Nothing Doing: Lowest Rates Since 2022 Fail To Spur Home Sales
U.S. mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest levels since September 2022, yet home sales remain stagnant. A roughly 50% imbalance between sellers and buyers underscores a deep‑seated market freeze. Inventory shortages and lingering affordability concerns continue to suppress demand despite cheaper financing. Analysts warn the trend could prolong the housing slowdown into 2026.
A Return to Pre-2008 Lending Rules? Banks Are Ready to Open the Financial Floodgates to Borrowers
The Federal Reserve is weighing a rule change that would stop banks from subtracting mortgage‑servicing‑rights (MSRs) from core capital, while keeping a 250% risk weight. Simultaneously, banking regulators propose easing the community‑bank leverage ratio from 9% to 8%, giving smaller...
ESMA Sets Out Clearing Thresholds Under EMIR 3
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) detailing new clearing thresholds under EMIR 3. The proposal retains five threshold categories, clarifies calculation timing, and enhances the trigger mechanism’s stability. ESMA also suggests higher thresholds...
Fastmarkets Proposes to Amend NCM/NCA Black Mass Methodology Specifications
Fastmarkets announced a consultation to revise its black‑mass pricing methodology after China lifted its import ban and imposed stricter metal‑content rules. The new specifications require nickel‑cobalt‑manganese (NCM) black mass to contain 20‑25% nickel, 3‑10% cobalt and 3‑4.5% lithium, with total...
Trump Pitches New Retirement Plan with a Federal Match of up to $1,000 per Year — Who Could Benefit
President Trump announced a new federal retirement account modeled on the Thrift Savings Plan, promising a government match of up to $1,000 per year for workers without employer‑sponsored 401(k)s. The initiative would potentially cover the 56 million Americans currently lacking such...
Oracle's 61% Drop Signals Bear Market Near End
$ORCL - Bottomed at the 200 week MA in early February. The 5 month crash from September to February was significantly bigger than the 2008-2009 and 2022 bear markets in which the drawdown didn't surpass 43%. The drawdown of the...
Depressed Oil‑Gold Ratio Signals Multi‑Year Energy Outperformance
Oil peaked in 2008 at $140 and has fallen sideways since to ~$65 today. In hard-money gold terms, 1 ounce buys 100 barrels of oil. Oil has been deflating for decades. The only time it was cheaper was 2020 when...
A&D Mortgage Raises $602.7 Million in Non-Prime RMBS
A&D Mortgage issued $602.7 million of non‑prime residential mortgage‑backed securities (RMBS) through its 2026‑NQM2 transaction, backed by 1,793 loans with four months of seasoning. The pool is dominated by single‑family homes (68.4 %) and condos (20.5 %), with 48.1 % of borrowers self‑employed and...
Avoid Underwriting Errors to Maximize Build‑to‑Rent Profits
Build to Rent Deals: Avoid Underwriting Mistakes for Profit Follow @chasecalhoun.realestate for more on build-to-rent and real estate investing. #realestate #investmentproperty #buildtorent
Trump’s Plan To Lower Home Prices for Buyers and Raise Them for Sellers Draws Skepticism: ‘He Must Be a Magician’
President Trump argued that lower mortgage rates will simultaneously make homes cheaper for buyers and preserve homeowner wealth, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from housing economists. Current 30‑year rates hover around 6%, far above the 2.65% level needed...
New 10pc US Tariff Keeps Aromatics Arbs Shut
The United States imposed a new 10% tariff on imports of benzene, toluene and mixed xylenes (BTX), effectively closing paper arbitrage opportunities despite sizable price premiums over South Korean supplies. With freight costs around $72 per tonne, the tariff neutralises...
Rewriting the RFS Playbook: The Impact of No Half-RIN and Higher RVOs on Projected Biomass-Based Diesel Production and Feedstock Use...
The EPA is expected to drop the controversial half‑RIN rule and raise biomass‑based diesel renewable volume obligations (RVOs) to 5.25 billion gallons in 2026 and 5.61 billion gallons in 2027, roughly a 20% increase over the June proposal. Using an average equivalence...
The U.S. Military Must Save Itself Before Saving Others
Jennifer Kavanaugh revisits her 2023 argument that U.S. military aid creates a trade‑off between Israel and Taiwan, noting the calculus has shifted. She now warns that the United States’ own depleted air‑defense munitions and other materiel are the primary constraint,...
1949: Nate Berkus on Entrepreneurship, Design, and Financial Confidence
In this episode Farnoosh Torabi revisits her 2015 interview with designer and entrepreneur Nate Berkus, discussing how his design philosophy—making homes tell personal stories—parallels his approach to money. Berkus shares his financial mindset of confronting fear, taking calculated risks, and treating...
Can Project Vault Fortify the US Industrial Base Against Mineral Chokepoints?
In February 2026 the U.S. Air Force faced F‑35 radar delays because gallium supplies were blocked by China, prompting the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion strategic critical‑mineral reserve backed by the Export‑Import Bank and private investors. Unlike the historic...
MI Volumes Jump 12%, Competitive Pressure Builds
Private mortgage insurers collectively wrote 12% more new insurance in 2025, driven by a sharp rate‑cut‑induced surge in fourth‑quarter originations. While MGIC remained the top writer for the sixth straight quarter, the sector’s share continues to slip to the FHA...
International Dividend ETF IDOG Crosses $500M Milestone
ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) broke the $500 million AUM barrier, reaching $506 million, as international equities rally. Over the past year the fund delivered a 42.71% total return and attracted $99.47 million of net inflows, reflecting heightened appetite for overseas...
HOOD Rebounds as Crypto‑tech Bounce Restores Confidence
$HOOD - coming to life after a brutal few weeks. Crypto + tech bounce helping restore confidence. Still expansive, but a relief rally may be due.
Still Unsure About Retirement Savings? Suze Orman’s Playbook for Catching Up Without Panicking
Suze Orman’s latest guide outlines a four‑step framework for late‑stage retirement savers. First, readers are urged to inventory income, expenses, and debt to gauge how much they can set aside. Second, she recommends building an emergency fund of at least...
Collar Options Strategies: Pros, Cons and Examples
A collar option strategy combines a protective put with a covered call to limit downside while capping upside. Investors own the underlying stock, buy an out‑of‑the‑money put and sell an out‑of‑the‑money call with the same expiration, often resulting in a...
Closed Pharmacies Find New Life as Versatile Retail Hubs
Drugstores are shrinking fast, but their real estate is not becoming obsolete. Well-located former pharmacies are turning into some of the most versatile second-generation retail and healthcare sites in the market. ▫️Walgreens plans to close 1,200 stores (500 in 2025 alone). ▫️CVS...
Venezuela's US Crude Flows Far Shy of Trump's Claims
President Donald Trump claimed the United States received over 80 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, a figure far exceeding reality. Vortexa ship‑tracking data shows U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil totalled about 17.7 million barrels, roughly 300,000 barrels per day, in January and...
Context Over Strategy: Structure Your Trades for Success
Most traders don’t lack a strategy… they lack context. 📊 Balance vs Imbalance. Fade vs Continuation. If you’re clicking without structure, you’re gambling. Comment STRUCTURE and I’ll send the guide. 🚀 #futurestrading #vwap #traderlife
Current Stance:
My positioning & stance update on Gold , Dollar , US indexes & Bitcoin 🧵
US to Allow Resale of Venezuelan Oil to Cuba
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced it will approve third‑party applications to resell Venezuelan crude and refined products to Cuba. Transactions must follow the same conditions as U.S.-authorized sales to Venezuela's state oil firm, including depositing...
Stop Giving the Gov Interest-Free Loans: Zero Your Refund
When you get a tax refund, that means you’ve been loaning the government money interest-free throughout the year, and they’re just returning money to you that was already yours. That’s why it’s called a refund. Try to keep your refund...
Rial Depreciates as US Threats Loom Over Iran
FYI: as we wait to see if the Trump Administration will move forward with direct attacks on Iran, this is US Dollar - Iranian Rial exchange rate. The reversion to a float since the beginning of the year does not...
How to Buy Marijuana Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide
Investors are eyeing a rapidly expanding U.S. cannabis market projected at $47 billion in 2026, with 24 states legalizing recreational use and 42 permitting medical consumption. A pivotal regulatory change—Executive Order 14370—re‑classified marijuana to Schedule III in late 2025, removing the 280E...
Bostic Warns Fed Independence Faces Real, Uncertain Threat
Outgoing Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic signals greater concern about the institution's independence than the more anodyne statements typically offered by his colleagues when the subject comes up He says there's an ongoing threat and the outcome is genuinely uncertain https://t.co/ntwkE73UgE
Co
#RealEstate data giant #CoStar thinks of itself as a winner but thus far #WallSt treating it as a loser, as it fell below $45/share 1st X since 19. #Florance touts https://t.co/OfrVvw8tgH's new #AI platform, sees rivals as 'doomscrolls' #CRE ...
Best 12-Month CD Rates for February 25, 2026: Up to 4.05%
The College Investor lists the top 12‑month certificates of deposit as of February 25, 2026, with yields topping 4.05% APY. Credit One Bank leads with a 4.05% jumbo CD requiring a $100,000 minimum, while Bank of Utah, Live Oak, Navy Federal and...
Dollar Slides vs EM, Brazil's Real Hits Two-Year High
The Dollar is tumbling. Not against the G10, where it's basically stable, but against EM, where it's making new lows almost every day. One of the main beneficiaries of all this is the Brazilian Real, which is the strongest versus...
Stable City Prices only Where Greenfield Development Thrives
This can be laid at the feet of the suburbs not building: Long Island, West Chester, Connecticut, and North Jersey There is no market with stable CITY prices which has not see a TON of greenfield development.
DUSA Crosses $1 Billion Milestone as Value Resurgence Gains Steam
The Davis Select U.S. Equity ETF (DUSA) has surpassed the $1 billion AUM threshold, marking a milestone for the nine‑year‑old active fund. The ETF follows a high‑conviction, benchmark‑agnostic strategy, holding just 25 large‑cap names that trade at a price‑to‑earnings multiple roughly...
Lithium Corp Targets Lithium, Graphite, Fluorspar, Neodymium
Lithium Corp $LTUM Junior spec run by Tom Lewis: Lithium, Graphite, Fluorspar & Neodymium ... https://t.co/gv3RzOcArh
Iranian Rial Plummets, Ranks Third Worst Globally
On this week's Hanke's #CurrencyWatchlist, the Iranian rial ranks as the WORLD'S 3RD WORST CURRENCY. The rial has depreciated by 43% against the USD over the past year. RIAL = IN REAL BIG TROUBLE. https://t.co/FmVN6Cuf8I
Fed Vice Chair Urges Big Banks Return to Mortgages
Big banks retreated from mortgages after the 2008 housing crash—now this Fed governor wants them back After a decade+ of "migration" toward nonbanks, Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman says it's time to reconsider policy My latest for ResiClub: https://t.co/6IY86V9OTy
More Pandemic Construction, Fewer Bidding Wars; Less Building, More.
🏗️The places that built the most housing during the pandemic have the fewest bidding wars, and the places that neglected to build have the most. 🏘️ See percent of homes selling above list price by county. https://t.co/giPGgmFuBr
South Sudan Lacks Reliable Money Data, Undermining Accountability
South Sudan’s government hasn’t produced RELIABLE MONEY SUPPLY DATA since October 2024. SOUTH SUDAN = NO RELIABLE DATA = NO ACCOUNTABILITY. https://t.co/UAqAIjbHdP
NVDA Lagging Hints Market Top, yet Breaks Out Pre‑earnings
using Nvidia $NVDA is lagging the market as a supposed sign of a market top is what it is... but seeing them break the stock out ahead of earnings? markets are fun...
Viral Blog Sparks Short‑
two thoughts: 1) viral blog post shorting in the hole? 2) funds, apparently short these stocks, helped with the article 🤔? clarification needed. tbd but fun to watch. https://t.co/SCzhCMC5Fo
Europe's Anti‑Russia Stance Fails: Oil Still Bought
Are the RUSSOPHOBES in Europe still buying Russian oil? The answer is YES. SANCTIONS = NEVER WORK. https://t.co/EGIEz4CjE2
Bay Area's Tech Boom Fuels Essex Growth Through 2026
Here are some highlights from Essex's (major West Coast apartment REIT) recent earnings call: 1) The Bay Area remains a bright spot for Essex, driven by tech jobs plus limited housing supply. Essex expecting same for 2026. https://t.co/bENUiyzAc3
China's Gold Reserves Jump 260% Since 2022
Since October 2022, China’s gold reserves have SURGED by 260%. BUY GOLD, WEAR DIAMONDS. https://t.co/ot9Q5fMQ8n
Co‑Packaged Optics Dominate Top Winners This Year
Just keeps going $FORM Seeing this Co-Packaged Optics discussed across a bunch of big winners this year https://t.co/sosRLrP3tq
Volatility Drops Across Board Despite Apparent Front Pressure
Yesterday SLV vols were down with the small down day...today vols are down across the board on the uptick. Unexpected. These are pct changes in the vols. It appears like the fronts are getting hit harder. But they're not... https://t.co/Py3JzocrxE
Trump Quiet on $2,000 Tariff Rebate Checks
EVERCORE: “.. Trump has not emphasized the $2,000 ‘tariff rebate’ checks since earlier this year, suggesting that at least for now this has fallen off the agenda ..” 😔 https://t.co/EN0kaph84R
Gap-Fill Speed Reveals Underlying Market Trend Strength
$SPY would have to decline to 688.35 and $QQQ to 608.99 to fill this morning’s gaps. How quickly the gaps get filled -- if at all – gives us an idea of how strong the underlying trend is. https://t.co/jdkTxguib0
BROS Rebounds After Pullback to Prior Reversal Level
$BROS daily pulled back to a former reversal level, tested and gap up today. https://t.co/1IjZkJ8stu
ARM Breaks 200 EMA, Signals Upward Move
$ARM price finally allowing me to move up the let it ride stops. watching for a move over the 200ema and then 100ma to move them up again. updated chart https://t.co/yv6Ovyqrxq