Generally Exciting, But Specifically Boring

Generally Exciting, But Specifically Boring

Heading into the present week, it was incredibly unlikely that we'd see any exciting volatility in the bond market this week.  At the very least, we knew that it was really only Friday's PCE data that carried any notable volatility potential. With 4 days down, the "boring" narrative has prevailed.  Like every other day this week, Thursday saw mild movement and low volatility with very little connection between events and market movement. But as it happens, the mild movements have all been in the same direction this week, and they're starting to add up. To wit: 10yr yields just hit their lowest 3pm CME close since August 4th and the 2nd lowest since April. MBS are doing even better and mortgage rates reflect that. 

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Generally Exciting But Specifically Boring

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.5 100.57 -0.03 10YR 4.219% +0.014% 8/29/2025 6:10AM EST
This morning's economic calendar only looks robust on paper.  While quarterly GDP results in numerous line items, they're not as important as they might sound. For instance, PCE prices are an important inflation index, but the version released with GDP applies to Q2 and is thus just revising already-released PCE data. Additionally, it is not capturing any of the July inflation that will be reported with tomorrow's monthly PCE.  The same "stale" factor applies to eve...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.50% -0.01% 15YR Fixed 5.86% -0.02% 8/28/2025
There is no singular, official primary source for mortgage rate levels. The going rate is whatever can be locked/closed at any given lender. As such, we rely on surveys and data aggregations in order to routinely monitor the probable going rate.  The longest-standing weekly survey from Freddie Mac was updated today and, while it showed a decline to the lowest levels since October 2024 (something we agree with), it is too slow-moving to reflect the current reality. Fred...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Friday, Aug 29
8:30AM Jul Personal Income (%) Jul 0.4% 0.3%
8:30AM Jul Inflation-Adjusted Spending (Consumption) (%) Jul 0.5% 0.3%
8:30AM Jul Wholesale inventories mm (%) Jul 0.2% 0.1%
8:30AM Jul Core PCE Inflation (y/y) (%) Jul 2.9% 2.8%
8:30AM Jul Core PCE (m/m) (%) Jul 0.3% 0.3%
9:45AM Aug Chicago PMI Aug 46 47.1
10:00AM Aug Consumer Sentiment (ip) Aug 58.6 61.7
10:00AM Aug Sentiment: 5y Inflation (%) Aug 3.9% 3.4%
10:00AM Aug Sentiment: 1y Inflation (%) Aug 4.9% 4.5%
10:00AM Aug U Mich conditions Aug 60.9 68.0
Monday, Sep 01
12:00AM Labor Day
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If you read nothing else below, read this: people are talking about stronger odds of a Fed rate cut in September. Some people assume this means mortgage rates would move lower after that potential rate cut.  Those people are wrong, and there is  memorable evidence  from late 2024 when mortgage rates moved quickly higher from long term lows mere days after the Fed's September rate cu... READ MORE