Mortgage rates drop to 3-year low ahead of Fed meeting

CNBC
CNBC
3M ago
53 views
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.13%, the lowest since late 2022, as investors anticipate a Federal Reserve rate cut.
Mortgage rates drop to 3-year low ahead of Fed meeting
A What happened
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has dropped to 6.13%, the lowest since late 2022, following a decrease of 12 basis points. This decline is linked to investor behavior in mortgage-backed bonds in anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut. Matthew Graham, COO of Mortgage News Daily, noted that the current situation mirrors trends observed in September 2024, where mortgage rates rose paradoxically after a Fed cut. Willy Walker, CEO of Walker & Dunlop, highlighted that historical data shows Fed cuts during recessionary periods tend to lower long-term rates, while those in non-recessionary times do not have the same effect. He predicts that even with expected cuts, long-term rates may not see significant changes, suggesting a potential sell-off in the 10-year yield after the Fed's announcement.

Key insights

  • 1

    Mortgage Rate Trends: Current mortgage rates reflect investor expectations of a Fed rate cut.

  • 2

    Historical Patterns: Past Fed cuts show varied impacts on long-term mortgage rates.

  • 3

    Market Reactions: Investors may buy on rumors and sell on news regarding rate cuts.

Takeaways

The mortgage rate decline indicates market anticipation of Federal Reserve actions, but long-term impacts remain uncertain.

Topics

Business & Markets Markets Economy

Read the full article on CNBC