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18th June, 26
Mortgage Rates Stage Decent Recovery of Post-Fed Losses
Mortgage rates spiked yesterday after the Fed announcement. The primary driver was the Fed's revised outlook for potential rate hikes later this year. Because the Fed Funds Rate governs ultra-short-term transactions (24hrs or less), it has the biggest impact on the shortest-term debt and a diminishing impact on longer term debt. While the typical mortgage may be ABLE to last for 30 years, in practice, the average mortgage length (due to refinances and sales) is a moving target assumed to be around 5 years. That's helping us today. Shorter-term debt is still having some indigestion over
Mortgage Rates Stage Decent Recovery of Post-Fed Losses
Mortgage rates spiked yesterday after the Fed announcement. The primary driver was the Fed's revised outlook for potential rate hikes later this year. Because the Fed Funds Rate governs ultra-short-term transactions (24hrs or less), it has the biggest impact on the shortest-term debt and a diminishing impact on longer term debt. While the typical mortgage may be ABLE to last for 30 years, in practice, the average mortgage length (due to refinances and sales) is a moving target assumed to be around 5 years. That's helping us today. Shorter-term debt is still having some indigestion over
18th June, 26
Mortgage Applications Give Back Some of Last Week's Gains
Mortgage applications pulled back last week as rates moved around in response to fresh inflation data and shifting geopolitical headlines. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 3.8% decline in total application volume on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending June 12. Refinance activity accounted for much of the slowdown. The Refinance Index fell 5% from the previous week, though it remained 17% above the same period one year ago. Purchase demand also softened, but has generally done a better job of holding near multi-year highs. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index
Mortgage Applications Give Back Some of Last Week's Gains
Mortgage applications pulled back last week as rates moved around in response to fresh inflation data and shifting geopolitical headlines. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 3.8% decline in total application volume on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending June 12. Refinance activity accounted for much of the slowdown. The Refinance Index fell 5% from the previous week, though it remained 17% above the same period one year ago. Purchase demand also softened, but has generally done a better job of holding near multi-year highs. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index
18th June, 26
Builder Sentiment Remains Subdued
Builder sentiment slipped again in June as elevated mortgage rates, higher material costs and ongoing affordability pressures continued to weigh on the housing market. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) fell two points to 35 , marking the 14th straight month the index has remained below 40. The latest reading underscores how far confidence remains from more durable levels. A streak that long below 40 has not been seen since 2011-2012 , when the market was still dealing with the fallout from the foreclosure crisis. All three major components
Builder Sentiment Remains Subdued
Builder sentiment slipped again in June as elevated mortgage rates, higher material costs and ongoing affordability pressures continued to weigh on the housing market. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) fell two points to 35 , marking the 14th straight month the index has remained below 40. The latest reading underscores how far confidence remains from more durable levels. A streak that long below 40 has not been seen since 2011-2012 , when the market was still dealing with the fallout from the foreclosure crisis. All three major components
18th June, 26
Non-QM, Hedging, Verification Products; Training Webinars; Title Insurance Stats
Lots of people who bought cars during the pandemic are deeply underwater on those vehicles, meaning the amount they owe is considerably higher than the actual value of the vehicle. Among car buyers who traded in a car to buy a new one, 30 percent had negative equity on their trade-in, owing an average of $7,200. One thing that may have caused the surge is the emergence of the 84-month (seven year) car loan; 42.6 percent of underwater buyers had an 84-month loan, about double the level of a decade ago. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Truework,
Non-QM, Hedging, Verification Products; Training Webinars; Title Insurance Stats
Lots of people who bought cars during the pandemic are deeply underwater on those vehicles, meaning the amount they owe is considerably higher than the actual value of the vehicle. Among car buyers who traded in a car to buy a new one, 30 percent had negative equity on their trade-in, owing an average of $7,200. One thing that may have caused the surge is the emergence of the 84-month (seven year) car loan; 42.6 percent of underwater buyers had an 84-month loan, about double the level of a decade ago. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Truework,
18th June, 26
Deal Signed. Warsh Digested. Bonds Stabilizing
Trump officially signed the Iran MOU last night , which helped oil prices and bond yields move a bit lower. Overseas markets also did a decent job digesting the post-Warsh trade, quarantining most of the damage to the shortest end of the yield curve and buying the longer end (i.e. 10yr rallied back almost completely while 2yr barely rallied). The net effect is a 10yr yield that is back on the doorstep of the 4.42% technical floor (currently 4.435%). MBS have a shorter implied duration than 10 years and only a bit better than halfway back to yesterday's pre-Fed levels. As a reminder, markets
Deal Signed. Warsh Digested. Bonds Stabilizing
Trump officially signed the Iran MOU last night , which helped oil prices and bond yields move a bit lower. Overseas markets also did a decent job digesting the post-Warsh trade, quarantining most of the damage to the shortest end of the yield curve and buying the longer end (i.e. 10yr rallied back almost completely while 2yr barely rallied). The net effect is a 10yr yield that is back on the doorstep of the 4.42% technical floor (currently 4.435%). MBS have a shorter implied duration than 10 years and only a bit better than halfway back to yesterday's pre-Fed levels. As a reminder, markets
17th June, 26
Bonds Tell Warsh What They Think of His Changes
Bonds Tell Warsh What They Think of His Changes Ironically, one of Warsh's comments in today's press conference was that market movement is the most important source of information for the Fed. At the same time, the market was effectively saying that it was also fond of hearing what was on the Fed's mind, and if the Fed is going to stop sharing those thoughts, the market was going to cry about it. This certainly wasn't the whole story as the hawkish dot plot did about half the damage well before the press conference. One could also argue that some traders may have expected Warsh to do
Bonds Tell Warsh What They Think of His Changes
Bonds Tell Warsh What They Think of His Changes Ironically, one of Warsh's comments in today's press conference was that market movement is the most important source of information for the Fed. At the same time, the market was effectively saying that it was also fond of hearing what was on the Fed's mind, and if the Fed is going to stop sharing those thoughts, the market was going to cry about it. This certainly wasn't the whole story as the hawkish dot plot did about half the damage well before the press conference. One could also argue that some traders may have expected Warsh to do
17th June, 26
Mortgage Rates Spike in Response to Fed
Mortgage rates quickly erased a week of progress this afternoon following the Fed announcement and press conference. Fed announcement day historically has several components: the announcement itself, the summary of economic projections (SEP), and the press conference. Within the SEP, there is the dot plot showing each Fed member's assumptions about where the Fed Funds Rate will be in the future if the economy continues on the expected course. "The dots" only come out every other Fed meeting, but they have a habit of causing volatile market reactions. Today's was no exception. The dots
Mortgage Rates Spike in Response to Fed
Mortgage rates quickly erased a week of progress this afternoon following the Fed announcement and press conference. Fed announcement day historically has several components: the announcement itself, the summary of economic projections (SEP), and the press conference. Within the SEP, there is the dot plot showing each Fed member's assumptions about where the Fed Funds Rate will be in the future if the economy continues on the expected course. "The dots" only come out every other Fed meeting, but they have a habit of causing volatile market reactions. Today's was no exception. The dots
17th June, 26
Here's What Changed in The New Fed Announcement
Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at The Federal Open Market Committee approved the following statement for release by a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices. 12 – 0 vote: The Committee seeks decided to achieve maximum employment and inflation maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Developments 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in the Middle
Here's What Changed in The New Fed Announcement
Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at The Federal Open Market Committee approved the following statement for release by a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, on average, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices. 12 – 0 vote: The Committee seeks decided to achieve maximum employment and inflation maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Developments 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in the Middle
17th June, 26
NMLS Review, Fraud Monitor, Margin Mgt. Tools; Mortgage Products Shifting... Progressive's "Uppayment"?
Here in Honolulu, as it is in places like Florida and New York, the condo market and HOA fees are of paramount importance, as are the affordability impact of special assessments. Even though the inventory of houses for sale has steadily increased in many areas, some people want more. One idea being bantered about is changing, or eliminating, the capital gains tax on the sale of primary residences. Money talks, and as this veteran LO points out, a housing crash won’t fix affordability. A crackdown on H-1B visas is causing Indian buyers to leave the Dallas housing market, meaning skilled
NMLS Review, Fraud Monitor, Margin Mgt. Tools; Mortgage Products Shifting... Progressive's "Uppayment"?
Here in Honolulu, as it is in places like Florida and New York, the condo market and HOA fees are of paramount importance, as are the affordability impact of special assessments. Even though the inventory of houses for sale has steadily increased in many areas, some people want more. One idea being bantered about is changing, or eliminating, the capital gains tax on the sale of primary residences. Money talks, and as this veteran LO points out, a housing crash won’t fix affordability. A crackdown on H-1B visas is causing Indian buyers to leave the Dallas housing market, meaning skilled
17th June, 26
What Are Bonds Waiting For?
So far today, we've seen some war-related headlines that feel like they should have gotten at least a mild response (Trump saying MOU isn't final and could go back to dropping bombs) and a Retail Sales report that speaks to ongoing economic expansion at a faster-than-expected pace. Both of those things argue for something other than a modest rally in bonds, yet that is exactly what we're seeing. If it weren't for the absence of any major response in other markets, we might wonder what bonds were smoking, or whether they're waiting for bigger news. On that note, the whole market actually is
What Are Bonds Waiting For?
So far today, we've seen some war-related headlines that feel like they should have gotten at least a mild response (Trump saying MOU isn't final and could go back to dropping bombs) and a Retail Sales report that speaks to ongoing economic expansion at a faster-than-expected pace. Both of those things argue for something other than a modest rally in bonds, yet that is exactly what we're seeing. If it weren't for the absence of any major response in other markets, we might wonder what bonds were smoking, or whether they're waiting for bigger news. On that note, the whole market actually is