Europe Headlines Still Moving Mortgage Rates

By Stevie Duffin Updated on 12/16/2014

The pace of housing starts slowed in November, but per the now-usual trend, MBS trading is ignoring domestic data and eyes are on the headlines of Europe, including Russia's weak Ruble along with a mishmosh of other eurodrama concerning the ECB's QE initiatives. Mortgage bonds were stronger earlier but still ride in positive territory midday. Watch for falling mortgage interest rates. 

For more potential mortgage rate movers, check back tomorrow for CPI (inflation measure) and the FOMC announcement, and Thursday for the Philly Fed business index and jobless claims. 

Monday: Empire State manufacturing numbers came in at their lowest levels in two years: November's reading had been 10.16, and Monday's announcement revealed -3.58 for December. The last time the index read negative - an indicator of decline - was January 2013. Better news out of the housing sector: although NAHB numbers came in a tick lower for December at 57 than they had in November's 58, overall builder confidence is relatively optimistic.

That all happened domestically, but bond markets weren't paying much attention; overseas markets certainly stole the spotlight, and Russia in particular, whose Ruble currency tanked. 

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• 30 year (FRM) rates at 3.85 (0.00).
• 15 year (FRM) rates at 3.12 (+0.02).
• FHA 30 year Fixed rates at 3.25% (0.00).
• Jumbo 30 year Fixed rates at 3.70% (0.00).
• 5/1 ARM rates at 3.25% (0.00).