Core Insights - Money market accounts (MMAs) are highlighted as a favorable option for storing cash due to their relatively high interest rates, liquidity, and flexibility [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, are crucial for assessing overall value [9] - Many MMAs require a significant minimum balance, often $5,000 or more, to qualify for the highest advertised rates, and some may impose monthly maintenance fees [10] - There are competitive MMAs available without balance requirements or fees, emphasizing the importance of comparing options before making a decision [10] - It is essential 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 0.59%, while the best rates can reach 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, and local banks or credit unions may also have competitive offerings [14]

Core Viewpoint - The President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Susan Collins, is currently not in favor of cutting the U.S. central bank's interest rate target in the upcoming month due to persistent risks related to inflation and employment mandates [1] Group 1 - Susan Collins emphasizes the ongoing risks to inflation that the Federal Reserve is facing [1] - The job mandates are also a significant concern for the Federal Reserve, influencing the decision on interest rates [1]

Core Insights - The national average HELOC rate is currently 7.64%, having decreased over the year, with introductory rates often being lower than market rates [1][2] - Homeowners have approximately $36 trillion in home equity, the highest on record, making HELOCs an attractive option for accessing funds without selling homes [3] - Lenders determine HELOC rates based on an index rate plus a margin, with the prime rate recently at 7.00% [4] HELOC Rates and Trends - The average weekly HELOC rate is 7.64%, down nearly half a point since January 2025 [2] - Rates can vary significantly among lenders, ranging from nearly 6% to as high as 18%, depending on creditworthiness [11] - Introductory rates, such as 5.99% for 12 months from FourLeaf Credit Union, can convert to variable rates later [8] Home Equity Utilization - Homeowners are encouraged to utilize HELOCs to access equity while retaining low-rate primary mortgages, as selling homes may not be feasible [3][6] - HELOCs allow homeowners to borrow as needed, paying interest only on the amount drawn, which provides flexibility [9] Lender Considerations - Lenders have flexibility in pricing HELOCs, making it essential for borrowers to shop around for the best rates and terms [5] - Factors influencing HELOC rates include credit score, existing debt, and the ratio of credit line to home value [5] Payment Structure - A $50,000 HELOC at a 7.50% interest rate would result in a monthly payment of about $313 during the draw period, but rates are typically variable [13] - HELOCs are structured as 30-year loans, with a draw period followed by a repayment period, making them best suited for short-term borrowing [13]

Rick Santelli with the Bond Report. Rick, it appears that uh John Williams may have saved Christmas. >> Well, I'm not sure about that.It certainly seems to me like there's a lot of other moving parts here, but it definitely moved the probabilities on the ease and the probabilities have gone from basically 30% up into the close to 70 and it's backed off but right under 70%. But I think the real story is h how the interest rate complex is shadow boxing uh the equity side and mostly when it goes higher. Now if ...

data. The delayed September jobs report is now out. The US economy added 119,000 jobs during the month.That was a lot more than expected. The unemployment rate came in at 4.4%. NBC News business and data correspondent Brian Chung joins us from the big board to talk more about these numbers.Brian, so this is the first jobs report reason it was delayed because of that government shutdown since it ended. The last one we got was for August numbers and that was of course back in early September like normal. walk ...

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 has experienced a decline of over 2% in November due to economic concerns and high valuations, particularly in the AI sector, with the technology sector retreating more than 5% month to date [2][3] Economic Concerns - Investors are increasingly worried that persistent inflation will lead the Federal Reserve to maintain interest rates at the upcoming December meeting, with the probability of a rate cut dropping from 100% to 43% [3] Technical Indicators - On November 17, the S&P 500 fell below its 50-day moving average for the first time since April, a significant technical indicator that has historically been followed by positive performance [4][6] Historical Performance - Historically, when the S&P 500 has dropped below its 50-day moving average, it has performed well, with a median return of 15% over the next year and an 81% chance of increasing over the next six months [9][10] Future Projections - If the S&P 500 follows historical trends, it could rise to 7,710, representing a 15% increase over the next year, which is above the average annual return of 12.5% over the past decade [8][9]

Core Insights - Money market accounts (MMAs) offer higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts, along with liquidity and flexibility, making them suitable for long-term savings that may be accessed for purchases or bills [1] - The national average interest rate for MMAs is currently 0.59%, but top accounts can offer rates above 4% APY, similar to high-yield savings accounts [3][13] - Historical fluctuations in MMA rates are largely influenced by changes in the Federal Reserve's target interest rate, with significant drops following the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic [4][5][6] Interest Rate Trends - Following the 2008 financial crisis, MMA rates fell to between 0.10% and 0.50% due to the Fed's near-zero federal funds rate [5] - In 2022, the Fed began aggressive interest rate hikes to combat inflation, resulting in historically high MMA rates, with many accounts offering 4.00% or higher by late 2023 [7] - As of late 2024, MMA rates remain elevated but have started to decline following recent Fed rate cuts [8] Choosing a Money Market Account - When selecting an MMA, factors beyond interest rates should be considered, such as minimum balance requirements, fees, and withdrawal limits, which can affect overall value [9][10] - Some MMAs may require a high minimum balance (up to $5,000) to earn the highest rates, while others may charge monthly maintenance fees [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 [11] Earnings Potential - The earnings from a $10,000 deposit in an MMA depend on the APY; for example, at a 4% APY with monthly compounding, the total balance after one year would be $10,407.44 [14]

Find out which banks are offering the top rates. 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 ...

Core Insights - The national average HELOC rate is currently 7.64%, reflecting a decrease of nine basis points since early October [1] - Home equity line of credit interest rates are declining, with introductory rates offered by lenders being significantly lower than the average [1][5] - Homeowners have over $34 trillion in home equity, the third-largest amount on record, making HELOCs an attractive option for accessing funds without selling their homes [3] HELOC Rates and Trends - The average weekly HELOC rate is 7.64%, down 42 basis points since January 2025 [2] - The prime rate, which influences HELOC rates, has recently fallen to 7.00%, affecting the overall pricing of HELOCs [4] - Lenders have flexibility in pricing HELOCs, and rates can vary significantly based on individual credit scores and debt levels [5][11] Lender Considerations - It is advisable for borrowers to shop around for HELOCs, as rates can vary widely from lender to lender [5] - Introductory rates may only last for a limited time, after which rates can adjust to higher levels [5][8] - The best HELOC lenders typically offer low fees, fixed-rate options, and generous credit lines [6] Usage and Benefits of HELOCs - HELOCs allow homeowners to access their home equity without giving up their low-rate primary mortgage [6] - Borrowers can draw only what they need from their credit line, avoiding interest on unused funds [9] - HELOCs can be used for various purposes, including home improvements and personal expenses, provided borrowers manage repayment responsibly [12] Payment Structure - For a $50,000 HELOC at a 7.50% interest rate, the monthly payment during the draw period would be approximately $313, but rates are typically variable [13]

Core Insights - Current cash savings options offer yields ranging from 4% to 5%, providing attractive returns without market risk [2][3][6] - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts have not significantly impacted the high yields available for cash savings, making it a favorable time for savers [3][6] Cash Savings Options - High-yield savings accounts can yield up to 5.00% with certain requirements, while no-strings-attached accounts offer mid-4% returns [3][6] - The best nationwide Certificate of Deposit (CD) rate is currently 4.50% [3][6] - Brokerage and robo-advisor cash accounts are providing competitive yields in the upper-3% range, and U.S. Treasuries are offering rates up to 4.74% [6][10] Earnings Potential - A deposit of $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000 can generate significant interest over six months, depending on the chosen account's annual percentage yield (APY) [7][8] - For example, at a 5.00% APY, a $25,000 deposit could earn $617 in six months [8] Rate Variability - The rates for savings accounts and money market accounts are variable and may decrease with further Federal Reserve rate cuts, while CDs and Treasuries allow for locking in yields for a set period [9][10] Summary of Top Rates - The article provides a summary of the highest-paying options for savings accounts, CDs, brokerage accounts, and U.S. Treasuries, highlighting the importance of knowing current rates [10][14]