Another Solid Start, But Without as Much Help From Oil

Another Solid Start, But Without as Much Help From Oil

Until the end of the Iran war, bond traders are keeping oil prices on their screens and comparing oil price movement against bond market movement as the first task on the daily checklist. In so doing, we see a bit of outperformance on the part of bonds this morning. While there is solid directional correlation (i.e. yields and oil were moving in the same directions at the same times), bond yields are lower today while oil is still a bit higher. Surprisingly, today's highest minute of volume happened with the 8:15am ADP data which showed its biggest drop in months. That said, there was not a big reaction in yields. The easiest conclusion for now is that bonds are taking some solace in an absence of big, new surges in oil prices as well as some supportive cues from the 4.30% bounce seen last Friday.

Market Movement Recap
08:27 AM

initially weaker overnight, then steadily stronger. MBS up 3 ticks (.09) and 10yr down 1bp at 4.21

12:32 PM

Near best levels. MBS up 5 ticks (.16) and 10yr down 3bps at 4.19

02:48 PM

Off best levels. MBS up 3 ticks (.09) and 10yr down 1.9bps at 4.20

Latest Video Analysis

Simple, Strong Correlation With Oil Leaves Yields Lower

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.0 99.39 +0.11 10YR 4.199% -0.021% 3/17/2026 3:38PM EST
Until the end of the Iran war, bond traders are keeping oil prices on their screens and comparing oil price movement against bond market movement as the first task on the daily checklist. In so doing, we see a bit of outperformance on the part of bonds this morning. While there is solid directional correlation (i.e. yields and oil were moving in the same directions at the same times), bond yields are lower today while oil is still a bit higher. Surpri...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.29% -0.07% 15YR Fixed 5.93% -0.02% 3/17/2026
It was a fairly uneventful day for mortgage rates , but also a fairly decent one. The underlying bond market made modest gains even without meaningful cues from oil prices. Lately, oil price volatility has been the most visible motivation for bonds and, thus, interest rates . After cresting 6.40% last week, the MND 30yr fixed rate index is back below 6.30% today, albeit just barely (6.29% for top tier 30yr fixed rates at the average lender). Looking ahead, tomorrow afte...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Tuesday, Mar 17
8:15AM ADP Employment Change Weekly 9K 15.5K
10:00AM Feb Pending Home Sales (%) Feb 1.8% -0.5% -0.8%
11:30AM 6-Week Bill Auction (%) 3.635% 3.635%
1:00PM 20-Yr Bond Auction (bl) 13
Wednesday, Mar 18
12:00AM Roll Date - Ginnie Mae 30YR
7:00AM Mar/13 Mortgage Market Index Mar/13 389.6
7:00AM Mar/13 MBA Refi Index Mar/13 1646.3
7:00AM Mar/13 MBA Purchase Index Mar/13 171.3
8:30AM Feb PPI y/y Feb 2.9% 2.9%
8:30AM Feb Core PPI m/m (%) Feb 0.3% 0.8%
8:30AM Feb PPI m/m (%) Feb 0.3% 0.5%
10:00AM Jan Factory orders mm (%) Jan 0.1% -0.7%
10:30AM Mar/13 Crude Oil Inventory (ml) Mar/13 0.4M 3.824M
2:00PM Interest Rate Projection - 2nd Yr 3.1%
2:00PM Interest Rate Projection - 1st Yr 3.4%
2:00PM Interest Rate Projection - Current 3.6%
2:00PM Interest Rate Projection - Longer 3%
2:00PM FOMC Economic Projections
2:00PM Fed Interest Rate Decision 3.75% 3.75%
2:30PM Fed Press Conference
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