South Korea... Martial Law... And a Bond Rally?

South Korea... Martial Law... And a Bond Rally?

Of all of the motivations in all the markets, this one had to walk into ours.  Or perhaps it rolled in on tank tracks.  Just over an hour ago, South Korea's president declared martial law.  If you don't follow Korean politics, yes, this is a head scratcher.  Upon verifying the authenticity of the headlines, rather than scratch their heads, investors simply bought bonds in a classic, modest safe haven rally.  This has been the dominant theme so far this morning, turning modest overnight losses to modest early morning gains.  The forthcoming JOLTS data could change or accelerate the move.

Market Movement Recap
09:36 AM

Slightly weaker overnight, then stronger on geopolitical headlines.  MBS up 2 ticks (.06) and 10yr down 1.7bps at 4.177

10:55 AM

At the lows of the day with MBS now unchanged and 10yr up 1.2bps at 4.206

Latest Video Analysis

Bonds Hold Vast Majority of Last Week's Gains

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.5 99.79 -0.09 10YR 4.224% +0.030% 12/3/2024 5:00PM EST
Selling has continued fairly steadily, but at a slow pace following the JOLTS data.  MBS are now down 2 ticks (.06) on the day and just over an eighth of a point from the AM highs (which coincided with some lenders' rate sheet print times).  As such, some of the jumpier lenders could be considering negative reprices. 10yr yields are now up 2bps at domestic session highs of 4.214.   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.85% -0.01% 15YR Fixed 6.05% -0.01% 12/3/2024
Mortgage rates remain elevated relative to the levels seen in September and early October, but they've definitely moved down a bit from their recent highs.  Thanksgiving week saw the lowest daily average rate in exactly a month, but there's never a guarantee the rate market will look the same on the following week.  Thankfully, it's almost perfectly unchanged this time around. The average lender is still able to offer top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates just u...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Tuesday, Dec 03
6:00AM Nov LMI Logistics Managers Index Current Nov 58.4 58.9
8:55AM Nov/30 Redbook yy (%) Nov/30 7.4% 4.9%
10:00AM Oct JOLTs Job Quits Oct 3.326M 3.071M
10:00AM Oct USA JOLTS Job Openings Oct 7.744M 7.48M 7.443M
10:10AM Dec IBD economic optimism Dec 54 54.1 53.2
11:30AM 26-Week Bill Auction (bl) 75
11:30AM 42-Day Bill Auction (%) 4.400% 4.480%
12:35PM Fed Kugler Speech
3:45PM Fed Golsbee Speech
4:30PM Nov/29 API weekly crude stocks (ml) Nov/29 1.232M -2.06M -5.935M
6:00PM Nov Total Vehicle Sales (ml) Nov 16.5M 16M 16M
Wednesday, Dec 04
7:00AM Nov/29 MBA 30-yr mortgage rate (%) Nov/29 6.86%
7:00AM Nov/29 MBA Mortgage Applications Nov/29 6.3%
7:00AM Nov/29 Mortgage Market Index Nov/29 208.0
7:00AM Nov/29 MBA Refi Index Nov/29 501.7
7:00AM Nov/29 MBA Purchase Index Nov/29 152.9
8:15AM Nov ADP jobs (k) Nov 150K 233K
8:45AM Fed Musalem Speech
8:45AM Fed Musalem Speech
9:45AM Nov S&P Global Composite PMI Nov 55.3 54.1
9:45AM Nov S&P Global Services PMI Nov 57 55
10:00AM Oct Factory orders mm (%) Oct 0.2% -0.5%
10:00AM Oct Factory ex-transp mm (% ) Oct 0.1%
10:00AM Nov ISM Services Prices Nov 58.1
10:00AM Nov ISM Services New Orders Nov 57.4
10:00AM Nov ISM Services Employment Nov 53.0
10:00AM Nov ISM Biz Activity Nov 57.2
10:00AM Nov ISM N-Mfg PMI Nov 55.5 56
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Refinery Crude Runs Change Nov/29 0.067M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Heating Oil Stocks Change Nov/29 -1.134M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Gasoline Stocks Change Nov/29 0.73M 3.314M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Gasoline Production Change Nov/29 0.457M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Distillate Fuel Production Change Nov/29 0.259M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Distillate Stocks Change Nov/29 2.27M 0.416M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Crude Oil Imports Change Nov/29 -1.886M
10:30AM Nov/29 Crude Oil Inventory (ml) Nov/29 -2.06M -1.844M
10:30AM Nov/29 EIA Cushing Crude Oil Stocks Change Nov/29 -0.909M
11:30AM 17-Week Bill Auction (%) 4.390%
1:45PM Fed Chair Powell Speech
2:00PM Fed Beige Book
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After embarking on a volatile journey in early October, the past 2 weeks have been calmer for mortgage rates.  The present week was especially uneventful relative to the past 2 months.  The following chart measures volatility in the underlying bond market, which is the precursor for mortgage rate movement. As such, it's no surprise to see volatility subside in mortgage rates.&nbs... READ MORE