MoneyWatch

Homebuyers waiting for mortgage interest rates to fall – and homeowners looking to refinance from their currently high rates – may not have to wait much longer. With a cooling inflation rate and a rise in unemployment, a cut to the federal funds rate now appears imminent when the Federal Reserve meets again in September. And some lenders aren’t even …

For much of the last two years, the answer to the question: “Is now a good time to buy a home?” has been a resounding “no.” With inflation hitting its highest point in 40 years and mortgage interest rates more than doubling (rising to their highest level since 2000), it wasn’t a good time to enter the mortgage market. And …

Over the last few months, investor attention has been largely focused on one asset in particular: gold. While the precious metal has always had an allure for investors, this renewed attention is due, in large part, to gold’s remarkable price journey so far in 2024. While gold is typically considered a long-term investment, the precious metal has recently bucked that …

With the election fast approaching and in Federal Reserve policy looming, markets are uncertain. And that means it’s more important than ever to diversify your investments. Gold can be a particularly smart option for this purpose, as it’s long been considered a safe-haven asset, protecting your wealth during times of high inflation or market volatility. In today’s climate, it’s also …

Gold investing is often considered a smart way to hedge against inflation and diversify your portfolio. But, in 2024, with the price seemingly on an endless upward trajectory, investors may be able to make quick income with the metal as well. To do so, they’ll need to take a strategic approach to the investment by making some select moves right …

For most people, the mortgage rate they’re offered plays a significant role in whether or not it makes sense to buy a home. After all, the lower your mortgage rate, the more affordable your monthly payments generally are — and the less you pay in total interest over the life of the loan. So, waiting for even a slight drop …

Thanks to inflation and a higher federal funds rate, certificate of deposit (CD) interest rates have increased exponentially in recent years. CD interest rates barely broke 1% a few years ago. By comparison, today’s average 12-month CD rate, as of August 22 2024, is 1.80%. And many of the best 12-month CDs have rates over 5% right now. However, now …

President Biden’s exit from the presidential race and move to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic party’s candidate has prompted investors and economists to reassess the campaign’s impact on everything from the stock market to the so-called “Trump trade.” So far, U.S. markets are taking Biden’s announcement to leave the campaign in stride, with thebroad-based S&P 500 index …

The best state to retire in the U.S. is also one of the smallest, according to a new ranking. Based on its high marks for affordability, access to high quality health care, overall well-being and other categories, Delaware, known as the “First State,” earned the top spot in Bankrate’s annual ranking of the best states to retire in the U.S. …

Right now, the average American is carrying about $7,950 in credit card debt. And, while this type of high-rate debt is never ideal, it can be even more of an issue in today’s economic environment. After all, credit card rates have been climbing recently, and if your balances aren’t paid off each month, the interest charges can accumulate quickly. That, …