Job growth in the private sector made a surprise surge last month, raising doubts about whether the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates in December. Companies added 42,000 jobs in October, more than expected and the first monthly payroll growth since July, according to data released by payroll processor ADP on Wednesday. With federal … Read more
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut this week was widely expected, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments afterward included surprises that are poised to send mortgage rates higher. After Fed policymakers voted to cut the benchmark rate by a quarter point, Powell told reporters that another rate cut in December is “far from” certain, acknowledging … Read more
Mortgage rates pulled back Thursday to their lowest level in over a year, a day after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the second time this year as the government shutdown neared the one-month mark and major companies announced mass layoffs. The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans fell to 6.17% for the … Read more
Even as Federal Reserve officials deliberate this week on interest rate policy, major employers including Amazon, UPS, and Target are announcing significant layoffs that may heighten the urgency for a rate cut. On Tuesday, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) began their two-day meeting, Amazon … Read more
Mortgage rates dipped yet again. The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed rate fell to 6.19%, its lowest level in more than a year. That’s a meaningful drop, and it comes as markets fully price in another possible Federal Reserve rate cut after it meets next week. While this gives buyers some breathing room, it’s worth noting … Read more