Morning Weakness a Simple Factor of Positioning

Morning Weakness a Simple Factor of Positioning

It can be a bit tricky to understand the roll of various forms of positioning when it comes to otherwise inexplicable movement in the bond market.  It's also a fairly vague term that can refer to several different things. These include month-end trading, new-month trading, position squaring and short covering, to name the usual suspects. The effects of position-driven trading are amplified by the low volume and light liquidity of a major holiday weekend, and all of the above are playing a role in this morning's weakness.  In a nutshell, there was never any genuine strength after last Friday's opening bell.  We actually specifically entertained the possibility of short-covering driving those gains.  This morning, we're simply seeing those short-positions being re-entered. 

Market Movement Recap
09:18 AM

Giving back some of Friday's ephemeral gains. MBS down 10 ticks (.31) and 10yr up 5bps at 4.221. 

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Stronger Bonds, Before and After (And Regardless of) Economic Data

MBS & Treasury Markets
UMBS 5.5 99.77 -0.27 10YR 4.211% +0.041% 12/2/2024 11:10AM EST
It can be a bit tricky to understand the roll of various forms of positioning when it comes to otherwise inexplicable movement in the bond market.  It's also a fairly vague term that can refer to several different things. These include month-end trading, new-month trading, position squaring and short covering , to name the usual suspects. The effects of position-driven trading are amplified by the low volume and light liquidity of a major holiday weekend, and all of t...   READ MORE
Today's Mortgage Rates
30YR Fixed 6.88% -0.04% 15YR Fixed 6.09% -0.03% 11/29/2024
The interest rate market continues the healing process after taking heavy damage in October.  During the course of that month, the average top tier conventional 30yr fixed rate increased more than 0.75% and broke above 7.0% for the first time since early July.  The first few days of November saw some additional volatility with our rate index hitting 7.13% on November 6th. Things have calmed down more and more since then.  While this doesn't mean there's been ...   READ MORE
Economic Calendar
Time Event Period Actual Forecast Prior
Monday, Dec 02
9:45AM Nov S&P Global Manuf. PMI Nov 49.7 48.8 48.5
10:00AM Nov ISM Mfg Prices Paid Nov 50.3 55.2 54.8
10:00AM Nov ISM Manufacturing Employment Nov 48.1 44.4
10:00AM Nov ISM Manufacturing New Orders Nov 50.4 47.1
10:00AM Nov ISM Manufacturing PMI Nov 48.4 47.5 46.5
10:00AM Oct Construction spending (%) Oct 0.4% 0.2% 0.1%
11:30AM 26-Week Bill Auction (bl) 81
11:30AM 6-Month Bill Auction 4.340%
11:30AM 3-Month Bill Auction 4.415%
11:30AM 26-Week Bill Auction (bl) 72
3:15PM Fed Waller Speech
4:30PM Nov/27 Central Bank Balance Sheet Nov/27 $6.91T $6.92T
4:30PM Fed Williams Speech
Tuesday, Dec 03
5:30AM Nov LMI Logistics Managers Index Current Nov 58.9
8:55AM Nov/30 Redbook yy (%) Nov/30 4.9%
10:00AM Oct JOLTs Job Quits Oct 3.071M
10:00AM Oct USA JOLTS Job Openings Oct 7.48M 7.443M
10:10AM Dec IBD economic optimism Dec 54.1 53.2
11:30AM 26-Week Bill Auction (bl) 75
11:30AM 42-Day Bill Auction (%) 4.480%
12:35PM Fed Kugler Speech
3:45PM Fed Golsbee Speech
4:30PM Nov/29 API weekly crude stocks (ml) Nov/29 -5.935M
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After embarking on a volatile journey in early October, the past 2 weeks have been calmer for mortgage rates.  The present week was especially uneventful relative to the past 2 months.  The following chart measures volatility in the underlying bond market, which is the precursor for mortgage rate movement. As such, it's no surprise to see volatility subside in mortgage rates.&nbs... READ MORE