Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF

The recent spike in national mortgage rates stirred concerns among homebuyers and economists alike. With the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) climbing to 6.88% on April 11, questions arise about the trajectory of the housing market. Chart Source: Freddie Mac Additionally, other key indicators such as the 15-year fixed mortgage rate, which rose to 6.16%, signaled a broader trend of rate hikes. Also Read: Are You A Housing Market Lock-In? High Mortgage Rates Result In ‘People Not Living In Homes They Would Prefer’ Stubborn Inflation And The Fed To Blame Per Freddie Mac, mortgage rates have gradually increased through the year, due to persistent inflation and the reassessment of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy trajectory. The latest inflation figures from March indicate minimal change, but the financial market’s response presents a contrasting economic outlook. The March estimate of 3.5% annual inflation growth fell within the range of 3.1% to 3.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

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Interest rates are on everyone’s radar, but what’s the game plan amid the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold steady for now? Benzinga interviewed Greg McBride, CFA, Senior Vice President of Bankrate, for his exclusive insights on the current state of the economy and his expectations with the future. Related: Federal Reserve Pushes Stocks To Record Highs As Rate Cuts Loom, Nvidia Rallies, Apple Faces Legal Woes: This Week In The Markets Interest Rates May Take The Stairs Coming Down McBride offered some very actionable insights. In response to a question about the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged this time, McBride said, “Interest rates took the elevator going up, but they're going to take the stairs coming down.” Per McBride, savers can capitalize on potentially lucrative returns that outpace inflation, from savings accounts, money markets, and CDs, provided they shop around for optimal deals. For borrowers, the mantra remains clear: prioritize slashing high-cost credit card debt. His advice? “Always make at least your minimum payment on time – you can always pay more later.” ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

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