Mortgage demand stalls after mini refinance boom

After a massive 58% weekly surge in refinance demand the week before, mortgage demand stalled again last week, even though interest rates fell further. Total application volume rose 0.6% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming…

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Powell says slowing labor market prompted rate cut, sees ‘challenging situation’ ahead

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference, following the issuance of the Federal Open Market Committee’s statement on interest rate policy, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 17, 2025. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that weakness in the labor market is outweighing concerns about stubborn inflation,…

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Fans to welcome TV host back

Gregg Donovan and Dandidi or “Hollywood Harlequin” display signs at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is recorded to celebrate the show’s return on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on Sept 23, 2025. Gabriel Cortes | CNBC “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returns to air Tuesday night, roughly one week after the…

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Startups and founders could be hardest hit by $100,000 H-1B visas

U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to place $100,000 fees on H-1B visa applications will disproportionately harm America’s startup space, founders and venture capitalists told CNBC this week. H-1B visas — which allow companies to temporarily hire foreign workers in skilled occupations such as IT, healthcare and engineering — were already difficult to secure for U.S. startups,…

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