MBS RECAP: Widespread Negative Reprices as Traders Pull Up Stake

As expected/feared, the path of least resistance for bond markets has been that of weakness heading into the long weekend with big news waiting on the other side.  The big news in question is the potential agreement between Greece and its Eurozone creditors.  Generally, this has been traded as a net negative for domestic bond markets (and core European markets for that matter), and the current fear is that a firm agreement would warrant yet more negativity.

So in a situation where markets do the opposite of what bond traders prepare for, it's easier for  traders to sell now and run the risk of needing to buy later.  If they instead held on to bonds now, it would be comparatively harder to sell later, and more costly.

That tradeflow story accounts for a majority of the movement today as there were essentially no relevant headlines.  Both Treasuries and MBS traded narrow, consolidating ranges well within yesterday's ranges until finally breaking out as we crossed into the illiquid final 2 hours of the day.  Most lenders ended up repricing negatively.