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☆ Inflation pushes up mortgage rates for second week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates climbed higher for the second consecutive week, following four weeks of declines. After climbing for most of 2022, mortgage rates had been trending downward since November, as various economic indicators indicated inflation may have peaked. Inflation is keeping mortgage rates volatile, 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. Last week, applications fell 7.7% from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

☆ Mortgage rates fall for fourth week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates fell slightly this week, as a smaller rate hike by the Federal Reserve signaled promising improvement on inflation. Mortgage rates have not been this low since September and are now nearly a full point below last year’s peak of 7.08%, last reached in early November. When Treasury yields go up, so do mortgage rates; when they go down, mortgage rates tend to follow. “The Federal Reserve controls short-term rates, but long-term rates, including 30-year mortgage rates, are a function of market expectations for the path of the economy,” said Mike Fratantoni, senior vice president and chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Even with lower rates in recent weeks, mortgage applications dropped 9% last week from the week before, according to MBA.

☆ Mortgage rates tick down ahead of Fed meeting next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates fell slightly this week, staying almost flat ahead of the Federal Reserve’s closely watched interest rate-setting meeting next week. 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. Mortgage applications riseThe downward trend for mortgage rates since November has had a positive impact on home affordability for mortgage borrowers. “Borrower demand, thanks to lower mortgage rates, continues to rise in early 2023,” said Bob Broeksmit, MBA president and CEO.

☆ Mortgage rates fall to levels last seen in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“As inflation continues to moderate, mortgage rates declined again this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. But mortgage rates dropped in November and December, following data that showed inflation may have finally reached its peak. 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. “While our 2023 forecast anticipates ongoing inflation causing upward pressure on rates, recent favorable data has helped to pull mortgage rates down,” said Xu.

☆ Dubai will become more expensive, DAMAC Chairman says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDubai will become more expensive, DAMAC Chairman saysDAMAC’s Founder and Chairman Hussain Sajwani discusses the property market in the UAE, and tells CNBC's Hadley Gamble that Dubai is becoming more expensive.

☆ Mortgage rates inched down last week, after a slight increase the week before
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates inched down last week, after a slight increase the week before. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.33% in the week ending January 12, down from 6.48% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. But mortgage rates dropped in November and December, following data that showed inflation may have finally reached its peak. 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.

☆ Premarket stocks: These three big unknowns will drive markets in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And there are three big “ifs” that will determine the health of the economy: The strength of the labor market, the American consumer and the Federal Reserve. Will the labor market cool off? This is all happening as the Fed tries to actively cool the labor market. Policymakers fear that persistent wage growth in a tight labor market will keep already sky-high inflation levels elevated. Mortgage rates continue to soarMortgage rates rose again last week, beginning 2023 twice as high as they were a year ago.

☆ Mortgage rates start 2023 twice as high as they were a year ago
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates inched up again last week, after a slight increase the week before interrupted six straight weeks of falling rates. But mortgage rates dropped in November and December, following data that showed inflation may have finally reached its peak. “Mortgage application activity sunk to a quarter-century low this week as high mortgage rates continue to weaken the housing market,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While mortgage market activity has significantly shrunk over the last year, inflationary pressures are easing and should lead to lower mortgage rates in 2023.”The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. Although mortgage rates did increase slightly in recent weeks, the association expects them to fall to around 5.2 percent by the end of 2023.

CNN —Mortgage rates rose this week, their first increase after falling for six consecutive weeks, according to the latest data from Freddie Mac. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.42% in the week ending December 29, up from 6.27% the week before and capping a rollercoaster year for homebuyers that saw mortgage rates more than double in less than 12 months. “The housing market remains in the doldrums with declining sales, inventory and prices,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Mortgage rates rose throughout most of 2022 amid the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of harsh interest rate hikes aimed at taming soaring inflation. But mortgage rates have tumbled in the last several weeks, following various data points that showed inflation may have finally reached its peak.

☆ Premarket stocks: The Grinch comes for retailers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

What’s happening: US retail sales, which measure the total amount of money that stores make from selling goods to customers, fell 0.6% in November, the weakest performance in nearly a year. The Fed factor: November’s report could indicate that consumers are feeling the double-punch of sky-high inflation and painful interest rate hikes from the central bank. This retail sales data adds to recessionary concerns, as it suggests that consumers may be becoming more cautious with their spending. Those increases were spurred by the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of harsh interest rate hikes to tame soaring inflation. The Fed announced on Wednesday that it will continue to raise interest rates — albeit by a smaller amount than it has been.

☆ Mortgage rates drop for fifth week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington, DC CNN —Mortgage rates fell once again this week, dipping for the fifth straight week. But mortgage rates have tumbled in the last several weeks, following data that showed inflation may have finally reached its peak. The rate hike was already factored in to where mortgage rates are, but signaled more good news on inflation. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds. Mortgage applications tick upFor people looking to buy a home, and homeowners wanting to sell, the retreat in mortgage rates over the past several weeks has been welcome.

☆ U.S. vs. China: Can Comac’s C919 Compete With Boeing’s 737?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TV Shows Are Too Dark! Here’s How to Fix That. TV shows like “House of the Dragon” and “Stranger Things” have come under fire for being too dark. WSJ’s Kenny Wassus spoke with experts about why shows are leaving us squinting and how to adjust your TV to help. Illustration: Alex Kuzoian for The Wall Street Journal

☆ Premarket: Oil stocks are pointing to higher gas prices to come
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Brutally high oil and gas prices were the talk of the town in 2022 and one of the largest contributing factors to sky-high inflation. Oil prices and energy stocks are closely interlinked — so this discrepancy is an odd one and could mean that lower gas prices may not be here to stay. What’s happening: The price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil, the US benchmark, which is a large driver of gas prices, has fallen to its lowest level of the year this week — under $72 a barrel. But even though gas prices are falling, they’re still higher than they have been over the past few years. Exxon and Chevron are also speculating that crude prices will remain elevated and that demand will grow.

☆ Mortgage rates fall for the third week in a row as inflation fears ease
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Mortgage rates dipped again this week, marking the third straight week of falling rates. Mortgage rates have risen throughout most of 2022, spurred by the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of hiking interest rates in order to tame soaring inflation. But in the last couple of weeks, mortgage rates have tumbled following reports that indicated inflation may have finally reached its peak. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. Taken together with yesterday’s news from Powell, US Treasury yields fell, suggesting mortgage rates are likely to go in the same direction.

☆ Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac dead at 79
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the band’s statement read. “Chicken Shack used to open for [Fleetwood Mac],” she told The Guardian in June 2022. Then of course I started to miss it,” McVie told The Guardian about her 16 year hiatus from Fleetwood Mac. She will be so very missed.”Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. 🩸 — Garbage (@garbage) November 30, 2022“Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie,” the rock band Garbage tweeted from their verified Twitter account.

☆ Mortgage rates fall for the second week in a row
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Mortgage rates dropped again this week, after plunging nearly half a percentage point last week. Mortgage rates have risen throughout most of 2022, spurred by the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of hiking interest rates in order to tame soaring inflation. But last week, rates tumbled amid reports that indicated inflation may have finally reached its peak. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. As a result of the drop in mortgage rates, both purchase and refinance applications picked up slightly last week.

☆ Premarket stocks: Fed officials crushed investors' hopes this week
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But messaging from Fed officials this week has brought Wall Street back down to earth. Tech layoffs don’t mean impending recessionA series of high-profile layoffs have rattled Big Tech this month. The series of high-profile layoff announcements prompted fears that the labor market was weakening and that a recession could be around the corner. Those fears aren’t unwarranted: The Federal Reserve is actively working to slow economic growth and tighten financial conditions to rebalance the white-hot labor market. “The main problem in the labor market is still that labor demand is too strong, not too weak,” they concluded.

☆ Mortgage rates plunge to 6.61% amid signs of easing inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Mortgage rates dropped sharply last week following a series of economic reports that indicated inflation may finally be easing. Mortgage rates have risen throughout most of 2022, spurred by the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of hiking interest rates in order to tame soaring inflation. While the Fed does not set the interest rates borrowers pay on mortgages directly, its actions influence them. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds. Mortgage rates are expected to remain volatile for the rest of the year.

☆ Premarket stocks: Wall Street picks hope over reality after inflation report
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN Business —Stocks surged on Thursday in their best day since 2020 after a key inflation indicator came in softer than expected. Investors broke out their party hats as they interpreted the report to mean that peak inflation may finally be behind us. Crypto-advocates were hoping that rising interest and inflation rates would drive investors away from the dollar and into alternative assets like gold and Bitcoin. Then, central banks started raising rates to fight inflation, and the dollar strengthened significantly, seducing investors as the ultimate safe haven. Mortgage rates have risen throughout most of 2022, spurred by the Federal Reserve’s regime of interest rate hikes.

☆ Mortgage rates rise back above 7%
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Mortgage rates have jumped back above 7%, after dropping last week. Mortgage rates have risen throughout most of 2022, spurred by the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented campaign of hiking interest rates in order to tame soaring inflation. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds. As investors see or anticipate rate hikes, they make moves which send yields higher and mortgage rates rise. Affordability is not improvingWith mortgage rates up four percentage points from a year ago, buyers’ purchasing power has plummeted.

☆ Comac’s C919, Challenger to Boeing and Airbus, Debuts at China Airshow
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Midterm Elections Are Different This Year. Here’s Why The contentious 2020 presidential election made a lasting impact on the way Americans vote. Here’s a look at what’s different for the midterms—from new voting regulations and methods to poll watchers and voter turnouts—and what sparked these changes. Photo: David Goldman/Associated Press

☆ China's biggest air show opens under cloud of zero-COVID policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING (Reuters) -A scaled-down version of China’s biggest air show opened on Tuesday, with some delegates unable to attend because of the country’s zero-COVID policy as virus case numbers there reached their highest level in six months. The show’s organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The zero-COVID policy comes amid a broader decoupling from the West in the aerospace industry as China aims for increased self-reliance and watches the effects of strict export sanctions placed on Russia’s aviation industry because of that country’s invasion of Ukraine. China Southern did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China is also showing off a FH-97A “Loyal Wingman” drone model designed to coordinate with crewed aircraft, the Global Times reported.

☆ Why Mortgage Rates Are So Darn High
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Telis Demos | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate topped 7% for the first time in two decades. It makes sense that mortgage rates are up. Freddie Mac’s weekly average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has cracked 7% for the first time in two decades, a rise just shy of 4 percentage points from the end of last year. By contrast, benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields are up around 2.5 points. What this means is that the gap—or spread, in financial lingo—between mortgage rates and Treasury yields has ballooned.

☆ Mortgage rates top 7% for the first time since 2002
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Mortgage rates rose again this week, topping 7% for the first time since 2002. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.08% in the week ending October 27, up from 6.94% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. The last time the average rate surpassed 7% was in April 2002. Mortgage rates have risen almost every week since late August and more than doubled since the beginning of the year. The combination of the central bank’s rate hikes, investor’s concerns about a recession and mixed economic news has made mortgage rates increasingly volatile over the past several months.

☆ Mortgage rates rise again, creeping closer to 7%
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Mortgage rates have more than doubled since the beginning of this year as the Federal Reserve pushed ahead with its unprecedented campaign of hiking interest rates in order to tame soaring inflation. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds. As investors see or anticipate rate hikes, they make moves which send yields higher and mortgage rates rise. This week, the 10-year US Treasury hit a high not seen since 2008, an indication that mortgage rates could rise even further. Affordability remains a challengeHigher mortgage rates are making it even harder for prospective buyers to afford a home.

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