Mortgage origination volumes are expected to stay flat year-over-year in 2018 at $1.65 trillion, as modestly rising purchase-mortgage volume is partially offset by declining refinances. The one bright spot is the mortgage insurance sector, according to analysts’ outlook in 2018. Sluggish mortgage activity suggests modest revenue growth in the sector with one exception – mortgage insurance, according to a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysis. KBW expects its “outperform” ratings for ...