Mortgage Proposals and Rate Swings: A Housing Market in Search of Real Solutions
As mortgage rates fluctuate and ambitious policy ideas emerge, economists warn that financing tweaks cannot solve the core issue: a chronic shortage of homes.
Mortgage Crisis
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Business
Trump's Fed Nominee Kevin Warsh Champions Unconventional Path to Cheaper Mortgages
President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve, former governor Kevin Warsh, advocates for a dramatic shift in central bank strategy—shrinking its balance sheet—as the key to lowering mortgage rates, a move that challenges prevailing economic orthodoxy.
Business
Mortgage Math: What a $400K Home Really Costs at Today's 6.1% Rate
While mortgage rates have inched up slightly this week, homebuyers are still facing significantly lower borrowing costs compared to last year's peak. We break down the monthly and long-term savings on a typical home purchase.
Business
The High Cost of Low Scores: Homebuyers in These 5 States Face Steeper Mortgage Payments
A new analysis reveals a stark geographic divide in credit health, with residents in several Southern states facing higher long-term mortgage costs due to lower average credit scores, while Northern states benefit from more favorable rates.
Business
Orchid Island Capital Posts Stellar 2025 Earnings, Fueling Investor Optimism Amid Mortgage Market Shift
Orchid Island Capital, Inc. (NYSE:ORC) reported a dramatic surge in full-year 2025 net income, driven by a strategic expansion of its agency MBS portfolio and disciplined hedging. The results mark a potential inflection point for the mortgage REIT, reshaping its risk-reward profile after years of uneven performance.
Business
PennyMac Financial Navigates Mortgage Market Crosswinds: Servicing Headwinds Offset Origination Gains in Q4
PennyMac Financial Services reported Q4 2025 net income of $106.8 million, declaring a $0.30 per share dividend. While full-year profits grew on higher loan production, the quarter was pressured by a sharp decline in mortgage servicing income due to accelerated prepayments, highlighting the volatility inherent in its dual business model.
Business
Invesco Mortgage Capital Rides Agency Wave to Strong Q4 Finish, Eyes 2026 Momentum
Invesco Mortgage Capital (IVR) posted robust fourth-quarter results, buoyed by a calmer interest rate environment and outperformance in agency mortgage-backed securities. Executives detailed strategic portfolio positioning amid spread tightening and signaled cautious optimism for the year ahead.
Business
Hilltop Holdings Navigates Rate Shifts, Posts Strong 2025 Profit Amid Mortgage Headwinds
Hilltop Holdings capped off 2025 with a 46% surge in net income, fueled by a steeper yield curve and disciplined cost management across its banking and securities units. While the mortgage division remains under pressure, executives point to a robust loan pipeline and shareholder returns as signs of resilience heading into 2026.
Business
Fed Holds Steady, Mortgage Rates Follow Suit: Housing Market Finds Footing Amid Economic Confidence
The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its benchmark rate signals underlying economic strength, leaving mortgage rates largely unmoved. While affordability challenges persist, a gradual rebalancing of the market offers cautious optimism for buyers and sellers.
World
Burkina Faso's Military Government Dissolves All Political Parties, Deepening Democratic Crisis
In a sweeping decree, Burkina Faso's junta has formally dissolved the nation's political parties and seized their assets, a move analysts warn consolidates authoritarian rule and extinguishes a key pillar of democratic life amid an escalating security crisis.
Business
Analysts Revise Target for Invesco Mortgage Capital, Signaling Shift in Market Sentiment
A revised price target for Invesco Mortgage Capital (IVR) is prompting investors to reassess the mortgage REIT's trajectory amid evolving interest rate expectations and housing market dynamics.
Business
Compass Point Raises Price Target on Invesco Mortgage Capital, Sees Opportunity in Wide Spreads
Analyst firm Compass Point reiterates its Buy rating on Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (IVR), increasing its price target to $9.50, citing attractive mortgage spreads as a key catalyst for the REIT's potential book value growth.
Business
Analysts Revise Outlook on Rithm Capital as Market Reassesses Mortgage REIT's Trajectory
A revised price target for Rithm Capital (NYSE: RITM) has prompted a fresh look at the mortgage REIT's prospects, with analysts weighing its strategic shifts against a complex macroeconomic backdrop.
Business
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Posts Strong Q4 on Securitization Surge, Navigates Production Headwinds
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) closed 2025 with robust earnings, driven by a dramatic expansion in its private-label securitization business. While this growth fueled returns, the company's correspondent lending segment faced pressure, and faster mortgage prepayments impacted servicing rights income.
Business
PennyMac Mortgage Trust's Valuation Puzzle: Profits Surge as Revenue Falls
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) posted a strong Q4 profit of $52.36 million, defying a significant year-over-year revenue drop. This mixed performance has fueled a 12% stock rally over 90 days, raising questions about whether the current share price accurately reflects the company's future in a volatile mortgage market.
Business
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Posts Strong Q4 Results, Eyes Growth in Non-Agency Market
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT) reported a robust fourth quarter, highlighted by a 13% return on equity and strategic advancements in its securitization business. Executives outlined a confident outlook for 2026, emphasizing disciplined risk management and growth in targeted lending segments.
Business
Fed's Rate Pause: What It Means for Your Wallet, Mortgage, and Savings
The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady signals a strategic pause, not an end to its easing cycle. We break down the immediate and future impacts on everything from credit cards to the housing market.
Business
California's Housing Crunch: In Major Metros, Mortgages Now Devour Over Half of Paychecks
A new analysis reveals the stark reality of homeownership in California, where residents in its largest cities are spending a historically high share of income on housing, pushing the dream of owning a home out of reach for many.
World
A Nation Preparing for the Inevitable: Zimbabwe's Funeral Insurance Boom Overshadows Healthcare Crisis
In Zimbabwe, where formal employment is scarce and medical costs are prohibitive, a stark financial choice is being made: affordable funeral policies are vastly outpacing health insurance, reflecting a cultural prioritization of dignified burials over accessible healthcare.
World
Costa Rica Votes Amid Security Crisis, Populist Party Seeks to Consolidate Power
Voters head to the polls in Costa Rica, with the ruling right-wing populist party aiming to secure a decisive mandate and a legislative supermajority to tackle record violence and political gridlock.