP (Q4) and monthly PCE (February) are both too stale to matter. Jobless Claims were a mixed bag with initial claims rising substantially and continued claims falling off a cliff (lowest since May 2024). But again, bonds have done nothing with the data and trading levels are almost perfectly flat to start another day of watching war headlines.
8th April, 26
Bonds Lose Almost All The Overnight Gains
Bonds Lose Almost All The Overnight Gains Bonds rallied sharply overnight--adding onto an already decent rally yesterday afternoon that took 10yr yields from 4.38% to 4.23% in less than 24 hours. Now at Wednesday's close, we're back to unchanged levels near 4.30%. The move follows a similar correction seen in longer-term oil futures and, in a general sense, a news cycle that made the ceasefire seem increasingly tenuous as the day progressed. The absence of a bigger, sustained rally speaks to the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East as well as lingering impacts
Bonds Lose Almost All The Overnight Gains
Bonds Lose Almost All The Overnight Gains Bonds rallied sharply overnight--adding onto an already decent rally yesterday afternoon that took 10yr yields from 4.38% to 4.23% in less than 24 hours. Now at Wednesday's close, we're back to unchanged levels near 4.30%. The move follows a similar correction seen in longer-term oil futures and, in a general sense, a news cycle that made the ceasefire seem increasingly tenuous as the day progressed. The absence of a bigger, sustained rally speaks to the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East as well as lingering impacts