mortgages: Mortgage Market Snapshot 06-21-2011 - 06/21/11 07:05 AM
by Sigma Research
Treasuries and mortgages opened a little soft this morning with the pre-market trade in equities pointing to a better open at 9:30. Stocks look better, with European shares rebounding from a three-month low, and the euro strengthened as the Greek government prepared to face a confidence vote that may determine whether it avoids a default. Oil and palladium gained in Europe.  Today's vote of confidence in Prime Minister George Papandreou is likely to determine how soon the nation can win international aid to shore up its finances. European Union leaders have insisted he gain multi-party support for austerity measures … (0 comments)

mortgages: Mortgage News June 21: HUD training; more reader comments; SEC & counter-party risk; Fed & TILA; PNC to become 5th largest bank? - 06/21/11 07:00 AM
by: Rob Chrisman
Today we have, in the Northern Hemisphere, 5 hours and 14 minutes more daylight than the winter solstice six months ago. For the most part it is something everyone north of the equator can be happy about, unless you're on the west coast working  New York bond market hours and going to bed 2 hours before the sun sets.
Anyone who remembers companies like Drexel Burnham, and knowing how important it  is to assess counter-party risk, should note that the SEC is "on the case." (DLJ doesn't count - they were bought out by Credit Suisse about 10 … (0 comments)

mortgages: Mortgage Market Snapshot 06-09-2011 - 06/09/11 06:24 AM
provided by Sigma Research
Treasuries and mortgages doing better again this morning, the stock indexes in pre-market trade were better. Weekly jobless claims at 8:30 were a little softer than expected but generally in line; +1K to 427K, last week's claims were revised from 422K to 426K. Continuing claims were down 71K to 3.676 mil. Treasuries were better prior to the claims and increased slightly after the release; by 9:00 however the 10 yr note backed off to unchanged and mortgage prices that were +3/32 at 8:00 were down 4/32 (.12 bp) on the session.
Also at 8:30 the April US … (0 comments)

mortgages: Mortgage Market News 06-09-2011 - 06/09/11 05:41 AM
Jun. 9, 2011: REIT's gaining in prominence; analyzing mortgage pools in the future; HUD's 2011 limitsRob Chrisman
"I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure." But one thing that I am sure of is transparency. Sterne Agee released prepayment information, important to investors and originators alike. "Primary rates continued to their recent descent in May but lower rates alone were not enough to incent borrowers to refinance. Prepayment speeds for Conventional pools fell...Fannie collateral is now prepaying faster than Freddie." Now, I am no expert, but that last sentence was interesting. Why is Fannie faster than Freddie? I will … (0 comments)