What More Quantitative Easing Could Mean   Historic, low home loan rates have been about the only thing stable in the economy these days. This low level mark breeds complacency, especially with the buzz in the air that rates may go even lower. But the question hangs in the air like humidity on a southern [...]

After reaching the lowest levels in decades, mortgage rates have shot higher over the past two weeks. There is not a simple explanation for why this happened, but looking at the many factors which are influencing mortgage rates right now will help to understand what’s going on. In short, when investors look ahead, they see [...]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the question: Can Mortgage Rates Go Any Lower??? I’ve approached the question from several angles. The “double-dip” great recession option is still on the table. That means we can’t rule out the idea that benchmark Treasury yields might return to record lows and take mortgage rates along for [...]

More strong selling in the stock market early this morning fueling more safety moves to treasuries and pushing mortgage prices higher. At 8:30 weekly jobless claims also added to equity market weakness. Claims were expected to have declined to 440,000 from 444,000 initially reported for the prior week; as reported claims jumped 25K to 471K; [...]

It is getting to be commonplace these days that every other day the stock market trades weaker and the bond market works better. This morning the futures trade on stock indexes is aiming to a lower open at 9:30 and as is the case the bond and mortgage markets are benefiting. This morning it is [...]

Last Week; treasuries and mortgages had a good week; the 10 yr yield fell 16 basis points and mortgages down 12 basis points. Most of the week markets focused on the debt issues in the European Union led by the cliff-hanging balancing on Greece’s potential sovereign debt defaults. It took weeks and down grades on [...]

Treasuries and mortgage markets rallied hard yesterday on the news that S&P downgraded Greece debt to junk status. The stock market was hit hard and safe haven moves drove all yields across the curve lower. The 10 yr declined 13 basis points, the 5 yr fell 14 basis points, the DJIA closed -213. The debt [...]

Friday’s bond market has opened in positive territory following early stock selling and weaker than expected economic news. The stock markets are showing significant weakness with the Dow down 104 points and the Nasdaq down 24 points. The bond market is currently up 7/32, which should improve this morning’s mortgage rates by approximately .125 of [...]