Mortgage Rates Hold Flat on Thursday Despite Lower Weekly Average For the average lender, top-tier 30yr fixed mortgage rates were perfectly unchanged compared to yesterday. This keeps them right in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 years. That said, if we're splitting hairs, better rates were available 4 days in the past month and a half (Jan 9, Jan 12, Feb 13, Feb 17). So why is it that there are news headlines today claiming that rates hit their lowest levels in more than 3 years? Simply put, th ...

Primary Mortgage Market Survey® U.S. weekly average mortgage rates as of 02/19/2026 MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.01%. “Mortgage rates dropped again this week, now down to their lowest level since September of 2022,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “This lower rate environment is not only improving affordability for ...

Mortgage Rates Overview - The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by 11 basis points to 5.89%, while the 15-year rate rose by four basis points to 5.38% [1] - Despite the increase, the 30-year loan rate remains close to a three-year low [1] - The Mortgage Bankers Association reported an increase in refinance applications as rates remain favorable [1] Current Mortgage Rates - Current national average mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.89% - 20-year fixed: 5.79% - 15-year fixed: 5.38% - 5/1 ARM: 5.99% - 7/1 ARM: 5.79% - 30-year VA: 5.38% - 15-year VA: 5.08% - 5/1 VA: 4.98% [4] Refinance Rates - Today's refinance rates show slight variations, with refinance rates generally being higher than purchase mortgage rates [3][11] - Current refinance rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.97% - 20-year fixed: 5.86% - 15-year fixed: 5.47% - 5/1 ARM: 6.28% - 7/1 ARM: 6.19% - 30-year VA: 5.46% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 4.81% [5] Mortgage Rate Determinants - Mortgage rates are influenced by controllable factors such as lender comparison, credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and down payments [9][10] - Uncontrollable factors include economic conditions, where struggling economies typically lead to lower mortgage rates to encourage borrowing [11] Mortgage Types - Fixed-rate mortgages lock in the interest rate for the entire loan term, while adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have an initial fixed period followed by periodic adjustments [7] - A 30-year fixed mortgage offers lower monthly payments but incurs more interest over time, whereas a 15-year fixed mortgage has higher monthly payments but lower overall interest costs [12][13] Market Insights - The lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate recorded was 2.65% in January 2021, and it is unlikely to drop below 3% in the near future [16] - Experts suggest refinancing when a new rate is at least 1% to 2% lower than the current rate, depending on individual financial goals [17]

Mortgage rates fell again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.09%, down from 6.16% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey. Current mortgage rates Loan type Current 4 weeks ago One year ago 52-week average 52-week low 30-year 6.09% 6.25% 7.00% 6.55% 6.09% 15-year 5.47% 5.53% 6.24% 5.77% 5.47% 30-year jumbo 6.27% 6.41% 7.04% 6.62% 6.27% The 30-year fixed mortgages in this week’s survey had an average total of 0.36 discount and ...

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, placing the overnight borrowing rate in the 3.5%-3.75% range [1] - Experts believe that mortgage rates are influenced by various factors beyond interest rate decisions, including tariffs, inflation, and stagnant wages [2] - The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 3.8% decline in total mortgage application volume for the week ending December 12 compared to the previous week [4] Group 2 - Financial experts predict that mortgage rates will not change significantly in 2026, with minimal rate cuts expected [5] - The recent Fed meeting saw a non-unanimous vote, indicating a lack of alignment among board members regarding interest rate decisions [5] - As of December 19, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conventional loan was 6.208%, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.04% from the previous week [5]

Core Insights - Mortgage rates are expected to decrease further as the 10-year Treasury yield has dropped nearly 2% in the past week, leading to increased investor interest in bonds and a subsequent fall in yields [1] - Zillow reports the current national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 5.79%, marking the lowest level in years, while the 15-year fixed rate stands at 5.34% [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The current mortgage rates according to Zillow include: - 30-year fixed: 5.79% - 20-year fixed: 5.71% - 15-year fixed: 5.34% - 5/1 ARM: 5.90% - 7/1 ARM: 5.69% - 30-year VA: 5.44% - 15-year VA: 5.06% - 5/1 VA: 5.14% [5] Mortgage Refinance Rates - Today's mortgage refinance rates, which are typically higher than purchase rates, are also provided as national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth [3] Market Trends - The decline in mortgage rates is attributed to stock market volatility, particularly in tech stocks, and concerns regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions, which have led buyers to seek refuge in the bond market [17]

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management's performance is closely linked to mortgage rates and Federal Reserve policies, with recent trends indicating lower mortgage rates which may enhance housing affordability and support growth in home purchases and refinancing activities [1][2]. Mortgage Rates and Federal Reserve Policy - Mortgage rates have decreased to 6.09% as of February 12, 2026, down from 6.11% the previous week and significantly lower than 6.87% a year ago [1]. - The Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark federal funds target range at 3.50-3.75% and is expected to implement two 25-basis-point rate cuts later in 2026, which will reduce funding costs for mortgage REITs [3]. Financial Performance - Annaly's net interest income (NII) rose to $1.14 billion in 2025 from $247.8 million the previous year, reflecting improved earnings due to lower funding pressure [3]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Annaly's 2026 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 74%, with projected sales of $1.98 billion [16]. Portfolio Diversification - Annaly operates a diversified investment platform that includes Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), residential credit, and mortgage servicing rights (MSR), which aids in balancing income generation and risk management [5]. - As of December 31, 2025, Annaly's investment portfolio totaled $104.7 billion, with $92.9 billion in highly liquid Agency MBS, primarily rated 'AAA' [6]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is expanding its MSR platform through a long-term agreement with PennyMac Financial Services, enhancing its servicing capabilities and operational efficiency [7]. - Annaly has exited its commercial real estate and Middle Market Lending businesses to focus on core housing finance operations, allowing for more concentrated capital deployment [8]. Liquidity and Capital Distribution - Annaly maintains a strong liquidity position with $9.4 billion in total assets available for financing, including $6.1 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency MBS [10]. - The company has a current dividend yield of 12.14%, having increased its quarterly cash dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share in March 2025 [12]. Market Performance - Annaly's shares have increased by 11.8% over the past six months, outperforming the industry average of 5.7% [20]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-tangible book (P/TB) multiple of 1.12X, which is higher than the industry average of 1.05X [23].

32,409,009+$23.23+16.46%$164.32[Applied Materials][AMAT]• Vol: A Housing ETF Up 15.7% Despite 38% Plunge in Key Residential Demand Factor - 24/7 Wall St.[S&P 5006,835.60 -0.18%][Dow Jones49,472.00 -0.04%][Nasdaq 10024,720.00 -0.16%][Russell 20002,647.23 +1.20%][FTSE 10010,453.70 +0.18%][Nikkei 22557,538.00 +0.91%][Investing]# A Housing ETF Up 15.7% Despite 38% Plunge in Key Residential Demand Factor### Quick ReadSPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) gained 15.7% year to date. DR Horton (DHI) and PulteGroup (PHM) ...

Mortgage Rates and Housing Market Overview - Mortgage rates have slightly decreased, with the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage falling to 6.09% from 6.11% last week, compared to 6.87% a year ago [1][3] - The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage also decreased to 5.44% from 5.5% [3] - Economic growth, a strong labor market, and low mortgage rates have improved housing affordability, leading to increased purchase application activity compared to the previous year [3] Inventory and Home Sales Trends - Existing home sales in the U.S. dropped 8.4% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, marking the lowest level since December 2023 [7] - Year-over-year, home sales decreased by 4.4%, indicating a decline in market activity [8] - Inventory growth has slowed for nine consecutive months, with total supply remaining about 17.2% below pre-pandemic levels [5] Market Influences and Future Outlook - Mortgage rates are influenced by various factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions and the 10-year Treasury yield, which was around 4.1% [4] - While the current mortgage rates have stabilized, a more significant drop is necessary to attract new buyers and sellers to rejuvenate the housing market [5]

Mortgage rates dipped slightly lower this week, weathering volatility in bond markets. While bond yields sagged early in the week, Wednesday's surprising jobs report sent yields soaring. The news was digested quickly by the Treasury market, and a recovery to previously low levels took just a day. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate this week was 6.09%, down from 6.11% the previous week. The 52-week low is 6.06%. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed averaged 5.44%, down from 5.50%. “Bolstered ...