Interest Rates
Mortgage rates drop to the lowest level in over a year, pushing refinancing 111% higher annually
A ‘For Sale’ sign is posted beside property for sale in Alhambra, California. Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images Mortgage interest rates dropped for the fourth straight week last week, spurring both current homeowners and potential homebuyers to call their lenders. Total mortgage application volume increased 7.1% compared with the previous week, according […]
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The Fed’s balance sheet takes center stage as liquidity concerns rise
The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates when it meets on Wednesday with little to no room for a surprise. Any remaining excitement is centered on what the central bank will signal regarding its balance sheet and the path forward. Short-term interest rates have been particularly volatile in recent weeks, with […]
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The Fed has a rate cut plus a bunch of other things on its plate this week. Here’s what to expect
Key Points Markets are assigning a nearly 100% probability that the Federal Open Market Committee will approve a second consecutive quarter percentage point at its meeting this week. Beyond that, policymakers are likely to debate the future path of reductions, the challenges posed by a lack of economic data and the timetable for ending the […]
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Bessent lists five finalists for Fed chair job, and Trump says decision coming before the end of the year
Key Points Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the list of candidates to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has been winnowed down to five. President Donald Trump told reporters that he anticipates naming a replacement by the end of the year. Powell’s term doesn’t expire until May. Source
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‘VOO and chill:’ Why this popular investment strategy may be losing its appeal — even with stocks at all-time highs
Passive investing through exchange-traded funds may be losing its appeal. Tidal Financial Group Chief Revenue Officer Gavin Filmore finds many of his clients are no longer satisfied with buying popular ETFs tied to market indexes. “I think investors are looking beyond just the let’s call it the ‘VOO and chill approach’ where you just buy […]
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Bank of Korea holds rate at 2.5% as tighter property rules kick in
Bank of Korea warned there’s a chance of increased volatility following more rate hikes from the Fed, following U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s speech in Jackson Hole. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images South Korea’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5% Thursday, extending a […]
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Asia-Pacific markets fall, tracking Wall Street declines on concerns over U.S.-China trade relations
Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s declines on concerns about U.S.-China trade relations. Trade fears resurfaced after Reuters reported Wednesday stateside that the Trump administration is considering curbs on exports to China that are made with U.S. software, citing a U.S. official and three people briefed by U.S. authorities. The sources said that the plan, […]
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Japan’s Nikkei 225 hits new record with Takaichi all set to become prime minister
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Pedestrians and shoppers walk through the Akihabara area on July 27, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan’s core consumer price index climbed by 3.3% in June, outpacing the US figure for the first time in eight years as the Bank of Japan holds its monetary policy meeting on July 27 and […]
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This ETF strategy could help risk-averse investors ride out wild market swings
The CBOE Volatility Index, otherwise known as the Wall Street’s fear gauge, is coming off its most volatile week since April. For investors hesitant to ride out the recent wild swings, Invesco senior portfolio manager John Burrello sees income funds that employ options-based strategies as a sound game plan. His reasoning: They have more structural […]
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Fed Governor Miran wants a half-point cut this month, while Waller backs another quarter-point move
Key Points Fed Governor Stephen Miran said Thursday he plans to repeat his push for a half-percentage-point interest rate cut when the central bank meets later this month. Governor Christopher Waller advocated a quarter-percentage-point reduction at the meeting later this month, a position that appears more in line with the Fed consensus. Earlier this week, […]
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