A central bank divided against itself cannot stand.Although it's been a year filled with twists and turns, Wall Street's major stock indexes have continued their trek higher. The ageless Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.51%), broad-based S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.07%), and growth stock-dominated Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 1.69%) have rallied 13%, 17%, and 22% on a year-to-date basis, as of the closing bell on Dec. 10.Hot trends have been a significant theme, once again, in propelling this bull market to new heights ...

December 11, 2025 01:28 AM GMT Federal Reserve Monitor | North America December FOMC Reaction: Well Positioned to Wait and See How the Economy Evolves The Fed reduced the funds rate by 25bp but signaled that future adjustments will be more data dependent, as we expected. We continue to expect further cuts in January and April, but if the labor market stabilizes, then future cuts may not come until inflation decelerates. Key expectations | M December 11, 2025 01:28 AM GMT December FOMC Reaction: | Chief US E ...

The committee judged that reserve balances have declined to ample levels. Accordingly, at today's meeting, the committee decided to initiate purchases of shorter term Treasury securities, mainly Treasury bills, for the sole purpose of maintaining an ample supply of reserves over time. Such increases in our securities holdings ensure that the federal funds rate remains within its target range and are necessary because the growth of the economy leads to rising demand over time for our liabilities, including c ...

Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you're looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Find out which banks have the best MMA rat ...

Mortgage rates have risen since last week. According to Zillow data, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is up 13 basis points to 6.10%, and the 15-year fixed rate has increased by 14 basis points to 5.55%. The Federal Reserve will announce whether it is cutting the federal funds rate for a third time this year on Wednesday. Many experts predict that the central bank will lower its rate again — but based on how mortgage rates have reacted to previous rate cuts, that doesn't necessarily mean home loan rates wi ...

Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you're looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Find out which banks have the best MMA rat ...

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with some institutions offering rates of 4% APY and above, particularly online banks [2][5] - The highest CD rate as of November 27, 2025, is 4.1% APY, available from Marcus by Goldman Sachs and Sallie Mae [2] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, which has led to a decline in CD rates since last year [2][4] CD Rate Trends - CD rates have been on a downward trend since the Federal Reserve began reducing the federal funds rate in late 2024, cutting it by a total of one percentage point [3] - The Fed's recent rate cuts in October 2025 may lead to further reductions in CD rates, although the timing and extent of future cuts remain uncertain [4] Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD account includes researching competitive rates, choosing an account that meets financial needs, preparing necessary documents, completing the application, and funding the account [6] - It is important to consider the CD's term length and minimum deposit requirements to avoid early withdrawal penalties [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of money market account (MMA) rates, highlighting the impact of recent Federal Reserve rate cuts on these rates [1][5][4] Group 1: Current MMA Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is 0.59%, while top rates can exceed 4% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [2][8] - TotalBank currently offers the highest MMA rate at 4.26%, which is over seven times the national average [8] Group 2: Federal Reserve Influence - Deposit account rates, including money market rates, are closely tied to the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve [3] - The Fed maintained a target range of 5.25%–5.50% from July 2023 to September 2024, but subsequently cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points in September 2024, followed by two additional cuts of 25 basis points each in November and December [4] Group 3: Future Rate Expectations - Rates are expected to continue declining following the Fed's recent cuts, suggesting that savers may have limited time to benefit from higher rates [5][6] Group 4: Considerations for Savers - Money market accounts provide easy access to funds and are suitable for those with short-term savings goals or emergency funds, offering better returns than traditional savings accounts [7] - For conservative savers, money market accounts are appealing due to FDIC insurance, while riskier investments may be necessary for long-term savings goals [7]

Core Insights - HELOC interest rates are at their lowest in 2025, with potential for further decreases in December as the Federal Reserve is likely to lower the federal funds rate [1][2] - The average HELOC rate is currently 7.64%, down over 40 basis points since the start of the year, with homeowners holding more than $34 trillion in home equity [3] - Homeowners are less likely to sell their homes due to low primary mortgage rates, making HELOCs an attractive option to access home equity [4] HELOC Rates and Market Dynamics - The prime rate, which influences HELOC rates, is currently at 7.00%, and lenders have flexibility in pricing, making it essential for consumers to shop around for the best rates [5][6] - Introductory rates for HELOCs can be significantly lower, but they typically adjust to higher rates after an initial period [6][9] - Current offers include a 5.99% APR for 12 months on HELOCs up to $500,000, highlighting the importance of comparing rates and terms [9] Usage and Benefits of HELOCs - HELOCs allow homeowners to access equity without refinancing their low-rate primary mortgages, providing flexibility in borrowing and repayment [7][10] - The ability to borrow only what is needed and pay interest only on that amount is a key advantage of HELOCs [10] - Homeowners can utilize HELOC funds for various purposes, including home improvements and personal expenses, while maintaining their favorable mortgage rates [12] Financial Considerations - Monthly payments on a $50,000 HELOC at a 7.50% interest rate would be approximately $313 during the draw period, but rates are variable and can increase over time [13] - The structure of HELOCs typically involves a 10-year draw period followed by a 20-year repayment period, making them suitable for short-term borrowing needs [13]

Core Viewpoint - The commentary from John Williams, a key Federal Reserve member, indicates potential for further adjustments in monetary policy, leading to a notable shift in market sentiment and expectations for a December rate cut [1][2][3]. Market Reaction - Following Williams' remarks, there has been a decrease in yields, particularly on the short end of the yield curve, and expectations for a December rate cut have risen to approximately 60% from the previous day [2]. - The market's reaction reflects a growing uncertainty among Federal Reserve members regarding the direction of the federal funds rate, as evidenced by the varied positions in the recent dots plot [3][4]. Federal Reserve Insights - Despite the increased speculation about a December rate cut, the expectation remains that the Federal Reserve will proceed with rate cuts at a slow and methodical pace, with no immediate cut anticipated [4]. - Some Federal Reserve officials continue to express concerns about high prices, while others highlight potential softness in the labor market, indicating a mixed outlook [5][6]. Economic Indicators - The recent jobs report showed an upside surprise in the headline number for non-farm payrolls (NFP), but revisions presented a mixed picture, contributing to market confusion [9]. - Upcoming Producer Price Index (PPI) data is expected to provide insights into inflation trends, which remain a critical focus for the Federal Reserve [10][11]. - Weekly unemployment claims are also anticipated to serve as real-time indicators of labor market conditions, offering a clearer picture of economic health [12].