MARKET NEWS & TRENDS

Rates Still Flat at 8-Month Lows

- 06/26/2017

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, depending on the lender. Underlying financial markets continue moving in a narrow range--something that's not uncommon for the first few weeks of the summer. It's that market movement that can result in mortgage lenders issuing mid-day reprices. The more volatile and the bigger the moves, the more likely lenders are to reprice. Today saw zero reprices.

Rates may have risen this morning were it not for weaker economic data. In general, weaker data tends to drive demand for the safe-haven of the bond market (which results in lower rates). This morning's Durable Goods data was noticeably weaker, and bonds improved immediately following its release at 8:30am. Though the...

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June 20, 2017

- 06/20/2017

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, with underlying bond markets essentially erasing the damage seen yesterday. This was neither here nor there for the mortgage world as most lenders didn't adjust rates much higher yesterday (despite bond weakness).

Thus, they didn't have much to do today when bonds strengthened. In general "bond market strength" = lower rates and vice versa.

There were no significant economic reports or major market-moving headlines today--at least not for rates. Oil prices and political headlines might make the evening news, but neither were directly responsible for the bond market improvement.

The absence of change continues to be a good thing given...

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