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The S&P 500 is in position for a rare fourth year of consecutive annual gains. Risks are rising, our columnist says, yet Wall Street is doubling down.
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Mortgage activity in the U.S. has contracted for consecutive weeks. In the week ended April 26, the mortgage activity composite index slid 2.3% following a 2.7% fall the week before. Refinancing fell 3.3% while purchase applications dropped 1.7%. Inflation's stubbornness in the first quarter of 2024 has led investors to conclude that the Federal Reserve's first rate cut might not be coming this year. This has buoyed interest rates such as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. In the week ended April 26, the 30-year fixed rate rose 5 basis points to 7.29%, its highest since November.
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