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☆ Mortgage rates fall for the third straight week, dipping below 7%
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —Mortgage rates declined for the third consecutive week in a shred of good news for Americans dealing with a still-tough housing market. Mortgage rates track the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield, which moves in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s decisions on interest rates. Stubbornly high inflation this year has dashed hopes that the Fed could cut interest rates in the spring or in the summer. Some Fed officials said earlier this week that they likely won’t raise interest rates again and a few have said they expect to cut rates this year. With mortgage rates still elevated, some homeowners are deciding to stay put.

Persons: Freddie Mac, inflation’s cooldown, there’s, homebuyers, ” Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, That’s, ” Lawrence Yun, ”, Yun, Joe Biden Organizations: Washington CNN —, Treasury, National Association of Realtors, Fed, Housing Locations: San Diego, Chicago, Detroit

☆ From more inventory to lower prices, here are 3 signs the housing market may be getting better for buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe housing market may be starting to turn a corner, offering frustrated buyers a chance to jump back into the market after a long stretch of dismal prospects. "We think the housing market is going to improve over the next half of a year," Glenn Kelman, the CEO of Redfin, in a recent interview. Inventory is risingMore inventory is finally trickling into the housing market, which could help push prices down. Elevated mortgage rates are a key problem in today's housing market, as they deter both buyers and sellers from making deals. Rates dropping to 5%-6% would make the housing market "explode," but even a 6.5% 30-year mortgage rate would be enough to make the housing market "very strong," Reffkin said.

Persons: —, Glenn Kelman, That's, Robert Reffkin, Reffkin, Freddie Mac, Redfin's Kelman, Kelman, Compass's Reffkin Organizations: Service, Business, National Association of Realtors, CNBC Locations: Reffkin, Texas, Florida

☆ Home sales: Prices in the US housing market continue to climb
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Rising US home prices are heightening the housing affordability crisis for Americans, especially first-time buyers. Housing affordability takes into account prices, household incomes and mortgage rates. Sales fell in April for the second month in a row as mortgage rates surged past 7%. Mortgage rates track the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note, which moves in anticipation of the Fed’s decisions on interest rates. Low housing affordability typically crimps demand.

Persons: it’s, ”, Lawrence Yun, Freddie Mac Organizations: Washington CNN —, National Association of Realtors, Global, NAR, Federal Reserve, Fed, Treasury Locations: San Diego, Chicago, Detroit, America, ”

☆ Microsoft thinks it found a way to make PCs relevant again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Microsoft jumped headfirst into building artificial intelligence directly into its Windows operating system on Monday, announcing new AI computers that could help ramp up flagging PC sales. The computers, which are packed with processors that power advanced AI tools, come as PC sales have stalled for years. Microsoft isn’t alone in its AI PC ambition. Dell and Lenovo also recently debuted AI-first PC computers under the Copilot+ AI umbrella, an emerging category that experts widely believe will become the next stage of computing. Last month, Microsoft reported quarterly profits of $21.9 billion, up from $18.3 billion a year ago.

Persons: Satya Nadella, “, ”, Bing, Dell, ” Geoff Blaber, Blaber, Jitesh, tailwinds Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Lenovo, Apple, Developers, CCS Insight, IDC Locations: Seattle, Wisconsin

☆ Microsoft is about to show off its next move in AI. Here's what to expect.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewIt's about to be a big week for Microsoft. Copilot and other AI features in WindowsWedbush analysts expect Microsoft to roll out more Copilot and AI features into its consumer and enterprise product stack. Related storiesIves said putting AI features into Windows will give developers the foundation to build AI use cases through Windows and, ultimately, Azure. Ives said the new AI Surface updates will start a new PC-driven cycle that's "AI-led, from Dell to Microsoft, and ultimately to Apple as well." But according to Ives, Microsoft will be a "showstopper."

Persons: —, Dan Ives, Wedbush's, Wedbush, Ives, Google Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Google, Business, Windows, Oracle, Apple, Dell, Ives

☆ With an Eye to Black Voters, Biden to Address Graduates at Morehouse College
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden will deliver a commencement speech to the graduates of Morehouse College on Sunday, an appearance that will put him directly in front of 500-plus young men who represent a slice of the electorate that is drifting away from him and toward his challenger, former President Donald J. Trump. On Saturday, Mr. Biden gave a preview of sorts to a group of supporters, many of them Morehouse alumni, shortly after his arrival in Atlanta. He told them that the election was not about two candidates but about a choice between protecting democracy and letting its ideals continue to backslide. It’s about the alternative as well,” Mr. Biden said to the audience at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, a local business owned by a Morehouse alumnus. “My opponent’s not a good loser, but he is a loser.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump, “ It’s, Mr, Mary Mac’s, “ Organizations: Morehouse College, Morehouse Locations: Georgia, Atlanta

Mortgage rates dropped last week following the release of April's Consumer Price Index data, which showed that inflation slowed last month. Mortgage rates are expected to go down as inflation decelerates toward the Fed's 2% target level. 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. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Freddie Mac Organizations: April's, Federal Reserve, Mortgage, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ Why some investors are bullish on this asset class that's yielding over 6%
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Right now, securitized products in general look relatively cheap, said John Kerschner, head of U.S. securitized products and portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors. To meet this need, Janus launched its Securitized Income ETF (JSI) in November, which invests across the securitized space. JSI YTD mountain Janus Henderson Securitized Income ETF Collateralized loan obligations Another fund Kerschner manages is the Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF . One way investors can get broad exposure to CMBS via BlackRock's iShares CMBS ETF . CMBS YTD mountain iShares CMBS ETF year to date However, Janus' Kerschner pointed out that all office work isn't going away.

Persons: Nick Travaglino, Nuveen, Travaglino, John Kerschner, Janus Henderson, Janus, Kerschner, Rick Rieder, I've, Rieder, CLOs, it's, isn't, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Kershner, We're Organizations: Investors, Fund, Janus Henderson Investors, SEC, Janus Henderson AAA CLO, Bank of America, AAA CLOs, BlackRock AAA CLO Locations: CLOs, BlackRock, Moody's, CMBS, multifamily

☆ Walmart says more diners are buying its groceries as fast food gets pricey
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart wants diners to find a value meal in its grocery aisles. As fast food gets pricier, the nation's largest grocer sees a sales opportunity. As customers see some grocery items stay the same price or even become cheaper, the gap between buying menu items and cooking food at home has grown even wider, he said. As of April, the price of food at home, a category that measures the total cost of food purchased at grocers or other food stores, was up 1.1% year over year. The price of food away from home rose significantly more: 4.1% year over year.

Persons: John David Rainey, McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, John Furner, Furner, — CNBC's Amelia Lucas Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, Yum Brands, Management Solutions, Restaurant, U.S . Labor Department, Walmart U.S Locations: U.S, Connecticut

☆ I'm a college athlete whose heart stopped during practice. Doctors thought I'd need a nursing home, but I'm already back on the field.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

When my mom was in labor, doctors thought I might be tangled in the umbilical cord because my heart rate would plummet and then stabilize. I was delivered by emergency C-section, and doctors soon realized that I had congenital heart defects. Still, I thought I'd adjusted well — until my heart stopped on the field. Even when I started breathing on my own, doctors thought I might need to go to a nursing home rather than a rehab facility because I was still so frail. AdvertisementTIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston was the only in-patient rehab hospital that would take me because my needs were so intensive.

Persons: Mac Kelso, Mac, Doctors, — Dr, Nikola Dragojlovic —, TIRR, Hermann, I've, — Organizations: Service, Business, Louisiana Tech University Locations: Oregon, Louisiana, Colorado, Houston, TIRR

☆ I ordered the same burger meal at McDonald's and Chili's, and the latter served up better value
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I ordered the same burger meal at McDonald's and Chili's Grill & Bar. The Chili's combo also had a bigger, better-tasting burger and was a better value. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe value wars are in full swing, as chain restaurants are trying to lure in customers with meal deals and burgers inspired by fast-food favorites. In April, the chain launched its Big Smasher burger, a dupe of the iconic Big Mac that comes with shredded lettuce, minced onion, and Thousand Island dressing.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Budget-minded homebuyers should look in these 23 cities where down payments are plummeting, even in an unaffordable housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Affordability remains a headacheHome affordability has taken a huge hit since the pandemic as mortgage rates, property prices, and — by extension — down payments have surged. Mortgage rates have since more than doubled at over 7%, and houses cost over $70,000 more at $332,000. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now roughly triple the 2.7% rate it was at in early 2021. The savings rate in the late 2010s was around 6.5% of disposable income, and it spiked early in the pandemic due to a surge of government stimulus. 23 cities where down payments are down meaningfullyAlthough affordability is limited as mortgage rates, home prices, and down payments have risen, there are still dozens of cities where the cost of buying a house is headed lower.

Persons: —, Hannah Jones, Realtor.com, Freddie Mac, they'd, Jones Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Realtor.com

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 interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched up to 6.38% this week, according to Freddie Mac data. Mortgage rates increased dramatically over the last two years, but they're expected to go down at some point this year.

Persons: Fannie Mae, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Sorry Microsoft — for now, you'll need a Mac to use the new desktop version of ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Microsoft is a key OpenAI investor but Windows users must wait to get access to ChatGPT on desktop. The app will be available for both free and paid users on Mac first of all. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA ChatGPT app is coming to Apple's Mac laptops before Windows despite Microsoft's hefty investment in the company. In a blog post, OpenAI said a new ChatGPT desktop app for macOS will be available for both free and paid users.

Persons: OpenAI, — Organizations: Microsoft, Service, Business

☆ Executives at these companies, including Disney, are scooping up stock amid the market comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Corporate executives and board members have made several notable buys of their own stock in the opening days of May, including a big Wall Street name buying shares of Walt Disney . Director James Gorman bought 20,000 shares of the entertainment company for $2.1 million on May 8, according to securities filings and VerityData. Gorman's buy is something of an outlier among Disney executives this year, as two executive vice presidents have made small sales in 2024. Several other Macerich insiders have also bought shares in May. Pegram also bought shares in March.

Persons: Walt Disney, James Gorman, Gorman, Morgan Stanley, Gorman's, Ali John Mirshekari, Martha Sullivan's, Jackson Hsieh, Macerich, Michael Pegram's, Pegram, —, Nick Wells Organizations: Walt, Disney, Sensata, MAC, Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Locations: America

☆ Apple desperately needs its Next Big Thing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Paris Marx | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

But after a decade of doing that, iPhone sales are slowing, revenue is down, and the company, again, needs to find its next big thing. Apple's own outlook suggests poor iPhone sales will persist, especially as sales in China rapidly decline. The drawbacks of Cook's divestment from product design and development are now becoming clearer. Both the EU and the US cases would also make some people more likely to switch to a cheaper phone, which would threaten iPhone sales even further. The drawbacks of Cook's divestment from product design and development are now becoming clearer.

Persons: Steve Jobs, Jobs, Apple, Tim Cook, Cook, haven't, Steve, Tripp Mickle, Jony Ive, we've, wouldn't, Let's, aren't, Peter Kafka Organizations: Apple, Apple Watch, IBM, Google, EU, Bloomberg, Nasdaq, Business Locations: China, Asia, India, Indonesia

Thirty-year mortgage interest rates have been holding steady after dipping below 7% earlier this month, according to Zillow data. Once the Fed is able to start cutting rates, mortgage rates should also go down. On the other hand, if April's CPI data shows signs of cooling, mortgage rates could inch down a bit further. 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. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

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

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 RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.09% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 6.38% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a nine-basis-point decrease from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Freddie Mac Organizations: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ Apple's new iPad Pro is thin and fast, but the software needs an update
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Todd Haselton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

I've been testing the new iPad Pro for several days and what I found is that it's a very nice iPad. The game will look better once Activision Blizzard releases an update enabling improved graphics for the M4 iPad Pro. 2024 13-inch Apple iPad Pro Todd Haselton | CNBCThe new iPads Pro support Apple's updated $350 Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (the 11-inch version is $300). 2024 13-inch Apple iPad Pro Todd Haselton | CNBCThe updated Apple Pencil Pro is also a lot of fun. What's bad2024 13-inch Apple iPad Pro Todd Haselton | CNBCHere's my biggest gripe about the Pro models: The software, iPadOS, is what you'll get on any other iPad.

Persons: I've, Apple hasn't, Christoph Dernbach, Diablo, it's, Todd Haselton, hasn't, Apple, Slack, you've, Tim Cook Organizations: Apple, Getty, Pro, Activision Blizzard, CNBC, CNBC Here's, Conference, WWDC Locations: It's, 10hz

The billionaire has shared videos of the Argentine president attacking “social justice” with his 182 million followers. One doctored image, which implied that watching a speech by Mr. Milei was better than having sex, is among Mr. Musk’s most viewed posts ever. Mr. Musk has helped turn the pugnacious libertarian into one of the new faces of the modern right. But offline, he has used the relationship to press for benefits to his other businesses, the electric carmaker Tesla and the rocket company SpaceX. “Elon Musk called me,” Mr. Milei said in a television interview weeks after taking office.

Persons: Javier Milei, Elon Musk, Musk, Milei, Musk’s, Tesla, “ Elon Musk, ” Mr Organizations: South, ”, Argentine, SpaceX Locations: Argentina

☆ 'The deals are going to come': A real-estate investor with over 40 years of experience shares the 2 financing strategies he used to build up his portfolio — and the best way new investors can start sc
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Preparation and being in the right place at the right time is how he said he's built up his real-estate portfolio in Erie County, Pennsylvania, over the last four decades. Throughout his real-estate investing journey, many of Miller's deals came about through seller financing and being at the right place at the right time. Another financing strategy Miller employed to build his portfolio was using a hard-money lender. "Hard-money lending is probably something that's going to help you grow your portfolio faster than any other thing," Miller said. "Most of these programs range anywhere from a hundred percent financing all the way up to 105% financing, depending on the state."

Persons: Joel Miller, he's, Miller, Miller —, —, Miller's, Jeff Welgan, Freddie Mac's, Welgan Organizations: Business, Facebook, Housing Act Locations: Erie County , Pennsylvania, New

☆ Fast food is expensive. Applebee’s and Chili’s are moving in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

For them, and the fast food chains they’re now competing against, the stakes are high. “Fast food has gotten really expensive,” Henkes said. On X, Chili’s asked whether Chili’s is better than fast food, and promised rewards to those who said yes. Chili’s also ran video ads comparing its food favorably to fast food burgers. “People go to sit-down restaurants, generally speaking, for different occasions, than they go to fast food restaurants,” he noted.

Persons: New York CNN — McDonald’s, Applebee’s, ” John Peyton, it’s, Peyton, “, ”, Henkes, McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, Ian Borden, we’ve, Chili’s, Kevin Hochman, Chili's, Jeffery Greenberg, David Henkes, ” Henkes Organizations: New, New York CNN, Dine Brands, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bloomberg, Applebee’s, Brinker International, Universal, “ Locations: New York, McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Technomic

☆ A new crop of startups wants to help solve loneliness among millennials and Gen Z. Here's how they're connecting strangers and making money.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Lauren Johnson | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Plus, the pandemic and the shift to working from home have made millennials and Gen Z lonelier than ever, thanks in part to doomscrolling. "I believe the conventional 'make friends' apps too closely mimic the dating model, which can feel awkward and high-pressure for making friends," he said. The group hosts "reading parties" at bars and event spaces with the goal of helping people connect through reading. Dinner With Friends, a group that throws dinner parties, has worked on sponsored events with brands like Bumble and Geneva. Dinner With Friends founder Anita Michaud said brands typically either sponsor entire dinners or provide products — like canned cocktails — for the dinner parties.

Persons: —, they've, Danial Hashemi, Sydney, Z, millennials, Cliff Lerner, Lisa Oreshkina, Saneblidze, Tom Worchester, Andreessen Horowitz, Victor Pontis, Luma, Liz Chick, Gen, Mira Hobbs, ReCreate's Chick, Anita Michaud, Peter Boyce II, Boyce, Maitree Mervana Parekh, Marlon Nichols, they're, it's, Ben Bradbury Organizations: Service, Business, Sydney Bradley, Big Tech, Tech, Timeleft, Reading, Facebook, VC, Wine, Bumble, New, Acrew, MaC Venture, Reading Rhythms Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, New York, Brooklyn, Squarespace, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London, San Francisco, Geneva

☆ I worked at SpaceX where Elon Musk was a cubicle away. At Elon's companies, it's add value or leave.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Vincent Peters worked in military compliance when he was poached to work at SpaceX. So I graduated on medical leave, couldn't be deployed, and continued on medical leave for another six months before being discharged. I was introduced to people on the SpaceX Mission team, and ultimately, they asked me to interview with them for a job at SpaceX. AdvertisementThat mentality is how I started working on Starlink. In 2020, I asked to help and was allowed to work on their projects in addition to my work at SpaceX.

Persons: Vincent Peters, —, couldn't, Freddie Mac, I'd, Gwynne Shotwell, I've, it's, It's, We're Organizations: SpaceX, Service, Federal Aviation Administration, US Government, SpaceX Mission, International, NASA, Department of Defense, SpaceX SpaceX, Elon Locations: West, cubicles, Elon

☆ I worked at SpaceX. It was the most ruthlessly efficient company I've ever worked for.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This is an as-told-to essay based on a transcribed conversation with Vincent Peters, founder of Inheritance AI and former SpaceX employee discussing his career path and experience at SpaceX. I was introduced to people on the SpaceX Mission team, and ultimately, they asked me to interview with them for a job at SpaceX. What it's like working at SpaceXSpaceX is the most efficient company I've ever worked for. AdvertisementThat mentality is how I started working on Starlink. In 2020, I asked to help and was allowed to work on their projects in addition to my work at SpaceX.

Persons: Vincent Peters, couldn't, Freddie Mac, I'd, Gwynne Shotwell, I've, it's, It's, We're Organizations: Service, SpaceX, Business, Federal Aviation Administration, US Government, SpaceX Mission, International, NASA, Department of Defense, SpaceX SpaceX, Elon Locations: West, cubicles, Elon

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