Economy

a graph of a graph showing the rise of a mortgage rate

Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year

You want mortgage rates to fall – and they’ve started to. But is it going to last? And how low will they go? Experts say there’s room for rates to come down even more over the next year. And one of the leading indicators to watch is the 10-year treasury yield. Here’s why. The Link […]

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Jefferson signals cautionary stance on tariffs, labor and rate path

Key insight: Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson described a delicate balancing act, supporting moderate rate cuts to protect jobs while keeping long-term inflation under control. Supporting data: GDP growth slowed to 1.6% in the first half of 2025, and tariffs are nudging prices higher as long-term expectations remain anchored. Forward look: Jefferson emphasized durable inflation

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What banks need to know about this government shutdown

  What’s at stake: Mortgages requiring federal flood insurance will be more difficult to close during the shutdown, among other impacts.  Expert quote: For “financial services broadly, banks in particular, there are going to be disruptions.” — Brian Gardner, Stifel Financial Corp. Forward look: Extended shutdowns threaten federal worker pay and U.S. creditworthiness, potentially triggering

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Consumer confidence falls to five-month low on job concerns

US consumer confidence fell in September to a five-month low on growing concerns about job prospects and the broader economy. The Conference Board’s gauge of confidence decreased 3.6 points to 94.2, data released Tuesday showed. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for a reading of 96. READ MORE: Mortgages with rates

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Mortgage rates rise after FOMC’s decision

Mortgage rates increased this week as investors digested all the commentary from the September Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, one of the benchmarks used in pricing mortgages, was at 4.19%, after closing Wednesday at 4.15% and at 4.1% on Sept. 18, the day after the FOMC meeting. On Sept.

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More rate cuts eyed as Fed zeroes in on soft labor market

Key insight: The Federal Reserve’s move to cut rates was bolstered by growing concern over a softening labor market. Expert quote: “Almost everyone wrote down support for this cut. Some supported more cuts, and some didn’t — and that’s just how it is,” — Fed Chair Jerome Powell  What’s at stake: Despite the Fed moving

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Mortgage rates lower but full impact of FOMC not felt yet

Those who expected lower mortgage rates in the immediate aftermath of yesterday’s Federal Open Market Committee actions are likely disappointed with the early market response. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.13% at 11 a.m. Thursday, up 5 basis points from its close at 4.08% at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, an hour after the Fed

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Fed watchers anticipate rate cuts, watch for dissents

What’s at stake: The Federal Reserve’s interest rate-setting body is expected to cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, but markets are also listening for hints of further and/or deeper cuts in the coming months.   Expert quote: “There’s the possibility that the Fed will be sending mixed messages because the consensus probably won’t

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What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean mortgage rates will drop? Let’s clear up the confusion. The Fed Doesn’t Directly Set Mortgage Rates Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they’ll cut the Federal Funds

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Mortgage rates drop further as the odds of a Fed cut rises

Mortgage rates fell by a whopping 15 basis points this week, to their lowest point in almost a year, as Fed watchers are now certain a short-term rate cut is in the offing, Freddie Mac reported. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage was at 6.35% on Sept. 11, down from 6.5% one week ago, the Freddie

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