NEW YORK — Rates on fixed mortgages dropped to their lowest levels in decades this week after the Federal Reserve unveiled a massive bond-buying program to help spur economic growth. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Tuesday the average rate for ...

Tagged with: Banking Economy freddie mac housing loans mortgage National Association of Realtors new york Real Estate treasury

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve says it will buy a total of $105 billion worth of government bonds starting later this week as it launches a new program to invigorate the economy. The bonds will be purchased through a series ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke bonds Economy federal reserve Government stimulus treasury washington

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is poised to adopt a new plan to jolt the economy. It’s a high-stakes gamble that could shape Chairman Ben Bernanke’s legacy. The Fed is all but certain to detail its plan for buying more ...

Tagged with: Ben Bernanke Economy fed federal reserve treasury

NEW YORK — Stocks traded in a tight range Wednesday after a disappointing report on the jobs market renewed concern about the economy. Treasury yields sank to new lows as investors sought safety and anticipated more stimulus measures from the ...

Tagged with: jobs Stocks treasury

Stocks tumbled Thursday after two disappointing economic reports renewed investors’ concerns about the pace of the recovery. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 144 points. All the major stock indexes fell more than 1 percent. Interest rates also fell sharply ...

Tagged with: dow jones economic Economy federal reserve investors jobs Labor Department Recession recovery stock treasury

NEW YORK — Stocks have ended a seesaw day with a modest advance after investors found some pluses in the day’s retail earnings reports. There was little to motivate investors a day after a stream of improving economic numbers restored ...

Tagged with: dow jones home depot investors rally stock market Stocks target treasury Wal-mart