Mortgage Advisor & VA Loan Specialist
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Simple, Strong Correlation With Oil Leaves Yields Lower

Simple, Strong Correlation With Oil Leaves Yields Lower

There's no sense in overcomplicating today's trading session. Oil was down significantly and so were bond yields. The correlation was very strong after 4am ET with each major peak and valley aligning. Econ data was present, but not a relevant consideration for trading. Stocks were also part of the correlation game but in a perfectly inverted way (peak in oil/yields = valley in stock prices). In other words, both sides of the market remain transfixed by energy prices. This hasn't been the exclusive market mover in March, but it's definitely been the dominant consideration, and that was double true today.

Market Movement Recap
08:37 AM

Moderately stronger overnight with additional gains in early domestic trading. MBS up a quarter point and 10yr down 4.6bps at 4.232

12:22 PM

MBS still up a quarter point and 10yr down 4.1bps at 4.237

02:56 PM

Best levels of the day with MBS up 11 ticks (.34) and 10yr yields down 6bps at 4.218

Latest Video Analysis

Simple, Strong Correlation With Oil Leaves Yields Lower

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.0 99.00 +0.11 10YR 4.257% -0.021% 3/15/2026 8:40PM EST
With no massive escalation in Iran over the weekend, oil prices trickled only modestly higher during Asian trading hours and began to recover during European hours. Early domestic trading kept the friendly trend intact with some help from Trump comments that suggested a limited timeline for the war. That said, the rally was more of a linear trend this morning and less of a volatile reaction to any individual newswire. Econ data is in the back seat to geopolitical events. The ...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.36% -0.05% 15YR Fixed 5.95% -0.06% 3/16/2026
Mortgage rates are based on bonds, and bonds spent last week bracing for the impact of higher energy prices. In the bond world, higher inflation begets higher rates, all else equal.  Oil prices remain elevated, but fell more than 5% on Monday. The bond market responded with a drop in Treasury yields (which generally correlate with mortgage rates). Both the 10yr Treasury yield and the average top-tier 30yr fixed mortgage rate fell 0.06% on the day. That means mortgag...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Monday, Mar 16
12:00AM Roll Date - UMBS 15YR, Ginnie Mae 15YR
8:30AM Mar NY Fed Manufacturing Mar -0.20 3.2 7.10
9:15AM Feb Industrial Production (%) Feb 0.2% 0.1% 0.7%
9:20AM NY Fed Bill Purchases 4 to 12 months (%)
10:00AM Mar NAHB housing market indx Mar 38 37 36
10:00AM Jan Business Inventories (% ) Jan
12:00PM NOPA Crush Report (%)
Tuesday, Mar 17
8:15AM ADP Employment Change Weekly 15.5K
8:30AM Feb Housing starts number mm (ml) Feb
10:00AM Feb Pending Home Sales (%) Feb -0.5% -0.8%
11:30AM 6-Week Bill Auction (%) 3.635%
1:00PM 20-Yr Bond Auction (bl) 13
Read My Latest Newsletter
February ended with 30yr fixed rates at the lowest level in more than 3 years. There's been a grueling march higher since then with average rates ending the week at 7-month highs. While the first few days of March were open to some debate about the reasons for the rate spike, there's now only one elephant in the room, and it's a war elephant.  Wars have various effects on financial... READ MORE
Mortgage Advisor & VA Loan Specialist
VA Loan Guy
License:
317293