The official national 30-year fixed closed Monday at 6.78%, up 0.01 from Friday's 6.77%. Tuesday's print is not out until about 4 p.m. ET. Early Tuesday, mortgage-backed bonds are moderately stronger, which can mean slightly lower rates today if it holds.
Did mortgage rates go up on Monday?
Barely. Mortgage News Daily's daily index as of August 24:
- 30-year fixed: 6.78% (+0.01)
- 15-year fixed: 6.62% (+0.01)
- 30-year jumbo: 6.88% (unchanged)
- 7/6 ARM: 6.38% (+0.02)
- 30-year FHA: 6.34% (+0.01)
- 30-year VA: 6.36% (+0.01)
Freddie Mac's weekly 30-year is still 6.65%.
Bonds actually improved a bit versus Friday's close. Rates still ticked higher because lenders set Friday's sheets when bonds were at their best levels of that day. Monday's "improvement" was versus Friday's close, not versus the window when rate sheets were locked. Compare those windows and bonds were flat to slightly weaker.
The 10-year finished Monday at 4.70%, down 3 basis points from Friday's 4.73%, with the note up 9/32 in price.
Individual lender quotes differ from a national index. A locked rate is not a closed loan.
What did Monday's data show?
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for July fell to −0.08 from −0.02 in June. Below zero means growth a bit under the historical trend. Weakness was broad (three of four major categories fell). The report reads as an economy that lost some steam but is still stable.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not confirm extra buybacks after a report that the Treasury General Account (about $935 billion) could fund more long-term purchases. He told reporters, "We haven't bought a single bond yet." Last week's plan to expand longer-dated purchases is still the announced program. The cash-balance rumor is not a new trade.
What is moving rates this morning?
ADP said private payrolls rose an average of 11,750 per week in the latest four weeks, versus 9,500 in the prior four-week stretch.
Longer-term Treasury yields are lower this morning. Current-coupon MBS prices were about 3/32 better than Monday's close, and Mortgage News Daily's Tuesday trend is "moderately stronger," which can pull mortgage rates a little lower if it holds into the afternoon lock window.
Housing and confidence prints were still ahead when the morning recap went out: FHFA and Case-Shiller house prices at 9:00 a.m. ET, then 10:00 a.m. new home sales (survey 620,000 vs 628,000) and Conference Board consumer confidence (survey 90.2 vs 90.8).
Wednesday's July PCE and Friday's Warsh Jackson Hole speech remain the week's bigger rate events.
What does this mean if you are buying or refinancing?
Monday was a tiny worse print after a three-day grind higher (6.76, 6.77, 6.78). Tuesday morning is better. If a payment already works, locking takes 6.78% off the table before Wednesday PCE. Waiting is a bet that today's MBS bid, PCE, or Jackson Hole helps the 10-year.
Run a payment estimate, then look at purchase or refinance options. See when refinancing beats waiting.
FAQ
What is today's official 30-year mortgage rate?
Monday's 6.78%, up 0.01. Tuesday's index publishes around 4 p.m. ET.
Why did rates rise if bonds improved?
Timing. Friday's rate sheets were set when bonds were already at their best. Monday's bond bid came after that window.
Did Treasury start the extra buybacks?
Not yet. Bessent said they have not bought a single bond.
Should I lock or wait?
Monday was a tiny worse print after a three-day grind higher (6.76, 6.77, 6.78). Tuesday morning is better. If a payment already works, locking takes 6.78% off the table before Wednesday PCE. Waiting is a bet that today's MBS bid, PCE, or Jackson Hole helps the 10-year.
Sources: Mortgage News Daily daily rate index (as of August 24, 2026); Mortgage Rates Sideways to Slightly Higher; Chicago Fed National Activity Index (July): −0.08; 10-year Treasury Monday close 4.70% (−3 bp); ADP weekly employment change (four-week average): 11,750; U.S. Treasury / Bessent remarks on buybacks; Conference Board and Census new-home-sales calendar (10:00 a.m. ET).