It Figures

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Remain Low as 10-Year Treasury Yield Climbs

It would be interesting to see how this spread compares with the 10-20 year spread history. My impression is, but I am not sure, that since the mid '90's it has averaged near 180 bps. If that is correct, today's spread is tighter that during the panic of earlier in the year but can't really be considered tight vs. history.

There is good money to be made in mortgage lending today, with spreads wide and (new loan) credit quality better than in many, many years. Just look at Q1 mortgage origination profitability at the big mortgage players - JPM, BAC, WFC, etc.The wipe-out of the "crazies" over the last few years has signicantly changed the competitive landscape.

2008 Performance of Stocks, Oil, Dollar, Long Bond

Hard to see why above rants should be disappointed when a post titled "2008 Performance of Stocks..." presents data on 2008 performance! It's like the woman complaining about all the pornography on her VCR.

Think before you click.

15 Key Types of Bond ETFs: 2008 Review

Very Interesting. I don't know much about bond conventions, so two questions. Why weekly performance? While I can get the message of each chart, I'm not sure what any particular plot point actually represents. Do I add (actually multiply) together sequential plot points to determine performance from dates " A" to "B"?

Second, are these based on total return numbers, or strictly the price return on the ETF? It would seem with these especially, periodic payments count.

Thanks