One short week after witnessing a return of interest rate volatility, it disappeared again this week. Sure, there were some small-scale ups and downs throughout the week, but in the bigger picture, investors are wrestling with bigger decisions.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Too Soon to Think About The Next Recession?

Last week marked an abrupt end to the gentle, sideways-to-slightly-lower trend in interest rates that had been intact since late February. This week, things got worse.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Interest Rate Volatility Comes Roaring Back

2018 began with a massive spike in interest rates. It was the proverbial big bad wolf for housing markets and for financial markets in general, or so we’re told. Refreshingly, the wolf was on vacation in March, but now he’s back, huffing and puffing.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Housing Market Not Very Scared of Big Bad Wolf

Do the President’s tweets really move rates? Of course that’s going to depend on what he says, so let’s take a look at this week specifically. Tweets relating to missiles, Syria, and Putin got a lot of attention. At times, it seemed like the biggest issue of the week as far as rates were concerned.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Do Interest Rates Really Care About Trump Tweets?

One great (frustrating) thing about financial market discourse is the fact that so many words have more than one meaning. “Test” is a good example. Among market analysts, “test” can refer to a line on a chart attempting to break through a certain barrier. With that in mind, this week saw several important tests, and next week promises at least one more.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Lowest Rates in 2 Months Face Big Test Next Week

It’s no secret that late 2017 and early 2018 were anything but pleasant for fans of low rates. Average mortgage rates and Treasury yields shot higher at their fastest pace since the 2016 presidential election. Even after that spike, there are still plenty of reasons to fear they may continue higher, and that’s exactly why they could go lower.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Could The Top Already Be In For Rates?

This week’s most prevalent financial headlines focused on the risk of a global trade war as the White House took its first official steps toward raising tariffs on goods imported from China. Although the stock market seemed to care quite a bit, interest rates and housing data were relatively unfazed. Here’s why:
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Why Housing And Rates Are Mostly Ignoring Trade War Drama

It’s no great mystery that refinance activity slows to crawl any time rates are at long-term highs, but what about the purchase market? While there are some challenges (inventory, affordability, etc.), purchases aren’t simply ‘surviving’ the recent upturn in rates.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
It's All About The Purchase Market Right Now

Last week ended with rates at risk of shifting sideways after a decent recovery from multi-year highs. Not only did rates go sideways. They didn’t move at all!
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
A Truly Uncanny Week For Mortgage Rates

There were two key considerations for financial markets this week: the first congressional testimony by new Fed Chair Jerome Powell and the announcement of new trade tariffs by the White House. Both caused volatility in the short term and raised questions for the future.
Source: Kevin Litwicki Universal Lending
Market Reacts to Tariffs and New Fed Chair