The government has released delayed reports on home construction, home sales, GDP, and the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, PCE, following last fall’s shutdown. Here’s a look at the key highlights.

Last week, the market decided it didn’t believe the strong January BLS jobs report — especially not in light of the huge revisions to the full-year 2025 numbers. Then on Friday we got a big drop in the January CPI (inflation). Net result: US treasury yields moved sharply lower and mortgage rates followed.

The MBS Highway National Housing Index jumped in February 2026, rising 9 points from January to 43. A year ago, the index stood at 41. Lower mortgage rates and improved affordability are boosting the normal seasonal upswing.

A busy week at the Federal Reserve featured President Trump’s plan to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair and a divided decision to hold interest rates steady.

Weighing your financial readiness alongside local market trends can help you choose the right balance of timing, affordability, and long-term growth.

MBS Highway is excited to announce our new Strike Rate tool, which was designed to help our subscribers capture more refinance opportunities that are sitting right in their pipeline – immediately as they become available.