Category Archives for "Mortgage Industry News"
This week brought a decidedly positive inclination for interest rates, demonstrating a greater acceptance of news favoring lower rates and a determined effort to disregard negative news. However, a significant economic report this week tested this optimistic bias. The Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP), the headline feature of the Labor Department’s Employment Situation report and the most crucial among all job market reports, defied expectations with an unprecedented high result. Despite what seemed like a standard pattern in the nonfarm payrolls chart and a past record of higher job counts, the surprising figure of 272k for Friday outpaced the median forecast of 185k.
This unprecedented leap, an incredible climb from the previous 165k, appeared as a strong indicator of a labor market too robust to significantly impact the inflation issue. Indeed, the healthier employment scene implies more earnings and consumer spending. Consequently, the bond market’s bright perspective encountered a challenge too significant to disregard. Hence, the only motivation for mortgage rates to surge higher materialized this week.
However, the chart also highlights a silver lining. Although rates increased on Friday, they have yet to reach half of the previous week’s peak, let alone the end-of-April highs. A possible explanation for this resilience could be that the bond market prioritizes inflation information and the Federal Reserve’s interpretation when determining the level of concern about obstacles to lower rates. Please note, the source of the information is not included in this summary.
Continue readingWhether owing to the fateful blend of Treasury auction schedules and the onset of new month trading, or an authentic reaction to Monday’s ISM Manufacturing data, apparent agility was noted in the bond market prepping for an alteration in the economic growth rate. This view was so deeply ingrained that even an impressive ISM Non-Manufacturing result on Wednesday failed to hinder it. However, the morning’s phenomenal surplus in nonfarm payrolls (272k vs expected 185k) led the bond enthusiasts to submit to some degree.
So far, bonds haven’t responded positively.
If there is a silver lining, it’s based on the fact that yields have risen merely into the initial 4.4’s—not even mid-way to the zeniths of the previous week.
Continue readingInteresting, isn’t it? Michigan has outpaced California in sales of legal cannabis. However, locals in San Diego appear unbothered, with many residents consistently contributing to the cannabis market. Changes are indeed the only unchanging factor in life, just as time continues to race ahead. Enjoy this factoid: Chuck Norris is now 84, Jerry Seinfeld has touched 70, Vanna White has hit 67, and our beloved “Captain Jack Sparrow” is a ripe 60. Loan originators and lenders recognise business as a cycle and are prepping for the upcoming refinance rush. Today, top loan officers and lenders manage around 20-30 percent of their pandemic work level from 2020 and 2021. Tracking the course of months and years, it has been observed that the funded mortgage volume in May 2024 witnessed a 5 percent annual decline but a 9 percent monthly rise. Similarly, the retail channel saw a 10 percent tumble YoY and a similar 9 percent monthly bounce. This information is based on substantial data gathered straight from lenders for benchmark calculations. Today’s podcast, and the ones set for the rest of the week, are brought to you by Visio Lending, the leading nationwide lender for long-term investors, with a record of over 2.5 billion closed loans for single-family rental homes, including those used for holidays. Listen to a conversation with journalist Steven Rappoport, discussing the present home-equity market and technology’s proliferation in the sector to help lenders secure business. Lenders and Brokers seeking software, products, and services might be tired of extended contracts, failed implementations, or the necessity to alter processes to match their Loan Origination System. Take a glance at what content Byte customers have known for years in this video. You don’t need to continue wrestling with a sluggish, high-priced LOS platform or forfeit functionality to reduce your expenditure. Crafted for power and adaptability, the Byte LOS platform allows full control over your loan process and the liberty to conduct business as you wish. If you’re a clever, independently-minded lender firm on executing your operation your way, you might want to request a demo or visit bytesoftware.com for more information.
Continue readingOn the cusp of significant market events, the performance of bonds continued to improve, albeit at a diminishing rate throughout the week. The slowdown was anticipated as the market, currently skewing bullish, awaits data that will confirm or reject this positive trend. After consecutive growth over five days and an unexpected surge after the ISM Services, the somewhat stable showing today implies underlying optimism for encouraging future data. As for the upcoming ‘main event’, uncertainty lingers on whether Friday’s jobs report will steal the limelight from the much-anticipated CPI next week.
In terms of economic data and events, the jobless claims stood at 229k, higher than the forecasted 220k and previous 221k. Challenger layoffs remained at 63.8k, matching the forecast.
Analyzing market movements, there was a moderate dip right after midnight which saw a slight recovery in the 9am hour. 10-year bonds had increased by 1.4bps clocking in at 4.29, while MBS dropped 1 tick (.03). By early afternoon, the market hovered around opening levels with MBS down 2 ticks (.06) and 10-year bonds increasing by 2bps to 4.295. Later in the afternoon, treasuries were close to their prime levels, but still up by 0.8bps at 4.284, while MBS fell by another tick (.03).
Continue readingThe direction of interest rates, whether they rise or fall, will hinge on specific economic reports’ results. Essentially, two reports are of greater significance concerning this, both of which will be available by the coming Wednesday. The imminent employment report holds a considerable amount of urgency. Although it might not be as crucial as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) scheduled for next Wednesday, it undoubtedly has the potential to significantly impact rates for the day. Today’s data, in contrast, had minimal importance and led to bonds moving sideways following an impressive run of wins over the previous five working days. As a rule, bonds directly control the daily fluctuations in interest rates, and hence, today’s mortgage rates, as expected, were in perfect alignment with those of yesterday.
Continue readingFor the past three weeks, we’ve eagerly awaited this current week’s data, and it has indeed delivered, fueling a heightened interest in the bond market. Furthermore, this interest has predominantly driven rates downwards. For the first time, today presented no significant economic data and, correspondingly, there was no clear bond rally. It’s worth noting, however, that there was also no significant selling. It appears today is set to be a calm consolidation day, paving the way for tomorrow’s jobs report. However, the impact of this report might not be standard, considering the impending CPI next Wednesday.
The sole high-profile event of the morning was the European Central Bank (ECB) announcement, though it barely caused a ripple– the US bond market in particular remained largely unfazed. Anticipated and telegraphed almost entirely by the ECB itself, the ECB’s first rate cut since 2019 did not surprise markets. Consequently, markets shifted their attention to more nuanced details.
Following the release of the 8:30am Jobless Claims data, there was a brief period of instability, but it was soon resolved. Current yields are maintaining the range established by this short-lived volatility. No further economic reports are anticipated today.
Continue readingIn an unexpected turn of events today, the bond market deviated from the norm. An key economic indicator – the ISM Services PMI – exceeded median forecasts by quite a significant margin, forecast to usually trigger a prompt weakness in the bond market. This anticipated chain of events occurred initially, leading to a decrease in 10-year Treasury yields by several basis points. However, the bonds quickly recovered, reaching the day’s prime levels and remained there for the rest of the day.
While the attribution of this phenomenon to the inputs of the data is somewhat speculative, it does provide an explanation. Additional factors could include the expectation of more manageable inflation data in the coming week along with moderate job creation data expected this Friday.
As for economic data and events, the ADP Employment showed a total of 152k versus a forecast of 175k and a previous value of 192k.
The market moved minimally overnight, with ADP jobs showing little effect. By 08:17 AM, MBS showed no movement and the 10yr yield decreased marginally to 4.319. ISM data led to some instability, with 10yr yields momentarily increasing to 4.358. However, the yields dropped back by 1.5bps to 4.31+ by 10:38 AM and MBS recovered slightly.
As of 11:24 AM, the market was at its peak for the day. The 10yr was down 3.6bps at 4.291 and MBS increased by 5 ticks (.16). By 02:25 PM, the market remained relatively stable, trading levels remained consistent as the last update.
Continue readingThe concept of being “data dependent” is deeply embedded in the current bond market psychology, and for a compelling reason. Trustworthy indications of weaker economic trends invariably lead the Federal Reserve to implement rate cuts when necessary. This principle is particularly applicable to inflation-specific data, though other data sets also merit consideration. A report was published today that seemed to deviate from the expected data-dependent pattern.
Each month, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) releases an index called the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), that tracks the state of the service sector. Excluding the highest-ranking economic reports, ISM PMIs represent some of the most significant data influencing the rate market. The most recent PMI for Services exceeded expectations, outperforming them by a significant margin – an outcome that would typically lead to negative impacts on rates.
This indeed was the bond market’s initial reaction. However, the initial response quickly shifted, leading to an eventual drop in rates by day’s end. While it’s unclear what prompted this turnaround, a slightly decreased pressure on prices highlighted in the report might have played a part. When coupled with similar findings in the Manufacturing PMI delivered by ISM earlier this week, it raises the possibility that the crucial Consumer Price Index (CPI) to be released next week may follow suit. The average mortgage lender has edged closer to the lowest level witnessed since early April, with mid-May only slightly better.
Continue readingISM generates two PMIs, both popular triggers for market fluctuations. The service sector edition typically has a larger impact. Observers might find it disconcerting to learn that it reached 53.8, compared to an average expectation of 50.8. Consequently, it’s not a shock to witness a swift 5bps increase in 10 year yields. Nonetheless, that’s not the entirety of the story. Within a quarter of an hour of the release, bonds made a U-turn and reverted to pre-release figures. This could convey a sentiment of “we acknowledge the robust economic headline, but we’re not persuaded that we need to deviate from the anticipation of generally lackluster financial data.” If the bond market were to replicate such resolve in the face of the upcoming NFP or next week’s CPI, it would be a commendable achievement. However, for the time being, there is no cause for disagreement.
Continue readingToday, I’m journeying to San Diego, a city that’s believed to host between 300,000 to half a million feral cats. Fun fact for cat devotees – if you sound out “homeowner”, you’ll find “meow” hidden in there if you pronounce it! As for my own cat, Myrtle, she is a fiercely independent spirit who’s unimpressed with the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, despite apparently approving of certain members of its staff. What particularly irks her it seems, is the perceived overreach and oppressive tendencies of the CFPB. (Details to follow.)
Changing gear now, but keeping with the theme of regulatory oversight, newly proposed legislation in California will make it compulsory for cars to alert drivers when they exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or more. The legislation, known as SB 961, stipulates that by 2029, at least 50% of all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the state, will be required to feature passive speed limiters. By 2032, every new vehicle sold must feature this technology. The proposed law is currently under consideration and, if enacted, will be applicable to all passenger cars within the state.
In other news, GVC Mortgage’s Branch Manager, Clark Jarstfer, recently shared his experience using Truv. The digital income and employment software allowed him to quickly validate a client’s earnings, ultimately cutting down the closing time by 2-3 days and saving up to 80% with free re-verifications. He no longer needed to wait for the borrower’s most recent pay stub, instead, he was able to quickly pull a fresh report and confirm the client’s steady overtime earnings. It certainly makes things faster and easier, doesn’t it? You may want to consider requesting a Truv demo today.
Continue reading