Volume Drives Down Lender Profits; Short Week Mutes Mortgage Apps; Rates Hold 2017 Lows
Mortgage rates managed to hold in line with 2017's lowest levels for a 2nd day, even though underlying bond markets suggested a move higher . That means the prices of mortgage-backed-securities (MBS--the bonds that dictate mortgage rates) were lower. When MBS prices are lower, it means investors are paying lenders less to buy mortgages. Lenders then raise rates to entice investor demand. If the nuts and bolts underlying the mortgage rate market suggested a move higher, why were rates able to hold their ground? The first part of this answer is that we're not talking about huge amounts of movement in bond markets. US Treasuries did experience a fair amount of weakness, but MBS held their ground better by comparison. Beyond that, lenders were holding something back yesterday, which is entirely
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