Mortgage rates hit their lowest level since September 15, 2022 – Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes interest rates based on a survey of mortgage lenders throughout the week. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as of February 19, 2026, were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.01%, down from 6.09% last week. The 15-year fixed was 5.35%, down from 5.44% last week.
The graph below shows the trajectory of mortgage rates over the past year.
Stock markets – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 49,635.97, up 0.3% from 49,500.93 last week. It is up 3.3% year-to-date from 48,063.29 on December 31, 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week at 6,909.51, down 0.4% from 6,936.76 last week. The S&P is up 0.8% year-to-date from 6,845.50 on December 31, 2025. The Nasdaq closed the week at 22,886.07, up 1.5% from 22,546.67 last week. It is down 1.5% year-to-date from 23,241.99 on December 31, 2025.
U.S. Treasury Bonds – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 4.04%, down from 4.04% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 4.69%, down slightly from 4.69% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates follow bond yields.
California existing-home sales – The California Association of Realtors reported that existing-home sales totaled 256,550 on an annualized basis in January, down 10.8% from 287,570 in December and down 1.3% from 260,040 last January. The statewide median price paid for a home in was $823,180 in January, down 3.2%from $850,680 in December, and down 1.9% from $839,130 one year ago. The $823,180 median price marked to lowest median price in 23-months according to the California Association of Realtors.
Have a Great Weekend!