Mortgage rates improved today

as yesterday’s late afternoon gains have been sustained this morning. Initially bonds were more improved after weak jobless claims data was released but once traders got into the details of the report showing it was due to an administrative backlog from the holidays, bonds lost some ground. Strong trade balance data is also pressuring bonds. Currently we’re still above Wednesday’s closing marks—but barely. The Dow is down a mere 13-points at the moment. Today brings the final leg of Treasury auctions with the 30-year long bond on the block. Results due out around 10am.