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Mortgage rates came down again last week, and with the expectation that they could fall further, mortgage demand suddenly jumped, especially for refinancing. The Federal Reserve is expected to make its first interest rate cut in four years on Wednesday, and while mortgage rates don’t follow the Fed exactly, they are influenced by policy. “The most important takeaway is that lower mortgage rates are not only not remotely guaranteed by [the] Fed rate cut. “Application activity was up significantly last week, as market expectations of a rate cut from the Fed pulled mortgage rates lower,” said Joel Kan, an economist with the Mortgage Bankers Association. “Homebuyers are seeing improving affordability conditions, sparked by lower rates and slower home-price growth.”

Persons: Jerome Powell’s, They’re, ”, Matthew Graham, Joel Kan, ” Kan, “ Organizations: Federal, Mortgage News, Mortgage, Labor, Fed, Association

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhy the world is closely watching changes coming from the Federal ReserveThe Federal Reserve manages interest rates to influence financial conditions within the United States. But those decisions can also affect the posture of other central banks because many aspects of international finance rely on U.S. dollars. As the world moves away from a global round of economic tightening, central bankers in the U.S. are seeking to extend the economic expansion, which is among the strongest in the world.

Organizations: Federal, Federal Reserve Locations: United States, U.S

☆ Stock market today: Indexes edge up ahead of major Fed interest rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US indexes edged higher as investors waited for a likely interest rate cut from the Fed. AdvertisementUS stocks rose on Wednesday as traders readied for what's likely to be the Federal Reserves's first rate cut in four years. "Though consensus is leaning toward a 50 basis point move, we look for the Fed to cut by 25 basis points today. AdvertisementFollowing the interest rate decision, all eyes will be on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who will deliver prepared remarks during a press conference. "While the market has usually bounced immediately following the 2 PM rate decision, the sell-off usually starts at or near the end of Powell's post-FOMC press conference."

Persons: Jerome Powell's, —, John Lynch, José Torres, Jerome Powell, Powell, shouldn't Organizations: Fed, Traders, Service, Federal, Comerica Wealth Management, Interactive, Deutsche Bank, Investment

☆ Weekly mortgage demand surges 14% higher as interest rates hit two-year low
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Mortgage rates came down again last week, and with the expectation that they could fall further, mortgage demand suddenly jumped, especially for refinancing. The Federal Reserve is expected to make its first interest rate cut in four years on Wednesday, and while mortgage rates don't follow the Fed exactly, they are influenced by policy. "The most important takeaway is that lower mortgage rates are not only not remotely guaranteed by [the] Fed rate cut. Even with this large jump in volume, it is coming off a very low base, as the vast majority of borrowers have loans with interest rates well below 5%. "Homebuyers are seeing improving affordability conditions, sparked by lower rates and slower home-price growth."

Persons: Jerome Powell's, They're, Matthew Graham, Joel Kan, Kan Organizations: Federal, Mortgage News, Mortgage, Labor, Fed, Association

☆ Fed rate cuts are arriving too late and layoffs show the US economy is already in a recession, bond king Jeff Gundlach says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Fed should have cut interest rates a lot sooner, according to Jeff Gundlach. The "Bond King" thinks the economy is already in recession, as evidenced by rising layoffs. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe Fed is cutting interest rates too late, as mounting job losses show that the US economy is already in a recession, according to Jeff Gundlach.

Persons: Jeff Gundlach, — Organizations: Challenger, Service, Business

☆ JPMorgan creates new role overseeing junior bankers as Wall Street wrestles with workload concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

JPMorgan Chase has created a new global role overseeing all junior bankers in an effort to better manage their workload after the death of a Bank of America associate in May forced Wall Street to examine how it treats its youngest employees. The firm named Ryland McClendon its global investment banking associate and analyst leader in a memo sent this month, CNBC has learned. The move shows how JPMorgan, the biggest American investment bank by revenue, is responding to the latest untimely death on Wall Street. Later that month, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said his bank was examining what it could learn from the tragedy. Exceptions can be made for live deals, said the person, who declined to be identified speaking about the internal policy.

Persons: Jamie, JPMorgan Chase, Wall, Ryland McClendon, McClendon, Bank of America's Leo Lukenas III, Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan's Organizations: JPMorgan Chase, U.S . Senate Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Wall, Capitol, Washington , D.C, JPMorgan, Bank of America, CNBC, Associates, Bank of America's Locations: Washington ,

☆ The 'Fed put' is back. Here's why central bankers will want to support the stock market, according to Fundstrat's Tom Lee.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

That's because the Fed wants a "healthy economy," a big component of which is a strong stock market, he said. AdvertisementThe "Fed put" is back, and stock investors may not be fully pricing in the good news, according to Fundstrat's head of research Tom Lee. The prominent stock bull pointed to the idea that central bankers could move to further ease monetary policy at any sign of weakness in the stock market. AdvertisementA healthy economy, though, hinges on consumer and business confidence, which is largely tied to the stock market, Lee said. We could be seeing turbulence for the next 8 weeks, but this is also in the context of a very strong stock market in 2024," he added.

Persons: Tom Lee, That's, —, Lee, There's Organizations: Fed, Service, Wednesday

☆ Oil prices steady, with investors focusing on Fed decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, after rising in the previous two sessions, as investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut, with the potential for more violence in the Middle East supporting the market. "Markets have calmed down as concerns over hurricane damage and escalating tensions in the Middle East have been factored in," said Mitsuru Muraishi, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities. "Now, investors are focusing on the Fed's rate cuts which could revitalize U.S. fuel demand and weaken the dollar," he said, predicting that oil prices are likely to maintain a bullish tone after Brent hit its lowest since 2021 last week. Traders kept bets the Fed will start an expected series of interest rate cuts with a half-percentage-point move downward on Wednesday, an expectation that may itself put pressure on central bankers to deliver just that. Oil stockpiles rose by 1.96 million barrels in the week ended Sept. 13, according to market sources citing the API figures, but gasoline and distillate stocks both rose by about 2.3 million barrels.

Persons: Hurricane Francine, Mitsuru Muraishi, Brent, Biden Organizations: U.S, U.S . Federal, Brent, Fujitomi Securities, Traders, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, U.S . Energy Locations: U.S ., U.S, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut

☆ Meet the ex-Googler joining Goldman Sachs to build tech and optimize its investment banking and trading business
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

As the incoming global head of technology engineering for Goldman Sachs' global banking and markets division, the ex-Googler will run the engineering team for Goldman's investment banking and sales and trading units. And lots of different challenges in the space given how much is being invested in this particular business," Goldman told Business Insider, referring to efforts to build systems that can handle the firm's anticipated growth in a compliant and resilient way. Goldman Sachs' core business of advising companies through mergers, acquisitions, and raising capital, has come under the spotlight recently as investment-banking activity continues to be slow. AdvertisementWith an anticipated decline in trading volumes across Wall Street, Goldman's sales and trading business will continue to lean on technology to win market share among institutional investors. During her first stint at Goldman, she managed various tech teams and was named managing director in 2008.

Persons: Melissa Goldman, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, she's, couldn't, You've, I'm, I've Organizations: Service, Goldman, Google, JPMorgan, Wall, Big, Bank of America Locations: Wall, Bermuda, Big Tech

☆ Meet the ex-Googler joining Goldman Sachs to build tech and cut costs for its investment banking and trading business
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Bianca Chan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

☆ Commercial property has been in a slump. How lower interest rates could lift it out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Daniel Geiger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewUma Moriarity, a senior investment strategist at a real estate investment firm based outside of Philadelphia, is feeling better about deal-making in commercial real estate. A reduction in the Fed's benchmark rate would bring relief to the $22.5 trillion US commercial real estate market, which was shaken by a series of interest rate increases beginning in March 2022. AdvertisementThe increases diminished commercial property values, raised mortgage defaults, and triggered the sector's worst downturn since the financial crisis more than 15 years ago. "We're looking at a very good 2025 and beyond," Mark Rose, the CEO of the real estate services firm Avison Young, said. "Commercial property prices have increased over the past few months as bond yields have declined," Peter Rothemund, the co-head of strategic research at Green Street, said in the firm's recent property pricing report.

Persons: —, Uma Moriarity, Moriarty, Mark Rose, Avison Young, Richard Barkham, We've, Fitch, CMBS, Peter Rothemund, Alan Todd, Todd, CLO Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Business, CenterSquare Investment Management, Green, Mortgage, Association, Bank of America, Bank of America Securities Locations: Philadelphia, Trepp

☆ New home sales saw the biggest burst of activity in August since 2022, MBA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The housing market saw a burst of activity in August. New home sales rose around 15% last month, the biggest jump since 2022. Buyers are coming back to the market as mortgage rates ease. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! AdvertisementThe housing market is seeing a fresh burst of activity as mortgage rates edge lower.

Persons: Buyers, — Organizations: Service, Mortgage, Association, Business

☆ Lawmakers are 'demeaning their role' by trying to influence the Fed, House finance chair says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., sharply criticized other politicians on Tuesday for making public comments about what the Federal Reserve should do with its interest rate policy. McHenry, the outgoing chair of the House Financial Services Committee, said it was an '"outrage" that some politicians are publicly lobbying the central bank about rate cuts. "Senators that are trying to direct the Fed on rate policy are really demeaning their role. McHenry's comments came one day before the U.S. central bank is widely expected to start cutting interest rates for the first time since 2020. Coming in the middle of a presidential election cycle, the change in Fed policy has stirred speculation as to whether the central bank would be influenced by political considerations.

Persons: Patrick McHenry, Kevin McCarthy, McHenry, …, Jerome Powell, Joe Biden, Democratic Sens, Elizabeth Warren of, John Hickenlooper of, Sheldon Whitehouse, Warren, Whitehouse, Trump, Sen, Mike Lee, Trump's Organizations: Rep, U.S, Capitol, Federal, Financial Services, Senators, United, Trump, Democratic, Fed, Republicans, Georgetown University's Psaros, Financial Markets Locations: R, Washington, United States, U.S, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Rhode, Utah

☆ Best dividend stocks to buy as rate cuts make their yields more attractive
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Pia Singh | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Federal Reserve is set to cut interest rates Wednesday for the first time in four years, which should make the yields for dividend stocks even more attractive, lifting the group. Using the CNBC Pro Stock Screener tool, we searched for stocks with a dividend yield above 3% and a low debt-to-equity ratio under 60%. Click here to view the results on CNBC Pro's Stock Screener tool and to make your own screener. Coterra Energy and ConocoPhillips are other energy names with strong dividends and attractive returns, according to the CNBC Pro screener. Other strong dividend stocks from the screen include Truist Financial and phosphate and potash mining company Mosaic .

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Devin McDermott, McDermott, Bank of America Wamsi Mohan, Mohan Organizations: Federal, Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips —, CNBC, Stock, CNBC Pro's, Energy, Exxon, Chevron, Devon Energy, Coterra Energy, ConocoPhillips, CNBC Pro, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Bank of America

☆ Jim Cramer: 'Don't freak out' about Fed rate-cut size, focus on stocks that benefit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer said Monday that investors shouldn't panic over the size of the Federal Reserve's expected interest rate cut this week. Instead, they should focus on the stocks that will benefit from the easing monetary policy. He stressed, "What matters is we're in a rate cut cycle. In a rate cut cycle, you buy a lot of stocks that … should really start accelerating because they've been hurt." When central bankers announce their next policy move, Cramer said that there will likely be some market volatility regardless of the size of the reduction.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Cramer, Stanley Blacker, Decker, Stanley Black Organizations: Stanley, Trust, CNBC Locations: U.S, Cramer's

☆ Get ready for stocks to embark on a weekslong rally after the Fed cuts rates, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Stocks are set to climb higher for at least the next few weeks, according to Fundstrat's Tom Lee. Lee pointed to the Fed's policy meeting, with markets expecting a rate cut on Wednesday. A Fed rate cut will be bullish for stocks, regardless of its size, he told CNBC. AdvertisementWall Street has been anticipating rate cuts for months, especially as the economy has shown some weakness stemming from tighter financial conditions. However, stocks should move higher regardless of the size of the rate cut, Lee said, so long as central bankers assure markets that more cuts are coming.

Persons: Tom Lee, Lee, —, Powell Organizations: CNBC, Service, Bureau of Labor, New York Fed

☆ The race in Big Tech to sell customers on AI products is heating up
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Meanwhile, in today's newsletter, we're looking at how AWS is ramping up its sales team to pitch customers on AI . The big storySell, sell, sellAmazon; Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BIWhen it comes to the AI revolution, building is only half the battle. AdvertisementAfter drawing scrutiny from investors about their massive investments in generative AI, tech companies are prioritizing getting returns on their big bets. Amazon; OpenAI; Microsoft; Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BIAWS' pressure to ramp up AI sales isn't just focused on ROI. And while these companies can't afford not to pitch their customers on AI tech, they also risk turning them off to the idea by selling them products that might not live up to expectations.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, Alyssa Powell, Insider's Eugene Kim, Eugene, Chelsea Jia Feng, it's, Anna Kim, Getty, Tyler Le, Martha Stewart, Al Capone, Morgan Stanley, Dre, Jeff Chiu, Larry Page's, Wayne Osborne, Elon, Grimes, Ryan Mac, Kate Conger unearths, Musk, Department's, We've, Kamala Harris, Biden, Booker, Dan DeFrancesco, Hallam Bullock, Milan Sehmbi, Amanda Yen Organizations: Service, FBI, Business, Amazon Web Services, that's, AWS, Microsoft, Getty, Google, Sunshine, Twitter, Huber & Starke, Hollywood, Teamsters Locations: West Palm Beach , Florida, today's, Florida, hustles, New York, London

☆ Top Morgan Stanley bankers break down 3 common mistakes startup hedge funds make
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Alex Morrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewIt's shaping up to be a bustling period for new hedge funds. Startup funds have allies in investment bank prime brokerage units, a crucial lifeline to hedge funds and a growing business on Wall Street. AdvertisementMorgan Stanley has long been home to one of the top prime brokerages, and serving hedge funds is key to the bank's equities ambitions. These are 3 of the top stumbling blocks for startup fund managers and how to handle them, according to Novick and Shaw. AdvertisementBut beyond that, continuing to engage with prospects is simply a sound business strategy.

Persons: —, Jon Caplis, Morgan Stanley, Ted Pick, Penny Novick, Kim Shaw, Shaw, Morgan Stanley's, Novick, they're, allocators, Hone, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, Viking

☆ Aussie stocks open higher as investors digest China economic data, await Fed rate verdict
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asian markets were set to open mixed Monday as investors digested the downbeat economic data from China released over the weekend, while several key markets were closed for holidays. Investors also await the Federal Reserve's policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday where the central bankers are expected to make their first interest rate cut since 2020. China released a slew of worrying economic data, with August factory output, retail sales and investment numbers missing expectations. Urban jobless rate rose to a six-month high while year-on-year home prices fell at the fastest pace in nine years. Reaction to China's disappointing economic data will be likely seen in the Hong Kong market.

Locations: China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong

☆ Welcome to interest-rate cut week: Here's how the Fed's next move will impact everything from home prices to new cars loans
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Madison Hoff | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

According to CME FedWatch, which estimates interest rate changes based on market predictions, the size of the rate cut is a coin toss. As of Friday afternoon, there's a 51% chance the Federal Reserve will cut rates by 25 basis points and a 49% chance it'll be an extra-large 50-basis-point cut. That's because a larger rate cut makes borrowing cheaper, which tends to drive up spending and fuel price increases. Rate cuts will also eventually make it cheaper for small businesses to take out loans. A rate cut could cause a rush of buyers to enter the market in the short term, driving up prices and competition.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Michael Madowitz, she's, McTier, it'll, Mark Hamrick, Banks, Hamrick, NerdWallet, Sara Rathner Organizations: Service, Federal, CME FedWatch, Federal Reserve, Business, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Fed, Consumer Financial, Bureau, asheffey Locations: Jackson Hole , Wyoming, McTier

☆ The Fed keeps brushing off concerns about another Trump presidency. Its closed-door meetings show otherwise
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Federal Reserve officials won’t say how former President Donald Trump winning a second term could impact the economy. But transcripts of closed-door Fed meetings from Trump’s first term give some clues about top economists’ true feelings about Trump’s economic agenda. “We don’t want to be involved … in politics in any way,” Powell said after July’s monetary policy meeting. The transcripts of past meetings that are publicly available, the most recent being from the December 2018 monetary policy meeting, suggest that some Fed officials had legitimate concerns about Trump’s trade policy and its impact on the economy. ‘Ill-conceived US government policies’At later meetings, as the Trump administration began to set the stage for a potential trade war with China, Fed officials started to sound more concerned.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Jerome Powell, Powell, ” Powell, Sen, Jack Reed, …, it’s, Loretta Mester, ” Mester, ”, James Bullard, Bob Dylan, ” Bullard, Bullard, Mitch Daniels, ‘, ’, “, ” William Dudley, ” Dudley Organizations: New, New York CNN — Federal, Democrat, Trump, CNN, Cleveland Fed, Fed, Federal, Market, Louis Federal Reserve, Chicago Cubs, Mitch Daniels School of Business, Washington, Lee University Locations: New York, Rhode Island, ”, China, United States, Dudley

☆ Insider Today: The unstoppable Sam Altman
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

If you're sick of me running the Sunday edition for Matt Turner, I have good news: He's back next week. On the agenda today:This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementThe first in-person meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump had plenty of fireworks . (JD Vance, Trump's running mate, isn't worried .) AdvertisementBusiness Insider spoke to some middle managers who said the stress was enough for them to consider asking for a demotion.

Persons: —, Matt Turner, He's, Julia Beverly, Getty, Anna Moneymaker, Tyler Le, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, — Elon Musk —, Trump, Hillary Clinton, David Muir, Linsey Davis, Taylor Swift, JD Vance, Trump's, isn't, Chelsea Jia Feng, They've, they're, Kiersten, Samantha Lee, aren't, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, Altman's, Sam Altman, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Cash Organizations: Service, Business, Harris, Trump, ABC, American, Getty, BI, Green Beret, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Getty Images, Apple, Navy

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowWhat Are Today's Mortgage Refinance Rates? Current 30-Year Mortgage RatesAverage 30-year mortgage rates remain low after dropping last week and are hovering around 5.70%, according to Zillow data. Last month, 30-year refinance rates averaged 6.59%, while 15-year refinance rates were around 5.90%. Now, 30-year refinance rates are nearly 70 basis points lower, and 15-year refinance rates are around 50 basis points lower. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile.

Persons: they've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Zillow, Fed, Mortgage, Association, ARM, . Government Locations: Chevron, Government

As the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, mortgage rates are likely to go down. Mortgage rates often trend up or down ahead of expected Fed moves, but once a hike or cut is priced in, they tend to hold steady unless the Fed surprises everyone. Haymore also notes that mortgage rates could fluctuate depending on other information that comes out of this upcoming meeting. As it does, mortgage rates should trend down, too (as will the rates banks pay on high-yield savings accounts). If you got your mortgage more recently, you could save on your mortgage payment by refinancing.

Persons: —, Freddie Mac, Scott Haymore, Haymore, you've, Matt Baker, Baker Organizations: Service, Business, Fed, TD Bank, Mortgage Bankers Association, Navy Federal Credit Union

☆ Stock futures are little changed as investors await major Fed decision: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A specials trader works at his post on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 11, 2024. Stock futures edged slightly lower Sunday night as investors await the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated policy meeting, during which central bankers are expected to cut rates for the first time since 2020. S&P 500 futures hovered below the flatline, while futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 4 points, or less than 0.1%. The S&P 500 is less than 1% away from its July record and could notch a new all-time high this week. Central bankers are set to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday and are widely anticipated to make their first interest rate cut since they began hiking rates in March 2022.

Persons: Brian Belski, Mills, Olive Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Federal, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, BMO Capital, Darden, FedEx, homebuilder Locations: New York City, U.S, Olive Garden

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