US long-term mortgage rates stay near historic lows
US long-term mortgage rates remained unchanged despite market volatility around the globe.
WASHINGTON (AP) — US long-term mortgage rates remained near historically low levels this week against a backdrop of volatile financial markets around the globe.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on the benchmark 30-year loan was unchanged at 3.6 percent, its lowest level since November 2016. A year ago the rate stood at 4.53 percent.
The average mortgage rate for 15-year fixed-rate home loans edged up to 3.07 percent from 3.05 percent last week.
Continued anxiety over the US-China trade war and slowing global economic growth made for a rocky ride in the markets. On Wednesday, US stocks plunged after the bond market sent out a fairly reliable warning signal of recession.
The whipsawed markets have sent investors fleeing from stocks to the safety of bonds, pushing bond interest rates to record lows.
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