Morning Report: Markets now predicting a March rate cut

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Brent Nyitray

Vital Statistics:

 

Last Change
S&P futures 3070 -39.25
Oil (WTI) 46.77 -1.79
10 year government bond yield 1.28%
30 year fixed rate mortgage 3.54%

 

Stocks are lower this morning on overseas weakness and Coronavirus fears. Bonds and MBS are up again.

 

The 10 year is trading at 1.28%, but MBS are lagging the move. Be patient with rates, as it will take MBS and rate sheets a few days to catch up. The Fed Funds futures are now handicapping a 58% chance of a March rate cut. A week ago it was 9%. What a difference 250 S&P handles makes…

 

New home sales rose 7.9% MOM in January, and is up 18.6% on a YOY basis. This is the highest level in 12 years. Mild weather and lower interest rates may have been a driver.  Speaking of new home sales, Toll Brothers reported lower than expected earnings, and blamed it on Coronavirus and CA sales.

 

new home sales

 

The second estimate for fourth quarter GDP came in at 2.1%, in line with the advance estimate a month ago. Consumption was a touch below expectations at 1.7%, as was inflation at 1.3%. In other economic data, durable goods orders fell 0.2% which was better than expectations. Ex-transportation, they rose 0.9% and capital goods orders (which are a proxy for capital expenditures) rose 1.1%. Finally, initial jobless claims rose to 219,000 last week.

 

Interesting on the flight to safety trade – gold is up. bitcoin is not.

 

 

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