Hiring likely remained subdued last month as many companies have sought to avoid expanding their workforces, though the job gains may be enough to bring down the unemployment rate. December's jobs report, to be released Friday, is likely to show that employers added a modest 55,000 jobs, economists forecast. That figure would be below November's 64,000 but an improvement after the economy lost jobs in October. The unemployment rate is expected to slip to 4.5%, according to data provider FactSet, from a four ...

The S&P 500 rose on Friday as investors reacted to the latest U.S. jobs report and awaited a pivotal Supreme Court decision on President Trump’s tariff powers. The benchmark index climbed about 0.3%, while the The December jobs report revealed modest but steady payroll growth. Nonfarm payrolls increased by roughly 50,000, slightly below economists’ expectations but still indicating ongoing economic activity. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate inched down to 4.4%, better than forecasted. Investors saw this a ...

Today’s CD rates still hover well above the national average. The Federal Reserve reduced its target interest rate three times in 2024 and three times in 2025. This has a ripple effect on deposit account rates, which means now could be your last chance to lock in today's high rates with a certificate of deposit (CD). Here’s a look at today’s best CD rates and where you can find the best offers. Best CD rates today As of January 5, 2026, the highest CD rate is 4.1% APY. This rate is offered by LendingClub ...

Core Insights - Money market accounts (MMAs) are highlighted as a favorable option for storing cash due to their relatively high interest rates and liquidity [1] - MMAs typically offer better returns than traditional savings accounts and may include check-writing privileges and debit card access, making them suitable for long-term savings with easy access [2] Interest Rates Overview - Despite a general decline in rates over recent months, some MMAs still offer rates exceeding 4% APY [3] - Historical fluctuations in MMA rates are largely attributed to changes in the Federal Reserve's target interest rate [4] - Following the 2008 financial crisis, MMA rates were low, averaging between 0.10% to 0.50% due to the Fed's near-zero federal funds rate [5] - The COVID-19 pandemic prompted another drop in MMA rates as the Fed cut rates to combat economic fallout [6] - Starting in 2022, aggressive interest rate hikes by the Fed led to historically high deposit rates, with many MMAs offering rates of 4% or higher by late 2023 [7] - As of 2025, MMA rates remain elevated compared to historical standards but are on a downward trend following recent Fed rate cuts [8] Considerations for Choosing MMAs - When selecting a money market account, factors beyond interest rates, such as minimum balance requirements, fees, and withdrawal limits, should be considered [9] - Some MMAs may require a minimum balance of $5,000 or more to earn the highest advertised rates, and monthly maintenance fees can reduce interest earnings [10] - There are competitive MMAs available without balance requirements or fees, emphasizing the importance of comparing options [10] - It is crucial to ensure that the chosen account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA, which protects deposits up to $250,000 per institution, per depositor [11] Current Market Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is currently 0.58%, while the best rates are around 4% to 4.50% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [12] - For example, depositing $50,000 in an MMA with a 4.5% APY would yield approximately $2,303 in interest over one year [13] - Currently, no MMAs offer a 5% APY, but some high-yield savings accounts from online banks do [14]

Mortgage Rate Trends - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage increased to 6.22% from 6.19% last week, compared to 6.6% a year ago [1] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 5.54% from 5.44% last week, down from 5.84% a year ago [2] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy, bond market expectations for the economy and inflation, and generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which is currently at 4.12% [3] - The Federal Reserve recently cut its main interest rate for the third time this year, indicating another potential cut in 2026, but this does not directly dictate mortgage rates [4] Historical Context - Following the Fed's previous rate cuts, mortgage rates increased instead of decreasing, peaking above 7% in January, while the 10-year Treasury yield was approaching 5% [5] - A decline in mortgage rates over the summer led to an increase in sales of previously occupied U.S. homes for four consecutive months in October [6] Market Challenges - Affordability remains a significant challenge for many potential homeowners, particularly first-time buyers lacking equity from existing homes [6] - Economic and job market uncertainties are causing many prospective buyers to hesitate in making purchases [6]

Market Overview - Asian shares exhibited mixed performance, with Japan's Nikkei 225 declining by 1.2% to 50,408.70, influenced by a 3.0% year-on-year drop in household spending for October, marking the sharpest decline since January 2024 [2][4] - The S&P 500 inched up by 0.1% to 6,857.12, remaining just 0.5% below its all-time high, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.1% to 47,850.94 [6][7] - South Korea's Kospi index rose by 1.1% to 4,074.00, with notable gains from LG Electronics (up 5.6%) and Hyundai Motors (up 7.2%) [4] Economic Indicators - U.S. futures were higher, while oil prices fell, with U.S. benchmark crude decreasing by 17 cents to $59.50 per barrel and Brent crude slipping by 11 cents to $63.15 per barrel [5][9] - The Reserve Bank of India cut its repo rate to 5.25% from 5.5%, citing weak price pressures and expectations for slowing economic growth [5] Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - Traders are cautious ahead of a key U.S. inflation report that could influence Federal Reserve policy, with expectations for a potential interest rate cut next week [3][7] - Recent reports indicated a stronger job market than expected, with fewer workers filing for unemployment, the lowest in over three years, and layoffs announced last month falling by more than half from October's surge [8][9]

Mortgage Rate Trends - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage decreased to 6.19% from 6.23% last week, marking the lowest level since October 30, when it was 6.17% [1] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also fell to 5.44% from 5.51% last week, down from 5.96% a year ago [2] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, bond market expectations for the economy and inflation, and generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which was at 4.1% [3] - The decline in mortgage rates enhances homebuyers' purchasing power [3] Market Impact - Easing mortgage rates contributed to an increase in sales of previously occupied U.S. homes in October for the fourth consecutive month, although affordability remains a challenge for many potential buyers [4] - Economic growth appears solid, but sluggish hiring and a rising unemployment rate are causing uncertainty among potential homebuyers [4] Federal Reserve Actions - Mortgage rates began to decline following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its main interest rate in September, with another cut in October expected [5] - The central bank does not directly set mortgage rates, and cuts in short-term rates do not guarantee a decline in home loan rates [6]

Core Insights - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has decreased to 6.23% from 6.26% last week, marking a decline from 6.81% a year ago, ending a three-week streak of increases [1] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also fell to 5.51% from 5.54% last week, down from 6.10% a year ago [2] - The decline in mortgage rates is influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and the bond market, particularly the 10-year Treasury yield, which is currently at 4.01% [3] Market Trends - Easing mortgage rates have contributed to a rise in sales of previously occupied U.S. homes for the fourth consecutive month on an annual basis, although affordability remains a significant challenge for many potential buyers [4] - Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes have remained around a 4-million annual pace in 2023, compared to a historical average of approximately 5.2 million [5] Federal Reserve Influence - Mortgage rates began to decline this summer following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its main interest rate in September, with another cut occurring last month amid signs of a slowing labor market [6] - Speculation is growing that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates again in December, with Wall Street traders estimating an 83% probability of a cut, although this may not lead to a significant drop in mortgage rates [7]

Mortgage Rates Overview - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage increased to 6.26% from 6.24% last week, compared to 6.84% a year ago, marking the third consecutive week of rising rates [1][2] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also rose to 5.54% from 5.49% last week, down from 6.02% a year ago [2] Impact on Housing Market - Rising mortgage rates have reduced homebuyers' purchasing power, with the 30-year mortgage rate remaining above 6% since September 2022, which has contributed to stagnant sales of previously occupied U.S. homes at around a 4-million annual pace [2][3] - Despite sluggish sales, there was a boost in activity this fall as mortgage rates eased, with sales accelerating to their fastest pace since February [3] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and bond market expectations regarding the economy and inflation, typically following the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield [4] - The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.10%, slightly down from the previous week but up from around 3.95% on October 22 [4] Federal Reserve Actions - Mortgage rates began to decline this summer following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its main interest rate in September amid signs of a slowing labor market [5] - The Fed lowered its key interest rate again last month, although further cuts are not guaranteed according to Fed Chair Jerome Powell [5] Market Expectations - Wall Street traders have reduced expectations for a Fed rate cut at the next meeting in December to approximately 44%, down from nearly 70% a couple of weeks ago [6] - The central bank does not directly set mortgage rates, and cuts in short-term rates do not necessarily lead to declines in home loan rates [6]

Core Insights - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has increased to 6.24%, up from 6.22% last week, but remains lower than the 6.78% average from a year ago [1] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages has decreased to 5.49%, down from 5.5% last week, compared to 5.99% a year ago [2] Mortgage Rate Influences - Mortgage rates are affected by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, bond market expectations, and the 10-year Treasury yield, which is currently at 4.10% [3] - The average 30-year mortgage rate has been above 6% since September 2022, contributing to a slump in the housing market [4] Market Activity - Home sales have been sluggish but saw an acceleration in September, attributed to easing mortgage rates [4] - Applications for home purchase loans increased nearly 6% last week, marking the strongest pace since September, despite rising mortgage rates [6] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate in September and again last month, but further cuts are not guaranteed [7] - Wall Street traders have reduced expectations for a rate cut at the next Fed meeting in December, now estimating a 53% chance, down from nearly 70% [8] Affordability Challenges - Despite a pullback in mortgage rates, affordability remains a significant issue for potential homeowners due to rising home prices [10]