Interest rates

Surging rate-and-terms push lock volumes upward

A jump in refinance activity lifted mortgage lock volumes last month, but purchase numbers may hold more promise for lenders. Total lock volume in June came in 2.11% higher month over month, according to the latest data from Mortgage Capital Trading. Rate-and-term refinance activity provided much of the momentum with a leap of 9.89%, as […]

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Treasuries extend drop as pressures build on longer-dated debt

Treasuries extend drop as pressures build on longer-dated debt

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Treasuries slipped across the curve Tuesday, pushing yields two to four basis points higher and the 30 year approaching 5% for the first time since May.  Yields have been rising as investors pare bets on the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts following a jobs report that revealed a surprisingly resilient US labor market. Interest-rate

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NY Fed report: Return to zero rates a ‘significant’ risk

NY Fed report: Return to zero rates a ‘significant’ risk

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York building.Bloomberg News The Federal Reserve’s policy rate is a long way from its lowest point, but markets remain concerned about a return to zero interest rates, according to findings from the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and San Francisco. In an economic letter released Monday, reserve bank

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Bond traders scrap bets on July rate cut after strong jobs data

Bond traders scrap bets on July rate cut after strong jobs data

A worker operates a forklift at a fulfillment center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.Eilon Paz/Bloomberg Shorter-term Treasuries, which are most sensitive to expectations for Fed policy, led the slump. Two-year yields rose almost 10 basis points, while 10-year rates jumped 6 basis points to 4.34%. The dollar advanced versus its major counterparts. “The Fed will take

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‘Feelings-based recession’: More Americans fearful of finances

A rising tide of financial pessimism is washing over U.S. consumers, driven by concerns about inflation, global instability and a lack of economic clarity. At the same time, a solid majority of Americans remain optimistic about their financial future, according to TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Study for the second quarter of 2025. The result is a

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Inflation is almost at 2%. Will that prompt a Fed rate cut?

The good news is the preferred measure of inflation for the Federal Reserve keeps trending downward. The bad news is that the economic backdrop that could lead to lower rates keeps getting more complicated. According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index for April rose

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Trump to Powell: It’s a ‘mistake’ to not lower interest rates

President Donald Trump met Thursday with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the White House to discuss economic developments, as Trump continues to press the Fed to lower interest rates. During the meeting, Trump told Powell he’s making “a mistake” by not lowering interest rates, the White House said Thursday. The meeting was at Trump’s

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Waller: Fed not looking to buy bonds amid sell-off

Waller: Fed not looking to buy bonds amid sell-off

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller.Bloomberg News Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said the central bank is not looking to intervene in the Treasury market despite a recent dampening in demand for U.S. debt. Long-term bond yields are surging for the second time in as many months, with rates on the 10-year notes climbing two basis

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