At the same time, market share among a trio of the mortgage insurers shifted, data compiled by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods found.

Rocket Cos. reported an increase in gain-on-sale margin but warned that going forward it is likely to slip back to levels seen in the second half of last year.

But the mortgage unit of Intercontinental Exchange narrowed its quarterly losses and touted the addition of several new customers this year in its earnings call.

Like some other servicers, it recorded a positive change in valuations during the first quarter, contrasting a negative adjustment in the previous period.

Zillow Group Inc. shares fell after the real estate company published a second-quarter outlook that called for lower revenue in its core business and predicted stalling growth in the broader U.S. housing market.

Title insurers, whose activity is highly correlated to mortgage production, wrote $15.1 billion in premiums during 2023, down from $21 billion in 2022 and $26.2 billion for the year before that.

The enterprise was able to improve on its year-over-year number for loan purchases and earnings in the seasonally weak period, but both were down on a consecutive quarter basis.

Profits in the originations and servicing segment at Newrez drove earnings, while a possible spinoff of Rithm's mortgage operations is still seen as a "work in progress," according to company leaders.

The investment giant said its direct-to-consumer channel will offer ancillary products in preparation for any future refinance environment.

But strong g-fees, a positive credit-loss adjustment and stable home prices bolstered results despite declines in mortgage purchases to lows not seen in some time.