Federal Reserve

Trump asks Supreme Court to remove Fed Gov. Cook

Trump asks Supreme Court to remove Fed Gov. Cook

Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg Key insight: The Trump administration is asking the highest court in the nation to remove barriers from ousting Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook before litigation proceeds. Expert quote: “This court should stay the district court’s deeply flawed preliminary injunction and should grant an immediate administrative stay,” — U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer. What’s […]

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How will lenders recalibrate as Fed signals path to lower rates?

Mortgage lenders are recalibrating ahead of the Federal Reserve’s anticipated monetary easing cycle by rolling out rate promotions, streamlining operations and broadening product menus. They aim to capture demand while navigating affordability and margin pressures.  Executives told HousingWire they’re preparing for renewed borrower activity as rates edge lower — but with caution, given political headwinds,

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Fed cuts rates by 25 bps as inflation lingers, labor market weakens 

The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, setting the target range at 4% to 4.25%. The first cut since December 2024 marks a new phase in the central bank’s effort to balance maximum employment and stable prices. Economists say it could usher in an easing cycle with direct

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Disappointing housing permits show why we need 6% mortgage rates

Homebuilders in America are cheering, not because of the disappointing housing permit data released today, but because mortgage rates are near 6%. We have seen four consecutive months of job losses in residential construction labor, as mortgage rates have been elevated and builders’ inventory has been piling up. Housing permits, which have been declining since early 2022,

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Fed watchers anticipate rate cuts, watch for dissents

What’s at stake: The Federal Reserve’s interest rate-setting body is expected to cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, but markets are also listening for hints of further and/or deeper cuts in the coming months.   Expert quote: “There’s the possibility that the Fed will be sending mixed messages because the consensus probably won’t

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Why mortgage lenders haven’t waited for the Fed to cut rates

Home lenders were already pricing in a 25 basis-point Federal Open Market Committee cut as a key monetary meeting got underway Tuesday, suggesting that it’ll take an outcome beyond that for them to move lower. “If they cut 25 basis points and the narrative is neutral, and reasonable people can disagree or debate what neutral

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Fed ‘Operation Mortgage Twist’ would boost housing: Pimco

The Federal Reserve may be poised to resume interest-rate cuts this week, but it could do more to ease US mortgage costs and stimulate housing by using different tools involving its balance sheet, says Pacific Investment Management Co. Even as traders fully expect the Fed to cut their short-term target by a quarter-point toward 4%

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Stephen Miran confirmed as Fed governor ahead of FOMC meeting

In a narrow 48-47 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed economist Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on Monday evening ahead of a highly anticipated FOMC meeting. Miran, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, was approved by the Senate Banking Committee last week with all Republicans voting in favor and

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Court rules against Trump, allowing Fed Governor Lisa Cook to vote on rate cuts

A federal appeals court on Monday evening denied a last-minute attempt by President Trump to block Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from participating in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting this week. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit‘s decision upheld federal Judge Jia Cobb’s order last week that blocked

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Appeals court rejects Trump’s bid to remove Cook from Fed

Key insight: A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook from the central bank’s board of governors. Expert quote: “Here, the plain purpose of providing for-cause protection was to assure members of the Board of Governors — and national and global markets — that they do not

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