Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey?, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.21%. ?The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained within a narrow 10-basis point range over the last two months,? said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac?s Chief Economist.
European stock markets look set to close higher in Thursday trading as the Stoxx Europe was up 0.97%, Germany's DAX was advancing 0.99%, the FTSE 100 was gaining 0.69%, France's CAC was rising 0.95%, and the Swiss Market Index was moving 0.82% higher. The European Central Bank's Governing Council said Thursday that it has kept its three key interest rates unchanged.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday ruled out pressuring the central bank to lower interest rates, voicing "full confidence" in the bank's head Gabriel Galipolo, but added that he expects a monetary easing cycle to begin soon. "Just like we can smell rain coming, I'm sensing that very soon, interest rates will start to come down," Lula told a press conference.
The Czech central bank Thursday said its board kept interest rates unchanged, with the two-week repo rate at 3.50%, the discount rate at 2.50% and the Lombard rate at 4.50%. This decision was expected by market analysts, noted ING. Lower energy prices will likely bring next year's headline inflation below the target, while core inflation will be exposed to opposing forces, stated ING.
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All three major US stock indexes were up in late-morning trading Thursday after the latest batch of inflation data came in lower than expected. The US seasonally adjusted consumer price index, a measure of inflation, rose by 2.7% in November from the year-ago period, below expectations for a 3.1% increase in a survey conducted by Bloomberg.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday she was "fully confident" European Union leaders would agree a way to support Ukraine given the vital importance of the issue.
The Kansas City Fed monthly manufacturing index fell to a reading of 1 in December from 8 in November, below expectations for a smaller decline to 6 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The decrease follows lower readings for the other regional manufacturing data released so far.
Freddie Mac today announced that its offer to investors to exchange certain eligible Gold PCs and Giant PCs for TBA-eligible and non-TBA-eligible mirror securities will close on December 18, 2026. Freddie Mac announced the opening of the exchange offer on May 7, 2019.
AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings to ?aa? from ?aa-? and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ of Arch Reinsurance Ltd. and its strategic affiliates.
* Fed policymakers see one rate cut in 2026. * BoE follows Fed into cautious easing. * ECB executes 'uncertain' pause, avoids guidance. By Naomi Rovnick and Alun John. LONDON, Dec 18 - Central banks in big economies are signalling a change of stance, with many now on hold after a long easing cycle, and policymakers flagging that their next moves could be rate hikes if inflation takes hold again.
Central banks in big economies are signalling a change of stance, with many now on hold after a long easing cycle, and policymakers flagging that their next moves could be rate hikes if inflation takes hold again. The European Central Bank all but confirmed it was done with monetary easing, while the Bank of England cut rates in a narrow vote as dissenters cautioned about price pressures.
Central banks in big economies are signalling a change of stance, with many now on hold after a long easing cycle, and policymakers flagging that their next moves could be rate hikes if inflation takes hold again. The European Central Bank all but confirmed it was done with monetary easing, while the Bank of England cut rates in a narrow vote as dissenters cautioned about price pressures.
AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to ?bbb+? from ?bbb? and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ of Irwell Insurance Company Limited. The Credit Ratings reflect Irwell?s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Canada's main stock index gained on Thursday, after a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation print strengthened market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. The S&P/TSX Composite index rose 1% to 31,567.25 points by 10:06 a.m. ET, rebounding after four straight days of modest losses.
The European Central Bank cemented market expectations that it has finished cutting rates on Thursday, as it raised its inflation forecasts for this year and next, but traders stopped short of boosting their bets on the timing of the first rate hike. ECB chief Christine Lagarde stressed that the outlook remained highly uncertain and the bank would keep its options open.
* US inflation data increase less than expected. * Trump says next Fed chair to favour lower rates 'by a lot' * BoE cuts rates in tight 5-4 vote. * ECB holds rates steady. * Markets look for catalysts from key central bank decisions. By Chibuike Oguh and Samuel Indyk.
US consumer prices rose less than expected on an annual basis in November, while core inflation decelerated to the lowest since early 2021, likely keeping the door open for another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The consumer price index rose 2.7% year over year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with its housing finance agency partners, announced that $8.4 million in Home4Good grants have been awarded this year to support 110 programs in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the fight against homelessness.
AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from positive and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ?bbb-? of FHM Insurance Company. The Credit Ratings reflect FHM?s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett welcomed the consumer price index report on Thursday, saying the U.S. economy was showing high growth and lower inflation. "I'm not saying we're going to declare victory yet on the price problem, but this is just an astonishingly good CPI report," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to comply with Belgian demands and make available assets held in Germany belonging to the Russian central bank to support Ukraine, German news agency dpa reported on Thursday. It cited negotiating sources on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.
Russia's central bank said on Thursday it will extend its legal action beyond its lawsuit against Belgium-based depository Euroclear and sue European banks in a Russian court over attempts to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett welcomed the consumer price index report on Thursday, saying the U.S. economy was showing high growth and lower inflation. "I'm not saying we're going to declare victory yet on the price problem, but this is just an astonishingly good CPI report," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network.
Canada's main stock index opened higher on Thursday after a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation print strengthened market expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. At 9:30 a.m. ET, Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.4% at 31,382.60 points.
Wall Street's main indexes opened higher on Thursday after softer-than-expected inflation data boosted expectations for more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, while chipmaker Micron's blowout forecast briefly eased worries about tech-sector valuation.
Cintas (CTAS) raised its annual forecast for revenue and profit on Thursday, betting on resilient demand for its products, including uniform rentals and first-aid supplies. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.
Gold edged down from a record high early on Thursday after the dollar and treasury yields weakened after the United States released incomplete data showing inflation slowed in November.
US stocks look set to open higher in Thursday's trading session as investors dissect key inflation and jobless claims figures released earlier in the morning, which came in lower than expected.
* US inflation data increase less than expected. * Trump says next Fed chair to favour lower rates 'by a lot' * BoE cuts rates in tight 5-4 vote. * ECB holds rates steady. * Markets look for catalysts from key central bank decisions. By Chibuike Oguh and Samuel Indyk.
* Stocks edge up in cautious trade, focus on tech. * BoE cuts rates, ECB stays put. * US CPI report for November softer than expected. By Amanda Cooper.
The Canadian dollar is ending the year on a "strong footing", with gains broad-based across the G10: all currencies except the Swedish krona have depreciated against the loonie, National Bank of Canada noted Thursday. It said the recent resurgence reflects a mix of better-than-expected economic data and clearer policy follow-through from the Canadian federal government since the Nov. 4 budget.
U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in the year to November, and expectations for a January rate cut from the Federal Reserve inched up slightly as the report was impacted by the extended government shutdown. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year-on-year in November, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Thursday.
Blackstone Inc (BX): * BLACKSTONE CEO STEPHEN SCHWARZMAN: LOOK FORWARD TO OTHER CUTS FROM THE U.S. FED -CNBC INTERVIEW. * BLACKSTONE CEO STEPHEN SCHWARZMAN: NUMBERS USED AS PART OF CPI STILL TOO HIGH IN REAL ESTATE INFLATION, IF YOU ADJUSTED IT, WE'RE QUITE CLOSE TO 2% Source text: Further company coverage:
Following is the text of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde's statement after the bank's policy meeting on Thursday: Link to statement on ECB website: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conference/monetary-policy-statement/2025/html/ecb.is251218~3a10402adb.en.html. Good afternoon, the Vice-President and I welcome you to our press conference.
Retirement optimism dropped by over 10% in 2025, according to new consumer sentiment data by PensionBee (PBNYF). 2025 brought volatile markets, unprecedented tariffs, and the longest government shutdown in history.
U.S. inflation cooled more than expected in November, giving investors renewed confidence that price pressures are easing and strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve's easing cycle can stay on track into 2026. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year over year in November 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
By Jamie McGeever. The Japanese yen was the worst-performing major currency against the bruised U.S. dollar in 2025, even though the Bank of Japan was the only major central bank to raise interest rates.
?Local market performance varies widely, with a growing divide in appreciation levels between Rust Belt and Sun Belt markets, says Chief Economist Mark Fleming? First American Data & Analytics, a leading national provider of property-centric information, risk management and valuation solutions and a division of First American Financial Corporation (FAF), today released its November 2025 Home Price In...
Socure, the AI-first platform for global identity and risk decisioning, has announced today that it has joined the World Economic Forum?s Unicorn Community, an exclusive invite-only program, designated for private hyper-growth companies valued at over $1 billion at the forefront of disruption and innovation in their industries.
The Bank of England delivered its fourth rate cut of the year, reducing 25bps and taking Bank Rate to 3.75% on Thursday, as expected, said Sanjay Raja, chief United Kingdom Economist at Deutsche Bank. As has been a long-standing theme for the BoE, divisions within the Monetary Policy Committee remain, noted Raja. It's now been more than four years since investors had a unanimous decision.
LONDON, Dec. 18, 2025 CPI Electron Device Business ??TMD Technologies Division has successfully completed sea trials of its HARLEQUIN quantum-hybrid inertial navigation system aboard the THV Galatea, operated by Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.
The US seasonally adjusted consumer price index, a measure of inflation, rose by 2.7% in November from a year earlier, below expectations for a 3.1% increase in a survey conducted by Bloomberg. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by 2.6% year-over-year, also lower than the consensus estimate for a 3.0% increase.
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, reversing the prior week's surge and suggesting labor market conditions remained stable in December. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended December 13, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, reversing the prior week's surge and suggesting labor market conditions remained stable in December. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ended December 13, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 224,000 in the employment survey week ended Dec. 13 after rising to an upwardly revised 237,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a decrease to 225,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg. Initial claims were at a level of 222,000 in the employment survey week ended Nov. 15.
U.S. stock index futures extended their gains on Thursday, as a softer-than-anticipated inflation report reinforced market expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. A Labor Department report showed the Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% on an annual basis in November, compared with an estimated 3.1% rise, according to economists polled by Reuters.
* Consumer price index up 2.7% on year-over-year basis in November. * No monthly inflation rates were published due to government shutdown. * Weekly jobless claims decrease 13,000 to 224,000. * Continuing claims increase 67,000 to 1.897 million. By Lucia Mutikani.
Cion Investment Corp (CION): * CION INVESTMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES THE ISSUANCE OF $172.5 MILLION SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES Source text: Further company coverage:
U.S. stock index futures extended their gains on Thursday, as a softer-than-anticipated inflation report reinforced market expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. A Labor Department report showed the Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% on an annual basis in November, compared with an estimated 3.1% rise, according to economists polled by Reuters.
In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.
Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.
Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
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