Mixed ISM Data Keeps Bonds In The Game

Mixed ISM Data Keeps Bonds In The Game

The ISM Services Index is/was easily this week's biggest ticket in terms of scheduled economic data. It was mostly OK for bonds with the growth-related components coming in slightly weaker. But the "prices paid" component remains problematic. At 69.9 vs 67.5 previously, the price component is at another new post-pandemic high for the 4th time this year. And of course, inflation is the biggest impediment to lower rates at the moment.  Nonetheless, the remainder of the report was downbeat enough to offset the inflation implications, but just barely. Bonds are now just about unchanged after starting the day slightly weaker.

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MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.5 100.22 -0.01 10YR 4.215% +0.022% 8/5/2025 5:00PM EST
The ISM Services Index is/was easily this week's biggest ticket in terms of scheduled economic data. It was mostly OK for bonds with the growth-related components coming in slightly weaker. But the "prices paid" component remains problematic. At 69.9 vs 67.5 previously, the price component is at another new post-pandemic high for the 4th time this year. And of course, inflation is the biggest impediment to lower rates at the moment.  Nonetheless, the remainder of the rep...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.58% +0.01% 15YR Fixed 5.93% +0.02% 8/5/2025
Mortgage rates are driven by movement in the bond market and bonds take cues from economic data, among other things. The monthly jobs report is routinely the most closely watched economic report as far as bonds are concerned and Friday's caused a significant amount of bond buying (which, in turn, pushes rates down). Friday's reaction was so big that the average mortgage lender didn't fully adjust their rate offerings to match the market movement. This is typical of very la...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Tuesday, Aug 05
8:30AM Jun Trade Gap (bl) Jun $-60.2B $-61.6B $-71.5B
9:45AM Jul S&P Global Services PMI Jul 55.7 55.2 52.9
9:45AM Jul S&P Global Composite PMI Jul 55.1 54.6 52.9
10:00AM Jul ISM N-Mfg PMI Jul 50.1 51.5 50.8
10:00AM Jul ISM Services Employment Jul 46.4 47.2
10:00AM Jul ISM Services New Orders Jul 50.3 51.3
10:00AM Jul ISM Services Prices Jul 69.9 67.5
10:00AM Jul ISM Biz Activity Jul 52.6 54.2
10:10AM Aug IBD economic optimism Aug 50.9 49.2 48.6
1:00PM 3-Yr Note Auction (bl) 58
Wednesday, Aug 06
7:00AM Aug/01 MBA Purchase Index Aug/01 155.6
7:00AM Aug/01 MBA Refi Index Aug/01 739.3
10:30AM Aug/01 Crude Oil Inventory (ml) Aug/01 0.2M 7.698M
1:00PM 10-yr Note Auction (bl) 42
2:00PM Fed Cook Speech
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Last week, we said all bets were off until we saw Friday’s jobs report—and that no other piece of economic data moves mortgage rates more reliably. This week proved why that warning is always worth repeating. It’s not that the rest of the week was boring. In fact, the calendar from Monday through Thursday was packed with potentially interesting updates. Highlights included the... READ MORE