Latest Federal Reserve System News

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage climbs for the first time since late May to just under 7%

Jul. 03, 2024 13:48 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose this week, pushing up borrowing costs on a home loan for the first time since late May. The rate rose to 6.95% from 6.86% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.81%. ...

How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 7/3/2024

Jul. 03, 2024 13:38 PM EDT

Wall Street’s record-breaking rally kept going after weak reports on the economy kept the door open for possible cuts to interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Wednesday to set an all-time high for the 33rd time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%, and the...

Stock market today: Wall Street hits records as a slowing economy boosts hopes for lower rates

Jul. 03, 2024 13:30 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s record-breaking rally kept going Wednesday after weak reports on the U.S. economy kept the door open for possible cuts to interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to set an all-time high for a second straight day and for the 33rd time this year....

US filings for jobless claims inch up modestly, but continuing claims rise for ninth straight week

Jul. 03, 2024 09:29 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits inched up last week and remain historically low, however the total number of people collecting jobless benefits continues to grow. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that jobless claims for the week...

How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 7/2/2024

Jul. 02, 2024 16:47 PM EDT

A big gain for Tesla helped drive Wall Street to more records. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to top its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% from its own record set a day earlier. Tesla led the way after the...

Fed Chair Jerome Powell: US inflation is cooling again, though it isn't yet time to cut rates

Jul. 02, 2024 12:45 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation in the United States is slowing again after higher readings earlier this year, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday, while adding that more such evidence would be needed before the Fed would cut interest rates. After some persistently high...

US job openings rise to 8.1 million despite higher interest rates

Jul. 02, 2024 12:27 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. job openings rose slightly to 8.1 million in May despite the impact of higher interest rates intended to cool the labor market. Vacancies rose from a revised 7.9 million in April, the first reading below 8 million since February 2021, the Labor Department...

Federal Reserve Chair Powell: US inflation is slowing again after higher readings earlier this year

Jul. 02, 2024 09:46 AM EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Powell: US inflation is slowing again after higher readings earlier this year.

Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after gains on Wall Street

Jul. 02, 2024 00:56 AM EDT

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday after stocks advanced on Wall Street and yields jumped in the U.S. bond market as election-related issues swayed markets worldwide. U.S. futures fell and oil prices rose. The Japanese yen fell to near a fresh 38-year low, reaching...

This Week: Job openings, Fed meeting minutes, June nonfarm payrolls report

Jul. 01, 2024 08:03 AM EDT

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week: NOW HIRING The Labor Department releases its latest monthly snapshot of U.S. job openings Tuesday. Openings fell in April to the lowest level since 2021, with employers...