BlackRock's Chaudhuri Optimistic About US Stocks
Gargi Chaudhuri, BlackRock chief investment and portfolio strategist, Americas, says she sees some reasons to be optimistic about US stocks but risks still remain. Speaking on "Bloomberg Open Interest," Chaudhuri also comments on the outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy.
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Bloomberg
24 minutes ago
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Emerging-Market Assets Extend Gains as Korean Rally Continues
Emerging-market stocks rose for a third consecutive session, with South Korean assets extending their world-beating gains after a presidential election. MSCI's EM stock gauge is heading for 2.4% gains in the past three days. An index of developing-nation currencies also edged higher as the dollar has remained under pressure from investors expecting a more dovish Federal Reserve after softer US employment data.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump calls Powell 'unbelievable!!!' as he renews call for lower rates
President Trump renewed his call for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates as a new report showed weakness in the job market. "'Too Late' Powell must now LOWER THE RATE," Trump posted Wednesday on Truth Social. "He is unbelievable!!!" Trump in his post referenced the new ADP National Employment Report out Wednesday showing private-sector hiring growth fell sharply last month. Just 37,000 jobs were created in May, according to the report, the smallest increase in private payrolls since March 2023. That's far fewer than the 114,000 expected by economists and below the 60,000 new jobs added in April. The new ADP weakness comes ahead of the Labor Department's jobs report due out Friday. Economists estimate that report will show that 130,000 jobs were created last month — down from 177,000 in April — with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2%. Powell this year has repeatedly urged caution and patience on rates, saying he expects Trump's tariffs to push inflation higher and drag down growth, putting the Fed in a challenging spot. Read more: How jobs, inflation, and the Fed are all related Last month, the central bank elected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%. Its next policy meeting is June 17-18, and investors don't expect any change at that gathering. Powell met with Trump in person last Thursday. The White House said the president told the central bank boss that he is making a mistake by not lowering rates. The face-to-face encounter follows months of criticism of Powell from Trump, who has called Powell a "major loser" and a "fool" who "doesn't have a clue." Read more: How much control does the president have over the Fed and interest rates? A divide is emerging among Powell's fellow policymakers about whether to hold rates steady for some time or get more comfortable about cuts later this year as officials try to determine whether any inflation coming from President Trump's tariffs will prove to be longer-lasting. Some policymakers are arguing for "looking through" the impact of the duties as temporary, a stance that would leave the door open for cuts. Many on the rate-setting committee, however, believe there is a risk that inflation from tariffs could become more persistent. The patient approach by the US central bank contrasts with foreign central banks like the European Central Bank, which has cut rates seven times in a little more than a year and is set to cut rates again on Thursday. Investors expect Thursday's cut to be among the last in this string unless the eurozone economy faces recession. "Europe has lowered nine times," Trump posted Wednesday. While tariffs are thought to have an inflationary impact in the US, in Europe they are expected to be more deflationary. Swiss consumer prices were in deflationary territory in May, raising the prospect that the Swiss National Bank will cut interest rates further later this month. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


CNET
2 hours ago
- CNET
Home Loan Rates Improve for Borrowers: Mortgage Rates for June 5, 2025
Check out CNET Money's weekly mortgage rate forecast for a more in-depth look at what's next for Fed rate cuts, labor data and inflation. It's been a bumpy few months for mortgage rates. Lingering inflation, the threat of a global trade war and growing recession worries have reduced affordable options for homebuyers. The average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.90% today, down -0.08% over the last week. The average rate for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.09%, which is a decrease of -0.05% compared to a week ago. Given so much economic uncertainty, the Federal Reserve is adopting a wait-and-see approach when it comes to interest rate adjustments. After cutting borrowing costs three times last year, the central bank has held rates steady so far in 2025, extending its holding pattern for a third consecutive meeting on May 7. If President Trump eases some of his aggressive tariff measures or if the labor market deteriorates, it could prompt the Fed to resume easing interest rates, which would put downward pressure on bond yields and mortgage rates, said Logan Mohtashami, senior analyst at HousingWire. Average 30-year fixed rates are likely to remain stuck between 6.5% and 7% for the time being. Prospective homebuyers also continue to face the challenges of high home prices and limited inventory. When mortgage rates start to fall, be ready to take advantage. Experts recommend shopping around and comparing multiple offers to get the lowest rate. Enter your information here to get a custom quote from one of CNET's partner lenders. About these rates: Bankrate's tool features rates from partner lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates. What's going on with mortgage rates right now? Mortgage rates are closely tied to the bond market, specifically the 10-year Treasury yield, which is sensitive to investors' expectations for inflation, labor data, changes to monetary policy and global measures like tariffs. Early forecasts called for a gradual decline in mortgage rates (potentially reaching 6% by the end of 2025), but concerns over a potential recession and uncertain trade policies have kept longer-term bond yields and mortgage rates in flux so far. "Bond yields will only drop if the rate of inflation continues to drop and the economy weakens," said Melissa Cohn, regional vice president at William Raveis Mortgage. "If inflation were to fire back up, that could cause rates to go up," Cohn said, noting that tariffs, by nature, are inflationary. Even if the economy slows and the Fed resumes interest rate cuts this summer, it will be difficult for mortgage rates to fall below 5.5% without the risk of a job-loss recession. For a look at mortgage rate movement in recent years, see the chart below. Will mortgage rates fall in 2025? Check out CNET Money's mortgage forecast for 2025. Here's a look at where some major housing authorities expect average mortgage rates to land. What is a good mortgage type and term? Each mortgage has a loan term, or payment schedule. The most common mortgage terms are 15 and 30 years, although 10-, 20- and 40-year mortgages also exist. With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the duration of the loan, offering stability. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate is only fixed for a certain amount of time (commonly five, seven or 10 years), after which the rate adjusts annually based on the market. Fixed-rate mortgages are a better option if you plan to live in a home in the long term, but adjustable-rate mortgages may offer lower interest rates upfront. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages The average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.90% today. A 30-year fixed mortgage is the most common loan term. It will often have a higher interest rate than a 15-year mortgage, but you'll have a lower monthly payment. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages Today, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed mortgage is 6.09%. Though you'll have a bigger monthly payment than a 30-year fixed mortgage, a 15-year loan usually comes with a lower interest rate, allowing you to pay less interest in the long run and pay off your mortgage sooner. 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages A 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage has an average rate of 6.19% today. You'll typically get a lower introductory interest rate with a 5/1 ARM in the first five years of the mortgage. But you could pay more after that period, depending on how the rate adjusts annually. If you plan to sell or refinance your house within five years, an ARM could be a good option. Calculate your monthly mortgage payment Getting a mortgage should always depend on your financial situation and long-term goals. The most important thing is to make a budget and try to stay within your means. CNET's mortgage calculator below can help homebuyers prepare for monthly mortgage payments. Where can I find the best mortgage rates? Though mortgage rates and home prices are high, the housing market won't be unaffordable forever. It's always a good time to save for a down payment and improve your credit score to help you secure a competitive mortgage rate when the time is right. Save for a bigger down payment: Though a 20% down payment isn't required, a larger upfront payment means taking out a smaller mortgage, which will help you save in interest. Boost your credit score: You can qualify for a conventional mortgage with a 620 credit score, but a higher score of at least 740 will get you better rates. Pay off debt: Experts recommend a debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less to help you qualify for the best rates. Not carrying other debt will put you in a better position to handle your monthly payments. Research loans and assistance: Government-sponsored loans have more flexible borrowing requirements than conventional loans. Some government-sponsored or private programs can also help with your down payment and closing costs. Shop around for lenders: Researching and comparing multiple loan offers from different lenders can help you secure the lowest mortgage rate for your situation.