In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley discuss the Fed’s final rate cut of 2025, labor market uncertainty, and the biggest economic events shaping mortgage rates. They share expert insights on tariffs, tech-driven capital spending, housing trends, and regulatory changes, offering a clear picture of what to expect in 2026.

Key Points Discussed:

• Market update and Fed policy outlook
• Fed’s final 2025 rate cut and hawkish tone
• Labor market uncertainty and job revisions
• Upward pressure on rates from tech investment, tariffs, and volatility
• Downward pressure from global conflicts and softening labor market
• Housing market slowdown and regional trends
• Regulatory changes and FHFA’s creative proposals
• AI’s influence on economic dynamics and capital spending

Optimal Insights Team:

• Jim Glennon, Senior Vice President of Hedging and Trading Operations
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager
• James Cahill, MSF/MSR Account Manager
• Kevin Foley, Director of Product Management

Production Team:

• Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
• Producer: Matt Gilhooly

Commentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice.

Mentioned in this episode:

Optimal Blue Summit 2026 | February 23-25 | Scottsdale, Arizona

In case you missed it – Optimal Blue has announced the dates for its 2026 Summit! Join us February 23 – 25 at Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a client-exclusive event packed with strategic insight and innovation. Attendees will gain early access to Optimal Blue’s latest generative AI and automation tools, dive into expert-led sessions on pricing, compliance and more, and experience hands-on demos of new capabilities. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with capital markets pros, integration partners, and mortgage insiders—all while gaining actionable strategies to maximize profitability and sharpen your competitive edge. The Optimal Blue Summit: where proven mortgage expertise meets modern innovation to shape what's next. Early bird registration is now open at Summit.OptimalBlue.com – space is limited, so register today! News release: https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimal-blue-to-host-its-2026-summit-february-23-25-in-scottsdale Registration: Summit.OptimalBlue.com

Summit - OI

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