Mortgage Rates Overview - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage decreased to 6.18% from 6.21% last week, down from 6.85% a year ago [1][2] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.50% from 5.47% last week, compared to 6% 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 [2][4] - The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.15% from 4.12% last week [3] Market Trends - The average 30-year mortgage rate has remained steady since dropping to 6.17% on October 30, its lowest level in over a year [3] - Home listings have significantly increased from last year, with many sellers lowering their asking prices due to longer selling times [5] Buyer Challenges - Affordability remains a significant challenge for many potential homeowners, particularly first-time buyers without existing home equity [6] - Economic uncertainty and job market conditions are causing many potential buyers to hesitate [6] Sales Performance - Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November compared to the previous month but slowed year-over-year for the first time since May, with home sales down 0.5% for the first 11 months of the year compared to last year [7] - Economists predict that the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will remain slightly above 6% next year [7]

you a believer in the Santa Claus rally. Do you see these next seven days being positive. And if so, what areas of the market do you see having the best performance.>> Yeah. So, you know, I I'd have to say although I don't think it's predictive, the data is real. You know, 75% of the time it does in fact happen.And so, I'm not going to buck that trend and suggest that I've got any reason to believe that it won't happen this time around. Uh, you know, I'd love to tell you I got something particularly picked ...

Gold Spot U.S. Dollar surged to a new record high this week, trading at $4,497.82 per ounce and testing the psychological $4,500 barrier, triggering a significant quantitative breakout for three prominent gold-linked stocks.Breaking Into The Top DecileAlamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI) , OR Royalties Inc. (NYSE:OR) , and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE:WPM) have all surged into the top 10th percentile of Benzinga Edge's Stock Ranking.The Benzinga Edge’s momentum ranking measures a stock’s relative strength bas ...

Bloomberg Gold and silver soared to all-time highs, as escalating geopolitical tensions and bets on further US rate cuts added momentum to the best annual performance in more than four decades. Bullion climbed more than 1.5% to surpass the previous record of $4,381 an ounce set in October, while silver rallied as much as 3.4%, closing in on $70 an ounce, extending gains that have put both metals firmly on course for their strongest annual performance since 1979. Most Read from Bloomberg The latest pus ...

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Recent inflation data, expectations of a Fed chair appointment favoring rate cuts and comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller have increased the likelihood of rate cuts beyond what markets may have priced in.According to the CME FedWatch tool, markets are anticipating a 25.5% likelihood of interest rates being lowered to 3.25-3.5% in its January 2026 meeting, up from a 15.3% likelihood just a month earlier.Softer Inflation Fuels Hopes of Earlier Rate CutsSofter U.S. inflation data have strengthened be ...

Stocks look set toclose out a choppy week on a steady note, building on Thursday’s gains, spurred by cooler inflation that backs the case for lower borrowing costs. As of 8:00am, S&P 500 futures were 0.1% higher while Nasdaq 100 contracts were up 0.2% after the WSJ reported that OpenAI is set to raise $100BN in fresh capital (from sov wealth funds) removing near-term funding pressures across the AI sector. In premarket trading Oracle is up 6%, off session highs, with the rest of the Mag 7 complex mostly hig ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices remained stable during the morning Asian session, buoyed by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, which typically increase the attractiveness of gold as a non-interest-bearing asset [1] Group 1 - The stability of gold prices is linked to the anticipation of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [1] - Rate cuts generally enhance the appeal of gold, as it does not yield interest [1]

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged lower this week, staying relatively close to its low for the year. The decline brings the average long-term mortgage rate to 6.21% from 6.22% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.72%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell this week. The rate averaged 5.47%, down from 5.54% last week. A year ago, it averaged 5.92%, Freddie Mac said. ...

Key Takeaways Gold prices are up 64.74% year to date, supported by central bank buying and uncertainty.A weaker dollar and looming Fed cuts continue to fuel gold's upside.ETFs like GLD and GDX help investors ride gold's momentum. Gold prices have already climbed 28.33% over the past six months and 64.74% year to date. With forecasts pointing to further gains next year, the case for increased portfolio exposure continues to strengthen.Increasing central bank buying, ongoing economic uncertainty, expectations ...