“Mortgage rates ticked up for the fifth consecutive week and crossed 7% for the first time since May of 2024,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The underlying strength of the economy is contributing to this increase in rates."

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today posted to its website its Monthly Volume Summary for December 2024, which provides information on Freddie Mac’s mortgage-related portfolios, securities issuance, risk management, delinquencies, debt activities and other investments.

Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fell Monday after Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysts downgraded the stocks to Underperform. Here's a look at the latest developments for the mortgage giants:

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's stock were downgraded to "underperform" by KBW as they are currently priced above its expectations.

The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation picked up in December, pushing the central bank's goal of a 2% annual rate farther into the distance.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.3% last month after an unrevised 0.1% gain in November, the Commerce Department said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the PCE price index climbing 0.3%. In the 12 months through December, the PCE price index advanced 2.6% after rising 2.4% in November.

Mortgage rates might drift downward in February after bumping against a ceiling in January.The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage peeked briefly above 7% in January, then promptly ducked lower. It loitered j

The federal funds rate and mortgage interest rates are often expected to move together, but they haven’t lately. Here’s why.

AM Durable Goods Durable Goods Orders measure the change in the total value of new orders for long-lasting manufactured goods, including transportation items. Durable goods orders are expected to rise 0.

With President Donald Trump back in the White House, big economic shifts could be coming for housing and job markets across the country. From tariffs on building materials to deregulation in housing and a renewed push for domestic manufacturing,

Many economists have felt relief over continued GDP growth. But ongoing data releases suggest that the foundation of the economy — consumer spending — isn’t sustainable.

The economy and the markets are complex, and the only way to understand them is to consider more than a few metrics as you piece together the mosaic of crosscurrents that define them.