Economists are projecting mortgage rates will ease modestly by the end of this year. But a small decline in rates may not be enough to entice home shoppers and persuade homeowners it’s a good time to sell.
Business
Local, state and national business news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World, News
Fed chair Jerome Powell not prepared ‘yet’ to say he’s confident about inflation
The Fed chair has avoided giving any strong signals on the timing of interest rate cuts, though he has emphasized policymakers face risks from both moving too quickly or too slowly to take action.
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Posted inBusiness
Investors spot opportunities in distressed U.S. commercial property market
About 64% of the $400 billion the industry has set aside for property investment is targeted at North America, the highest share in 2 decades, according to data compiled by Preqin.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Invasive fruit flies that wreak havoc on small, soft fruits found in Androscoggin County
A Livermore Falls farm had to cut strawberry season short mostly due to spoilage caused by the pests.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Maine joins 9 other states to promote regional planning to boost clean energy
Cooperation between the Northeast states could help improve the region’s transmission system as more electric vehicles, building heat pumps, data centers and artificial intelligence gain ground.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Nearly 300 people weigh in on paid family leave rules for new Maine program
The state has not yet published any findings or comments because it is still reviewing feedback on the program that will give workers up to 12 weeks of paid time off starting in May 2026.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World, News
Fed’s Powell highlights slowing job market in signal that rate cuts may be nearing
Chair Jerome Powell’s written testimony Tuesday marked a shift in emphasis away from the Fed’s single-minded fight against inflation that suggests it’s moving closer to cutting interest rates.
Posted inBusiness
‘This is break glass in case of emergency stuff’: Analysts alarmed by threats to U.S. data gathering
They warn that funding for the federal statistical agencies is inadequate and measures in a House appropriations bill could undermine what Americans know about themselves.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
FTC report slams pharmacy benefit managers, says firms inflate drug costs, squeeze competitors
An interim FTC report released Tuesday details the market influence of companies known as PBMs.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
Target will stop accepting personal checks next week. Are the days of writing a check numbered?
The chain cited ‘extremely low volumes’ of customers who still write checks.