DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.6% from 6.66% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The decline, which follows two weeks of increases, brings the average rate down to the lowest level it's been in since late May, when it was 6.57%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also eased this week, dropping the average rate to 5.76% from 5.87% last week. The decline in mortgage rates has followed a pullback in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans. Still, at this point, economists generally predict the average rate on a 30-year mortgage going no lower than 6%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Organizations: ANGELES, Treasury, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S

Mortgage rates dropped substantially toward the end of last year, but it could be a few months before we see them ease further. This week, average 30-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.66%, according to Freddie Mac, a four-basis-point increase from the week before. Though we may need to wait a bit longer for the Fed to start cutting rates, once it does, mortgage rates should recede somewhat. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowToday's refinance ratesMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Zillow, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ Dividend stocks could see a revival in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Dividend stocks fell out of favor in 2023, even as all three major US indexes overcame regional banking turmoil, high interest rates and geopolitical tensions to notch double-digit returns. As interest rates rose to a 22-year high, investors favored bonds at attractive yields over riskier stocks offering smaller payouts. Some traders believe that dividend stocks could make a comeback this year. Larry Adam, chief investment officer at Raymond James, favors dividend stocks in sectors like tech and healthcare for their growth qualities, over traditionally defensive categories like utilities. His firm only invests in dividend stocks that have that growth component, he says.

Persons: ”, Morgan Stanley, Larry Adam, Raymond James, Adam, Elisabeth Buchwald, John Cochrane, Anna Bahney, Freddie Mac, who’ve, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Read Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Mastercard, Companies, Hoover Institute, “ Locations: New York

☆ Mortgage rates inch up for the second week in a row, landing at 6.66%
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates ticked up this week for the second week in a row, but remain more than a full percentage point lower than their high last year. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.66% in the week ending January 11, up from 6.62% the previous week, according to data from Freddie Mac released Thursday. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. Lower mortgage rates expected to bring new inventoryWhile mortgage rates trending lower is welcome news for homebuyers, those in the market are still dealing with the double whammy of low inventory and high home prices that continue to rise. But, she added, the pace of mortgage rates declining is likely to be slower going forward than the dramatic nine-week drop at the end of 2023.

Persons: Freddie Mac, who’ve, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, That’s, Jiayi Xu, Xu Organizations: DC CNN —, “, Federal, Treasury Locations: Washington

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Mortgage Rates for Buying a Home30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decline (-0.16%)The current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.75%, down 16 basis points since this time last week. 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Go Down (-0.18%)The average 20-year fixed mortgage rate is down 18 basis points from last week and sits at 6.40%. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Decrease (-0.17%)The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.12%, down a bit from last week. Mortgage rates have risen throughout 2023, and they're higher than they were in November 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, It's, refinance Organizations: Zillow, FHA Locations: Chevron

☆ Mortgage rates drop for fifth straight week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s the fifth straight week rates have moved lower. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. According to a forecast from Realtor.com, the average mortgage rate is projected to be 6.8% in the next year. “As mortgage rates are expected to remain elevated, current homeowners with low mortgage rates are expected to stay put, leading to a decline in for-sale inventory,” said Xu.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, “, Khater, Jiayi Xu, Xu, ” Xu, Joel Kan, ” Kan Organizations: DC CNN —, Inflation, Federal, Realtor.com, Treasury, Mortgage, Association Locations: Washington

The latest decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.22% from 7.29% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at the lowest level it’s been in 10 weeks, when it was 7.19%. “Market sentiment has significantly shifted over the last month, leading to a continued decline in mortgage rates,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. The average rate on a 30-year home loan climbed above 6% in September 2022 and has remained above that threshold since. The elevated mortgage rates and a near-historic-low supply of homes on the market have held back the housing market this year.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, “ Organizations: ANGELES, Mortgage Bankers Association, Treasury, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S

Average 30-year mortgage rates fell to 7.29% this week, 15 basis points down from last week, according to Freddie Mac. "Mortgage rates continued to decrease heading into the Thanksgiving holiday," Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist, said in a press release. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. But experts believe the central bank is done raising rates, which means mortgage rates should ease somewhat. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Mortgage rates fall for fourth week but stay above 7%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates fell again in the most recent week, as inflation showed signs of slowing. It’s the fourth consecutive week of tumbling rates after rising for seven straight weeks. The average rate rose above 7% in mid-August and since then reached as high as 7.79% at the end of October. “In a few short weeks, mortgage rates have largely erased the sharp climb traversed in October,” said Danielle Hale, Realtor.com’s chief economist. Meanwhile, she added, existing home sales slid to their worst reading since 2010 as home prices rose and mortgage rates pushed the cost of buying even higher.

Persons: Freddie Mac, “, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Danielle Hale, Hale, homebuyers, ” Hale Organizations: DC CNN — Locations: Washington

The latest decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.29% from 7.44% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. “In recent weeks, rates have dropped by half a percent, but potential homebuyers continue to hold out for lower rates and more inventory,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesThe average rate on a 30-year home loan climbed above 6% in September 2022 and has remained above that threshold since. Just four weeks ago, it averaged 7.79% — the highest average on record going back to late 2000. The average rate is now at the lowest level it’s been in nine weeks, when it was 7.19%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, “, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Organizations: ANGELES, Treasury, Federal Reserve Locations: U.S

Mortgage rates have taken a nosedive over the past few weeks as the economy continues to show signs of slowing. Average 30-year mortgage rates fell to 7.44% this week, the lowest they've been since late September, according to Freddie Mac. "For the third straight week, mortgage rates trended down, as new data indicates that inflationary pressures are receding," Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist, said in a press release. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates are 6.76% this week, a five-basis-point drop from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Mortgage rates fall for third straight week, bringing some homeseekers off the sidelines
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Mortgage rates have cooled in recent weeks as markets absorbed the latest economic indicators, including an improving inflation picture. “For the third straight week, mortgage rates trended down, as new data indicates that inflationary pressures are receding,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “The gap between the 10-year Treasury yield and the 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate is historically around 180 basis points,” she said. “While the gap has narrowed somewhat, the 30-year mortgage rate remains 280 basis points higher than the bond yield.”By historical norms, she said, mortgage rates should be under 6.5%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Price, Jiayi Xu, Jerome, Powell, ” Xu, Bob Broeksmit, Lawrence Yun, ” Yun, “, Lisa Sturtevant, ” Sturtevant Organizations: DC CNN —, Mortgage, Association, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Consumer, “, National Association of Realtors, Bright MLS Locations: Washington

☆ Mortgage rates plummet by largest amount in a year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates tumbled this week in the biggest one-week drop since last November. “Many consumers are feeling strained by the high cost of living, so unless mortgage rates decrease significantly, the housing market will remain stagnant.”The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. But while mortgage rates remain relatively high, the difference between rates now and what they were a year ago has narrowed, said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright Multiple Listing Service. “We are in a new era for mortgage rates, where prospective homebuyers can expect rates to settle above 6%,” said Sturtevant.

Persons: It’s, Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Joel Kan, Jiayi Xu, Xu, Realtor.com, Lisa Sturtevant, Sturtevant Organizations: DC CNN —, “, Treasury, Mortgage, Association Locations: Washington

The decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.76% from 7.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. As mortgage rates rise, they can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting how much they can afford in a market already out of reach for many Americans. The average rate on a 30-year home loan climbed above 6% in September 2022 and has remained above that threshold since. And higher yields on 10-year Treasurys tend to push up mortgage rates. The average rate was unchanged from last week at 7.03%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, it’s, Lisa Sturtevant, Bob Broeksmit Organizations: ANGELES, Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Bright MLS, ”, Treasury Department, Mortgage, Association, “ Locations: U.S

☆ The Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged. Here's what that means for your wallet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

watch nowThe Federal Reserve left its target federal funds rate unchanged for the second consecutive time Wednesday. What the federal funds rate means for youThe federal funds rate, which is set by the central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. To a certain extent, many households have been shielded from the brunt of the Fed's rate hikes so far, House said. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did as well, and credit card rates followed suit. If the 10-year yield stays near 5%, federal student loan interest rates could increase again when they reset in the spring, costing student borrowers even more in interest.

Persons: Brett House, that's, Sung Won Sohn, Sohn, bode, Greg McBride, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, Tiffany Hagler, Bankrate, Jacob Channel Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Columbia Business School, Loyola Marymount University, SS Economics, Treasury, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Auto Locations: Larchmont , New York

The still-heated economy and uncertainty over whether it will cool sufficiently has pushed mortgage rates up in recent weeks. Average 30-year mortgage rates are closer to 8% than they've been in 23 years, reaching 7.79% this week, according to Freddie Mac. Average 15-year mortgage rates are also extremely high, and have surpassed 7% for the first time since December 2000. But whether mortgage rates will drop in 2023 hinges on if the Federal Reserve can get inflation under control. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Federal Reserve, Fed, Mortgage, Association, Sky Locations: Chevron

☆ The Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates next week, but consumers are unlikely to feel any relief
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

After the previous rate hikes, the average credit card rate is now more than 20% — an all-time high. Even without a rate hike, APRs may continue to rise, according to according to Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and these rates followed suit. Federal student loans are now at 5.5%Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by the Fed's moves. But undergraduate students who take out new direct federal student loans are now paying 5.50% — up from 4.99% in the 2022-23 academic year and 3.73% in 2021-22.

Persons: Chris Wattie, Matt Schulz, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's Organizations: Reuters, Treasury, Auto

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cost of financing a home surged again this week with the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate at its highest level since December 2000. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.63% from 7.57% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate rose to 6.92% from 6.89% last week. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now more than double what it was two years ago, when it was just 3.09%. The weekly average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained above 7% since mid-August and is now at the highest level since Dec. 1, 2000, when it averaged 7.65%.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Bob Broeksmit Organizations: ANGELES, “, Mortgage, Association, ”, Treasury, U.S Locations: U.S

Mortgage rates have started October significantly higher than they were a month ago. Last week, mortgage applications for home purchases dropped to their lowest level since 1995, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Wednesday. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.49%, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased over three percentage points in 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, you'll Organizations: Federal, Mortgage Bankers Association, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cost of financing a home surged again this week as the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed to its highest level since December 2000, further dimming the affordability outlook for many would-be homebuyers. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.49% from 7.31% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now more than double what it was two years ago, when it was just 2.99%. The weekly average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained above 7% since mid-August and is now at the highest level since Dec. 8, 2000, when it averaged 7.57%. Mortgage rates have been climbing along with the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing loans.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Organizations: ANGELES, Mortgage, Association, Federal, Treasury, Federal Reserve, U.S Locations: U.S

☆ Mortgage rates climb to 7.49%, hurting home sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Washington, DC CNN —US mortgage rates climbed even higher this week, hitting 7.49% and pushing homeownership further out of reach for would-be homebuyers. “Unsurprisingly, this is pulling back homebuyer demand.”Mortgage rates have spiked during the Federal Reserve’s historic inflation-curbing campaign. The central bank has indicated it may keep rates higher for longer, due to stubborn inflation. That has pushed up the 10-year Treasury yield, a key benchmark for mortgage rates. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country.

Persons: homeownership, Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Organizations: DC CNN, Federal, ”, Treasury, National Association of Realtors Locations: Washington

Average 30-year mortgage rates reached a 23-year high of 7.31% this week, according to Freddie Mac. "However, unlike the turn of the millennium, house prices today are rising alongside mortgage rates, primarily due to low inventory. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.31%, according to Freddie Mac.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, it's Organizations: Federal, Zillow Locations: Chevron

Average 30-year mortgage rates increased just one basis point this week to 7.19%, according to Freddie Mac. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.19%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.54% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates started ticking up from historic lows in the second half of 2021 and increased significantly in 2022.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

☆ The Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged. Here's how it impacts your money
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did as well, and credit card rates followed suit. The average rates for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage "remain anchored north of 7%," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist. Already, the average rate for a HELOC is up to 9.12%, the highest in 22 years, according to Bankrate. Student loansFederal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by the Fed's moves. But undergraduate students who take out new direct federal student loans are now paying 5.50% — up from 4.99% in the 2022-23 academic year and 3.73% in 2021-22.

Persons: that's, Matt Schulz, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, Greg McBride Organizations: Treasury, Bankrate.com, LendingTree

☆ The Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates this week. What that means for you
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty ImagesThe Federal Reserve is likely to skip an interest rate hike when it meets this week, experts predict. The central bank has already raised interest rates 11 times since last year — the fastest pace of tightening since the early 1980s. The average rates for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage "remain anchored north of 7%," said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist. Auto loan rates top 7%Even though auto loans are fixed, payments are getting bigger because the price for all cars is rising along with the interest rates on new loans. Federal student loans are now at 5.5%Federal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by the Fed's moves.

Persons: Greg McBride, that's, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's, McBride Organizations: Finance, Money, Homeowners, U.S, Treasury, Auto Locations: LendingTree, Federal

Search resuls for: "Sam Khater"

25 mentions found