Rates on 30-year mortgages drop sharply

WASHINGTON — Rates on 30-year mortgages fell to the lowest level in six weeks as financial markets grew more hopeful that the Federal Reserve will boost the sluggish economy by cutting interest rates further. Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.33 percent this week, down from 6.40 percent last week. It was the lowest level since 30-year mortgages dipped to 6.31 percent on Sept. 13, which had been the lowest point since last May.

Analysts attributed this week’s decline to rising expectations that the Fed, which cut a key rate for the first time in four years in September, will trim it again at a meeting next week to try to prevent a severe slump in housing and a credit crunch from derailing the economy in coming months.
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