Jobless claims plunged to the lowest level since 1973 this week, the biggest drop since April 2009. Labor market strength can pressure rates higher. According to a recently released Fed report, the economy and inflation expanded at a modest-to-moderate pace from November to the end of 2017. Inflation, which pressures interest rates to move higher, is not increasing across the ...

The Fed will meet next week for the final FOMC meeting under Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Jerome Powell has been approved by Congress to take over in 2018. Jobless claims declined for the 3rd straight week. A strong labor market could support a Fed policy rate increase at next week’s meeting. The tax reform that is fast-tracking its way through ...

The Fed announced at this week’s meeting that there would be no policy rate hike this month. They did however signal a December hike is very likely. By: Fred Arnold | American Family Funding Markets have been rallying on the probable nomination of Jerome Powell as the next Fed Chair. Powell is expected to continue the trend of current Fed ...

Stocks continue to hit new highs, driven by optimism over new tax regulations and a spurred economy. The rally is putting pressure on rates to move higher. By: Fred Arnold | American Family Funding The European Central Bank is extending their economic stimulus into 2018 but will reduce the amounts. Overall the news was positive for bonds and rates. The ...

Recently released economic data shows the economy is growing, but inflation is still not a problem. Rising inflation pressures mortgage rates to move higher. The Fed is expected to leave policy rates unchanged at this month’s meeting but raise them at December’s meeting, despite lack of inflation. Unemployment benefit claims fell to a 44-year low last week. This points to ...

Another week, and once again uneventful events happening on Wall Street. By: Fred Arnold | American Family Funding The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded within 100 points plus or minus almost the entire week. The biggest news for the week was the ability for Congress to pass the spending bill and avoid a government shutdown. Other than this agreement, it ...

Trump euphoria certainly appears to have ended in the minds and hearts of investors. By: Fred Arnold The stock market finished the week down once again by a total of 223 points.Markets are closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday. The challenge to the market is that with each passing week, it appears that President Trump will continue to ...

Supervisor Kathryn Barger plans to speak about her vision for the nation’s largest county and the role the Santa Clarita Valley plays in the regional economy. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce announced today it will host Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s inaugural State of the County ...

The markets have been somewhat in a holding pattern as investors await next weeks Fed decision on interest rates. By: Fred Arnold Although, more than 70% of analysts interviewed believe that the Fed will raise rates, investors appear to be waiting for the announcement before making any major changes in their finance strategies. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa ...

Corporate profits and resumed business optimism, relating to President Trump’s economic policies, has investors feeling more confident in business growth for 2017. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, after struggling to stay above the 20,000 mark, seems to have taken a foothold at a new record level above the 20k benchmark. Mortgage rates, which have declined slightly over the last week ...