Mortgage rates got hit 3 times on Wednesday, with the net effect being a move back up to the highest levels in several months. The average lender isn't quite as high as they were last Friday, but after late-day "reprices" many are fairly close.  The least of the bond market's concerns (bonds dictate rates) was this morning's inflation data. The Producer Price Index (PPI) was higher than expected on multiple fronts, including those that translate directly to higher consumer prices in the more robust PCE inflation data that comes out on April 9th. Higher inflation = higher rates, all else equal.  Inflation also figured into the morning's other development: a renewed surge in oil prices. Granted, it's not as big as some of the recent spikes, but as crude jumped roughly $6 per barrel, bond yields followed with a strong correlation. The 3rd market mover was also inflation-related, but this time in the form of Fed comments. Fed Chair Powell's characterization of inflation progress left the market feeling hopeless regarding potential rate cuts any time soon. As always, it is the market's rate cut expectations that actually correlate with interest rate movement (whereas actual Fed rate cuts are old news by the time they happen).  Today's post-Fed press conference resulted in financial markets moving expectations for the next rate cut out to April of 2027. A day ago, the market saw no chance of a rate HIKE at the next Fed meeting. Today, it's nearly 5% (not high, but a notable shift nonetheless).

March 18, 2026 Download our Mobile App: Download our Mobile App: 30 Yr. Fixed 6.36% +0.07%   5.99% 7.08% 15 Yr. Fixed 5.97% +0.04%   5.55% 6.48% 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.58% +0.03%   6.1% 7.2% Compare Mortgage Rates from Local Lenders for Mar 18, 2026 Mortgage Rates Move Back Up Near Recent Highs Wed, Mar 18, 2026 5:06PM Mortgage rates got hit 3 times on Wednesday, with the net effect being a move back up to the highest levels in several months. The average lender isn't quite as high as they were last Friday, but after late-day "reprices" many are fairly close.  The least of the bond market's concerns (bonds dictate rates) was this morning's inflation data. The Producer Price Index (PPI) was higher than expected on multiple fronts, including those that translate directly to higher consumer prices in the more robust PCE inflation data that comes out on April 9th. Higher inflation = higher rates, all else ... (read more) Mortgage News Daily Rate Change Points 30 Yr. Fixed 6.36% +0.07 0.00 15 Yr. Fixed 5.97% +0.04 0.00 30 Yr. FHA 5.86% +0.02 0.00 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.58% +0.03 0.00 7/6 SOFR ARM 5.81% +0.08 0.00 30 Yr. VA 5.88% +0.03 0.00 Updates Daily - Last Update: 3/18 Freddie Mac Rate Change Points 30 Yr. Fixed 6.11% +0.11 0.00 15 Yr. Fixed 5.50% +0.07 0.00 Updates Weekly - Last Update: 3/12 Mortgage Bankers Assoc. 30 Yr. Fixed 6.30% +0.11 0.63 15 Yr. Fixed 5.66% +0.12 0.73 30 Yr. Jumbo 6.39% +0.13 0.34 Updates Weekly - Last Update: 3/18 UMBS 30YR 5.0 98.93 -0.44   95.71 100.50 UMBS 30YR 5.5 100.68 -0.26   98.11 101.64 10 YR Treasury 4.266 +0.067   3.932 4.590 Here's What Changed in The New Fed Announcement Wed, Mar 18, 2026 2:00PM Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. been little changed in recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the... (read more) Overnight Gains Erased by PPI/Oil. Fed on Deck Wed, Mar 18, 2026 9:14AM The Producer Price Index (PPI) was this morning's only big ticket econ data and calling it "big ticket" is a bit of a stretch. PPI often passes without a trace, but can occasionally get an obvious response even if it's not a huge response. Today's installment is bigger than normal. If there's a reason, it would be that the PPI components that flow through to... (read more) MBS Price Change UMBS 4.5 96.81 -0.57 UMBS 5.0 98.93 -0.45 UMBS 5.5 100.68 -0.26 GNMA 4.5 96.99 -0.30 GNMA 5.0 99.21 -0.22 GNMA 5.5 100.66 +0.02 Pricing as of: 3/18 5:49PM EST US Treasury Yield Change 2 YR Treasury 3.781 +0.107 5 YR Treasury 3.876 +0.082 7 YR Treasury 4.058 +0.077 10 YR Treasury 4.266 +0.067 30 YR Treasury 4.884 +0.042 Pricing as of: 3/18 5:49PM EST Other News Servicing, CRM, BI, QC, HELOC, TBA, Title Products; STRATMOR on Servicing; UAD 3.6 Wed, Mar 18, 2026 11:25AM Among the hot topics in the hallways of the ICE Experience is the evolution in data contained in each lien, along with massive appraisal change hitting our biz. I was chatting with Class Valuation’s Mark Walser yesterday about UAD 3.6. (If you’d like a primer on it, and you should, see this write up by Mike Simmons.) On 11/2/26, all appraisals, to be eligibl... (read more) Latest Video Fed Chair Powell: Vast majority of FOMC don't see rate hike at next meeting... Wholesale prices rose 0.7% in February, much more than expected Fed Chair Powell: Tariffs should be a one-time issue for inflation January factory orders rise 0.1% Around the Web CNBC Fed meeting recap: Powell says inflation isn’t coming down as much as ‘hoped’ CNBC Expectations for the next Fed rate cut get pushed back after hot inflation report CNBC Fed votes to hold rates steady, notes 'uncertain' impacts from Iran war CNBC Wholesale prices rose 0.7% in February, much more than expected Federal Reserve FOMC Press Conference March 18, 2026 CNBC Mortgage refinance demand plunges 19% after interest rates shoot higher Investing Live U.S. Treasury auctions of $13 billion of 20 year notes at a high yield of 4.817% Eye on Housing Building Material Price Growth Remains Entrenched Above 3% Eye on Housing Lumber Imports and Employment Fall PR Newswire ADP National Employment Report Preliminary Estimate for February 28, 2026 Eye on Housing Best Year for Missing Middle Construction Since 2007 CNBC Treasury yields move lower as attention turns to Fed rates decision NAR NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 1.8% Increase in February

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