General Risk Aversion Trade Helping Bonds

General Risk Aversion Trade Helping Bonds

Bonds began the day in just barely stronger territory but continued to improve throughout. The first rally followed the 8:20am CME open--a common time of day to see a bit of extra momentum and volume. The next leg of the rally played out in the 10am hour which is when stocks did all of their selling for the day. That dynamic lends itself to the conclusion that the broader market is trading in a "risk-off" pattern amid global trade uncertainty. 

Market Movement Recap
09:52 AM

Modestly stronger overnight and holding gains. MBS up 2 ticks (.06) and 10yr down 2.6bps at 4.061

11:37 AM

Best levels of the day. MBS up an eighth and 10yr down 5.5bps at 4.033

02:25 PM

Holding at strongest levels. MBS up 5 ticks (.16) and 10yr down 6.2bps at 4.025

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General Risk Aversion Trade Helping Bonds

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.0 100.41 +0.10 10YR 4.033% -0.054% 2/23/2026 5:59PM EST
Bonds are starting the new week in slightly stronger territory, but still well inside the prevailing trading range. There were no standout market movers over the weekend although tariff and trade-related uncertainty may be generally weighing on investor sentiment to some small extent. The econ calendar is very quiet throughout the week with Friday's PPI being the most relevant report (and that's not saying much). This leaves markets more susceptible to trade and geopolitical ...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 5.99% -0.05% 15YR Fixed 5.60% +0.00% 2/23/2026
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
Monday, Feb 23
8:00AM Fed Waller Speech
10:00AM Dec Factory orders mm (%) Dec -0.7% -0.5% 2.7%
Tuesday, Feb 24
8:00AM Fed Golsbee Speech
8:15AM ADP Employment Change Weekly 10.25K
9:00AM Dec FHFA Home Price Index m/m (%) Dec 0.3% 0.6%
9:00AM Dec CaseShiller 20 mm nsa (%) Dec 0%
9:00AM Dec FHFA Home Prices y/y (%) Dec 1.9%
9:00AM Dec Case Shiller Home Prices-20 y/y (% ) Dec 1.5% 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 87.3 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 (%)
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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