Mortgage rates

Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman suggested that a half percentage-point increase in interest rates could be on the table next month if incoming readings on inflation come in too high.

The 30-year average increased by 23 basis points on inflation, geopolitical news.

Minutes of the Jan. 25-26 Federal Open Market Committee meeting, released Wednesday, “[tell] us that they will raise the fed funds rate in March, and that a 50 basis point rate hike is in play,” said Gus Faucher, chief economist for PNC Financial Services Group.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said he supports raising interest rates by a full percentage point by the start of July — including the first half-point hike since 2000 — in response to the hottest inflation in four decades.

Inflation data showing a 7.5% increase in consumer prices will likely lead to Federal Reserve moves that apply continued upward pressure.

But the current lack of movement is likely only a temporary reprieve, according to Freddie Mac.

But economists predict upward pressure in the coming months after comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank was ready to raise interest rates in March and didn’t rule out moving at every meeting to tackle the highest inflation in a generation.

However, the shortage of entry-level home listings should result in a competitive spring purchase season, the government-sponsored enterprise said.

Treasury dealers and investors are busy trying to predict exactly when the Federal Reserve might pull the trigger on cutting the size of its balance sheet and how big that drawdown could be when it does.