This week’s newsletter is all about context when it comes to economic data and market movement. One point of view may provide a clear takeaway while zooming out completely changes the picture.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Best Month For Home Price Gains in Over a Year, But Context Matters

Mortgage rates pulled back this week as the bond market digested geopolitical tension. Tuesday morning was the worst of it, and the rest of the week was marked by gradual de-escalation.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Tougher Week For Rates, But Mortgage Apps Soar to 3 Year High

First thing’s first: if we take the last 5 days out of the equation, today’s mortgage rates are still the lowest since early 2023. But they spent most of those last 5 days moving up from even lower levels.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Mortgage Rates Actually Moved a Bit Higher This Week, But Remain Near Multi-Year Lows

A shocking announcement by the President sent mortgage rates to 3 year lows this week.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Mortgage Rates Back in The 5's. Here's Why

The two most important economic reports of the month were released this week. Both showed promising results for rates, and although rates improved, the reaction was smaller than expected.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Mortgage Market in Holiday Mode Despite Big-Ticket Data

Friends don’t let friends believe the myth that Fed rate cuts result in lower mortgage rates.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Once Again, Fed Rate Cut Was Meaningless For Mortgage Rates

December 10th will be the most interesting Fed announcement in more than a year.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Are Rates About to Make a Move Because of The Fed?

This week marked the return of delayed economic data from the government shutdown. Specifically, we received the important jobs report that was set to come out in early October.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Jobs Report and Stock Losses Help Rates Hold The Range

After the longest shutdown in history the U.S. government reopened on Thursday. As expected, this has added a bit of upward pressure for rates.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
Mortgage Rates Near 2-Month Highs; What to Expect With Gov Reopening; What's up With 50yr Mortgage News?

Rates are dictated by bonds and bonds take cues from economic data. But during the shutdown, the most important data has been on hold. This week brought a rare concentration of non-government data to help bridge the gap and bonds were more than willing to respond.
Source: Kevin Litwicki MBSLIVE
A Rare Week of Data Brings Friends and Foes For Rates