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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The dollar was higher against the euro Thursday, in what analysts said was a largely technical trading move rather than a reflection of fundamental conditions, as stocks slumped and economic data continued to reveal worrying house price and employment conditions.
MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- U.S. fixed-rate mortgages fell again in the latest week, according to Freddie Mac's survey released Thursday. The national average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 6.10% in the week ending Thursday; it hasn't been lower since the week ended Oct. 13, 2005, when it averaged 6.03%. The current rate is down from 6.20% a week ago and 6.14% a year ago. The 15-year fixed-rate loan averaged 5.73%, down from 5.83% a week ago and 5.87% a year ago. The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 5.86%, compared with 5.88% a week ago and 5.95% a year ago. "Interest rates for U.S. Treasury securities have been drifting lower this month over market concerns that the housing slump and stress in the credit markets could slow future economic growth," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "As a result, interest rates for fixed-rate mortgages had room to slip lower this week."