Housing starts fell by 2.8% to a 1.465 million annual rate in April, with single-family housing starts lower but multi-family starts higher. Building permits rose by 5.8% to a 1.442 million rate in April, lifted by an increase in multi-family permits that more than offset a decline in single-family permits.
Weekly applications for unemployment insurance in the US decreased, while continuing claims moved higher, government data showed Thursday. For the week through May 16, the seasonally adjusted number of initial claims fell by 3,000 to 209,000, the Department of Labor said.
Financial stocks were mixed in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index fractionally lower and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF up 0.2%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was down 0.1%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF was shedding 0.2%. Bitcoin was rising 0.6% to $77,915, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was steady around 4.572%. In ...
Financial stocks edged lower in Thursday afternoon trading, with the NYSE Financial Index and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF each easing about 0.1%. The Philadelphia Housing Index was down 0.1%, and the State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF was shedding 0.2%. Bitcoin was rising 0.6% to $77,915, and the yield for 10-year US Treasuries was steady around 4.572%. In cor...
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ?bbb? of Nacional de Seguros S.A. Compa??a de Seguros Generales. The ratings reflect Nacional de Seguros? balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
KBRA assigns a long-term rating of AAA to the State of Maryland General Obligation Bonds, State and Local Facilities Loan of 2026, First Series Tax-Exempt Bonds and affirms the long-term rating of AAA for the State's outstanding General Obligation Bonds. Key Credit Considerations The rating actions reflect the following key credit considerations: Credit Positives. Credit Challenges.
Surging U.S. Treasury yields have prompted mortgage investors to hedge the loans in their portfolios by selling government debt, a shift?that probably exacerbated the bond selloff this week and added to the biggest rate spike in a year.
Broad Market Indicators. Broad-market exchange-traded fund IWM edged higher and IVV fell. US equity indexes fell, pressured by higher crude oil and Treasury yields, amid concern that Iran's nuclear ambitions could breach President Donald Trump's red lines. Energy. IShares US Energy ETF rose 0.1% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR fell fractionally. Technology.
ITS Logistics, an Echo Global Logistics company, today released its May Supply Chain Report. ?U.S. inflation accelerated noticeably in April 2026, with the Consumer Price Index rising 3.8% year-over-year and 0.6% month-over-month ? the highest annual inflation rate since 2023,? said Stan Kolev, Chief Financial Officer at ITS Logistics.
US housing starts decreased less than estimated in April amid a jump in multi-family projects, while the single-unit component declined, government data showed Thursday. Starts fell 2.8% sequentially to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.47 million units last month, according to the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
US equity indexes fell, pressured by higher crude oil and Treasury yields, amid concern that Iran's nuclear ambitions could breach President Donald Trump's red lines. The Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.5% to 26,136.5, with the S&P 500 down 0.4% to 7,404.4 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lower by 0.2% to 49,888.2 in midday trading Thursday.
A major multiple-amended housing bill that is expected to expand the use of private activity bonds passes the House and bounces back to the Senate, but obstacles remain over provisions regulating institutional investors.
How businesses and consumers respond to ongoing economic shocks will determine if the U.S. Federal Reserve can "look through" current high inflation or needs to consider raising interest rates, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said on Thursday.
How businesses and consumers respond to ongoing economic shocks will determine if the U.S. Federal Reserve can "look through" current high inflation or needs to consider raising interest rates, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said on Thursday.
When Kevin Warsh takes command of the Federal Reserve, he will do so as some central bank officials and staff have become increasingly anxious about the state of the financial markets and the risk that presents to the economy.
The interest rate on the most popular U.S. home loan shot to its highest since August this week as yields on the government bonds most influential in setting residential borrowing costs have climbed on concern about the inflation being aggravated by the war with Iran.
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey?, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.51%. ?The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.51% this week,? said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac?s Chief Economist. News Facts The PMMS? is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20% down and have excellent credit.
* Minutes show Banxico board's diverging inflation outlooks. * Some governors see inflation risks from Middle East conflict as limited. * Dissenters urged caution, citing need to assess inflation shocks before further easing. By Brendan O'Boyle and Emily Green.
National Bank of Canada on Thursday maintained its outperform rating on the shares of Hemlo Mining (HMMCF) and its C$9.00 price target following the miner's first-quarter results. Hemlo reported first-quarter financial results in its first full quarter under new management.
Uncertainty around the impacts of war in the Middle East dominated the Bank of Mexico's May monetary policy decision, which ended in a split 3-2 vote to cut Mexico's benchmark interest rate, according to minutes from the meeting which were published Thursday morning.
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of ?aa-? of Intact Insurance Company, the lead company of Intact Financial Corporation (IFCZF) [TSX: IFC], as well as the core insurance subsidiaries of IFC.
Some U.S. Federal Reserve officials proposed extending a critical, international supply line of U.S. dollars to underpin financial stability, according to an account of their recent meeting. The discussion centred on extending so-called U.S. dollar swap lines, which the Fed has with five major central banks and has become a key backstop for global banking since the financial crisis.
* Iran hardens stance on nuclear issue in peace talks, sources say. * Euro zone bond yields rise as oil prices jump and inflation concerns mount. * PMI data and Nomura economists highlight stagflation risks from Iran war. By Amanda Cooper.
Some U.S. Federal Reserve officials proposed extending a critical, international supply line of U.S. dollars to underpin financial stability, according to an account of their recent meeting. The discussion centred on extending so-called U.S. dollar swap lines, which the Fed has with five major central banks and has become a key backstop for global banking since the financial crisis.
The Kansas City Fed monthly manufacturing index fell to a reading of 8 in May from 10 in April, lower than expectations for a smaller decrease to 9 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The decline follows mixed readings for the other regional manufacturing data released so far.
National Bank of Canada Thursday maintained Torex Gold Resources's outperform rating and a C$101 target. The company appointed Dan Rollins as chief financial officer from senior vice president of corporate development and investor relations, effective June 17. The change is effective as Andrew Snowden assumes the role as president and chief executive officer upon the departure of Jody Kuzenko.
* Oil prices climb over 2% * Iran issues directive on country's near-weapons-grade uranium. * Traders now see 58% chance of at least one rate hike by 2026-end. By Ishaan Arora. Gold prices fell 1% on Thursday as climbing oil prices heightened inflation worries, boosting bets for U.S. rate hikes and lifting Treasury yields and the dollar, which added more pressure on bullion.
* Weekly jobless claims fall 3,000 to 209,000; layoffs remain low despite high-profile tech job cuts. * Continuing claims increase 6,000 to a still relatively low 1.782 million. * Single-family housing starts drop 9.0% in April; building permits decrease 2.6% By Lucia Mutikani.
U.S. manufacturing activity strengthened in May, scaling the highest level in four years, as businesses boosted inventories to guard against potential shortages and rising prices related to the war with Iran. S&P Global said its flash manufacturing PMI increased to 55.3 this month, the highest reading since May 2022, from 54.5 in April.
U.S. single-family homebuilding dropped sharply in April and permits for future construction fell, suggesting the housing market could remain subdued for a while as the Iran war drives up mortgage rates and an oversupply of new houses persists.
U.S. single-family homebuilding dropped sharply in April and permits for future construction fell, suggesting the housing market could remain subdued for a while as the Iran war drives up mortgage rates and an oversupply of new houses persists.
U.S. Treasury yields retraced a portion of their Thursday morning gains after the release of stronger-than-expected economic data, as investors weigh the Iran war's impact on inflation and the U.S. economy.
Proceeds to Support Maturity Extension and General Corporate Purposes SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2026 National Funding, a leading provider of small business financing solutions, today announced the successful completion of a $70 million senior unsecured notes offering, upsized from $55 million, reflecting strong investor demand.
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) announced today the early tender results, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May?20, 2026, and the satisfaction of the condition to receive proceeds of an offering of new senior unsecured notes on terms satisfactory to the Issuer, in each case in respect of the previously announced offer by Kraft Heinz Foods Company, its 100% owned subsidiary, to purchase for cash ...
April housing starts fell by 2.8% from the previous month to a 1.465 million annual rate, compared with expectations compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET for a 1.410 million rate after an increase to a 1.507 million pace in March. Building permits jumped by 5.8% to a 1.442 million rate in April, above the 1.384 million rate expected and following a decrease to a 1.363 million rate in March.
US initial jobless claims fell to a level of 209,000 in the employment survey week ended May 16 from an upwardly revised 212,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to 210,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET. Initial claims were at a level of 215,000 in the employment survey week ended April 18.
The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to labor market resilience and giving the Federal Reserve room to focus on surging inflation from the war with Iran. There are no signs yet that employers are responding to rising costs by reducing headcount.
The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to labor market resilience and giving the Federal Reserve room to focus on rising inflation. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 209,000 for the week ended May 16, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Transaction includes two mutual funds and one interval fund focused on fixed income and credit strategies American Beacon Advisors, Inc., an experienced provider of investment advisory services to institutional and retail markets, today announced a series of transactions pursuant to which it will assume fund management oversight responsibilities for three City National Rochdale Funds currently ...
Bird Construction (BIRDF) announced Thursday that Morningstar DBRS has assigned the company an investment-grade Issuer Rating of BBB with a Stable trend.
* Oil prices climb around 3% * Tehran said it was reviewing Washington's latest responses. * Gold has fallen more than 14% since the war began. By Anjana Anil. Gold eased on Thursday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and high Treasury yields, while stagnant peace talks in the Middle East kept oil elevated, inflation concerns alive, and reinforced bets of higher interest rates.
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.
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