Mortgage rates

In a sign of how Treasuries' status as a global haven during times of turmoil may be fading, rates on longer-term debt soared last week as equities convulsed, turbocharging bets on a steeper yield curve.

President Donald Trump unleashes an all-out assault on global trade, the status of Treasury bonds as the world's safe haven is increasingly coming into question.

Freddie Mac reported a 2 basis point drop in mortgage rates, but other timelier measurements had the 30-year fixed close to or above the 7% mark.

Pres. Trump's decision to pause most of the tariffs has sparked a rally in the stock market, but the 10-year yield, while off of its peak, remains higher.

With prices possibly rising over 4% through next year, respondents to a Fall 2024 survey said they would turn to their investment portfolios to fund the down and monthly payments.

A pullback from US Treasuries sent longer-term yields surging by the most since pandemic struck in 2020, deepening losses in what's supposed to be a haven from financial turmoil and roiling markets abroad as investors sell government bonds to raise cash.

US mortgage rates fell to the lowest level since October, spurred by a rally in government bonds in the wake of an escalating trade war and driving home purchase applications to a more than one-year high.

Refinancings, particularly the cash-out version, helped to drive mortgage product availability and rate lock activity during March, separate reports found.

If mortgage rates drop into the low 6% range, there will be a retention opportunity on 5.4 million loans that have interest rates starting at 6.5%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 2,200 on Friday, the second day of a sell-off due to tariffs, but that could be good for mortgage rates.