Broker's Share of Biz Drops
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
http:globalhomefinance.comThere is a lot of continued controversy and focus over the variouscompensation plans for loan officers and regulatory audits. Obviously,these comp plans must eventually go through a company's HR department andin-house legal counsel. The MBA is hosting a 1.5 day Human...

Market Snapshot
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Treasuries trading a little weaker early this morning while trade in stock index futures were slightly weaker prior to the 9:30 open. There are no scheduled economic reports today. At 9:30 the DJIA opened -9, NASDAQ -6, S&P -2; 10 yr note unchanged at 2.05% and 30 yr MBSs +4 bp. After the strong increase in...

Market Snapshot 03/13/13
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Prior to 8:30 when Feb retail sales were reported the 10 yr note at 2.00% was -2 bp and 30 yr MBSs were up 6 bp frm yesterday's close. Retail sales for Feb was expected to be a little soft on concerns the payroll tax increase might continue slow spending seen in January. The estimate for overall sales was +0.6% and...

Keeping up with the Market
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
European stocks weaker this morning, in early US futures trading markets were relatively unchanged, the 10 yr note -3/32 at 2.04% at 8:30. 8:30 data didn't move markets; Feb CPI in line with forecasts +0.7% overall, and ex-food and energy +0.2%. Inflation is no problem and attracts little attention in markets....

Bond and Mortgage Markets
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Generally quiet in early activity this morning in the bond and mortgage markets; trade in the stock index futures at 9:00 pointing to a better open at 9:30. In Europe stock markets are weaker, continuing to decline on the renewed debt crisis that surfaced in tiny Cyprus. In an effort to get financial assistance frm...

Mortgage and Bond Rates
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
A little better start in the mortgage and bond market this morning even with the stock indexes opening better. It remains all about the Cyprus banks and whether Cyprus can come up with 5.8B euros in order to get bank rescue money from the ECB. Yesterday the gauntlet was laid down to Cyprus by the ECB and EU officials;...

Time to Buy a Home
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy a House. With home prices rising for the third straight quarter, it is pretty hard to argue that the housing market recovery hasn't picked up steam. In fact, according to S&P Case-Shiller, home values increased 7.3% in the last quarter of 2012 alone. That means we are seeing...

Interest rates
Updated Oct. 24, 2014
Interest rate markets continue to trade in a tight range, this morning the 10 yr note started down 4/32 at 1.93% +1 bp and 30 yr MBS price at 8:30 -3 bps. US stock indexes early today were pointing to a better opening at 9:30, the same as yesterday; but yesterday after opening better the DJIA dropped 117 points before...

Following the Rates 3-28-13
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
he 10 yr and MBSs started a little weaker this morning; early trading in the stock indexes pointing to a slightly better open at 9:30. Neither market however was much different from yesterday's closes. In Cyprus today, after being closed for two weeks, the banks opened for the first time. Yesterday most...

Good Friday!!!
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Find out more about a refinance or home loan at globalhomefinance.com. The bond and stock markets are closed today for Good Friday. I apologize for my error that the bond market would be open today; that was what we were told---obviously incorrect. Mae Culpa. Although markets are closed today, Feb personal income...

Home Prices/Bidding Wars
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Should You Bid More in a Bidding War?. Spring brings warmer weather, flowers, the urge to clean, and this season it's bringing with it bidding wars. Not yet experienced in every market, but still being experienced in many major markets (especially on the west coast), the bidding war is back. So how do you...

Treasuries and Mortgages
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Treasuries and mortgages opened a little soft this morning with US stock indexes pointing to a better open at 9:30. European stocks rose to a one-week high as trading resumed after a four-day weekend while Italian and Spanish bond yields declined. Italy's 10-year rate fell eight basis points to 4.68%, while...

Treasuries and Mortgages
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Treasuries and mortgages opened a little soft this morning with US stock indexes pointing to a better open at 9:30. European stocks rose to a one-week high as trading resumed after a four-day weekend while Italian and Spanish bond yields declined. Italy's 10-year rate fell eight basis points to 4.68%, while...

Job Reports 4-3-13
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The March ADP private jobs report this morning was weaker than thought; according to ADP private jobs increased 158K, less than the 200K generally thought. The service sector accounted for most of the jobs, +151K, manufacturing jobs +6K while construction jobs showed no gains; the rebuild frm hurricane Sandy...

Is Unemployment decreasing?
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Prior to 8:30 this morning the 10 yr note and MBS prices were slightly better after the strong improvements yesterday. North Korea is rumbling and the US is responding with increased military readiness, investors turning more to safety in US treasuries. The early activity in the stock index futures markets...

Shock and Awe
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The first Friday of every month is almost always one of shock and awe; the release of the monthly employment data is rarely a calm event. Today the March data didn't disappoint in terms of surprise. The unemployment rate hit at 7.6% down frm 7.7% in Feb, so far on the surface that looks good, but not really. Non-farm...

Interest Rate Market
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
This week follows on the best week's we have had recently in the interest rate markets. Today should however see some pressure in bonds and mortgages after such a deep decline in rates last week. There isn't a lot of data this week, March retail sales is the most critical with questions about how...

Market Trends 4-10-13
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Very early this morning the 10 yr note yield was up a basis point at 1.75%; but by 9:00 the 10 improved a little to unchanged at 1.74%. US stock indexes looking better at 9:00 with the DJIA pointing to a 35 point open at 9:30; 30 yr MBS price up 2 bp frm yesterday's close. U.S. stocks rallied yesterday as investors...

Where is the Stimulation
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Globalhomefinance.com we can help with your home loan needs.. Weekly jobless claims out this morning at 8:30; claims were widely expected to have declined 20K to 25K, as reported claims fell 42K to 346K. Last week claims increased 28K, more than was expected at the time. The last two weeks of claims appear to have been...

Bond and Mortgage Market 4-12-2013
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
A nice start today in the bond and mortgage markets with US stock indexes trading lower and Europe's stock markets weaker. At 8:30 more support for the bond market when March retail sales were much softer than forecasts; sales were expected to be about unchanged from Feb but fell 0.4% and when auto sales are...