Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning outTrump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeNetflix's 'Missing You' lands in time for New Year binge watchTrump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeNASA's Parker Solar Probe survives close brush with the sun's scorching surfaceMusk helped kill a congressional spending bill.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady two weeks ago to a seasonally adjusted 219,000. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for layoffs.U.S. stocks could be hard pressed to duplicate 2024’s gains, especially the S&P 500, which was pushed to 57 all-time highs by a growing economy and a trio of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Big Tech, bitcoin and gold also look like big winners.
Last week, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.85%. Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices have sidelined many would-be homebuyers and put home sales on track for their worst year since 1995.