Slower Start, More Sideways. Stock Lever in Play

Slower Start, More Sideways. Stock Lever in Play

Volume and volatility is lower this morning compared to yesterday, but the same theme of risk aversion looks to be in play, probably.  Why "probably?" Because the theme in question (risk aversion, or what we sometimes refer to as the "stock lever") oftentimes makes it hard to distinguish between correlation and causality. All we know so far today is that both stocks and bond yields are sightly higher from yesterday's lows and have been generally sideways so far today. The econ calendar remains light in terms of importance, despite plenty of line items.

Market Movement Recap
08:57 AM

Mostly flat overnight and not much movement so far. MBS down 1 tick (.03) and 10yr up 0.8bps at 4.04

01:49 PM

Modest recover after AM weakness. MBS down 1 tick (.03) again after being down 3 ticks (.09) at 10am. 10yr down 0.3bps at 4.030

Latest Video Analysis

General Risk Aversion Trade Helping Bonds

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.0 100.36 -0.05 10YR 4.038% +0.005% 2/23/2026 7:42PM EST
Volume and volatility is lower this morning compared to yesterday, but the same theme of risk aversion looks to be in play, probably.  Why "probably?" Because the theme in question (risk aversion, or what we sometimes refer to as the "stock lever") oftentimes makes it hard to distinguish between correlation and causality. All we know so far today is that both stocks and bond yields are sightly higher from yesterday's lows and have been generally sideways so far today. Th...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 5.99% +0.00% 15YR Fixed 5.58% -0.02% 2/24/2026
This coverage is coming out earlier than normal due to a more interesting headline than normal. The average top-tier 30yr fixed rate fell back to 5.99% today, matching the levels seen only briefly back on January 9th, 2026 when the Fannie/Freddie bond buying plans were announced. Much like the last time, there's always a risk that something happens to prompt a bond market reversal today. If that happens, mortgage lenders could raise rates in the middle of the day.  B...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Tuesday, Feb 24
8:00AM Fed Golsbee Speech
8:15AM ADP Employment Change Weekly 12.75K 10.25K
9:00AM Dec FHFA Home Price Index m/m (%) Dec 0.1% 0.3% 0.6%
9:00AM Dec CaseShiller 20 mm nsa (%) Dec -0.1% 0%
9:00AM Dec FHFA Home Prices y/y (%) Dec 1.8% 1.9%
9:00AM Dec Case Shiller Home Prices-20 y/y (% ) Dec 1.4% 1.4% 1.4%
9:00AM Fed Bostic Speech
9:00AM Fed Collins Speech
9:15AM Fed Waller Speech
9:30AM Fed Cook Speech
10:00AM Feb CB Consumer Confidence (%) Feb 91.2 87 84.5
1:00PM 2-Yr Note Auction (bl) 69
3:15PM Fed Barkin Speech
3:15PM Fed Collins Speech
9:00PM President Trump State of the Union Speech (%)
Wednesday, Feb 25
7:00AM Feb/20 MBA Purchase Index Feb/20 157.1
7:00AM Feb/20 MBA Refi Index Feb/20 1375.9
7:00AM Feb/20 Mortgage Market Index Feb/20 339.0
9:35AM Fed Barkin Speech
10:30AM Feb/20 Crude Oil Inventory (ml) Feb/20 -9.014M
11:30AM 2-Yr Note Auction (bl) 28
11:30AM 2-Year FRN Auction (%) 0.099%
1:00PM 5-Yr Note Auction (bl) 70
1:20PM Fed Musalem Speech
Read My Latest Newsletter
In addition to being shortened by Monday's holiday, this week's economic data didn't spark any big reactions in the bond market. Even after The Supreme Court ruled against certain recently-applied tariffs, rates managed to end the week right in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 years. The bond market dictates interest rates, and the tariff news was the biggest event of the week fo... READ MORE