Author: Jordan

The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.259%, an increase of less than 1 basis point from the day before, according to data from mortgage data company Optimal Blue. Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.593%, down about 2.7 basis points for the same period. Compare mortgage rates for April 29, 2026 Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes. Mortgage TypeRateRate A Week BeforeApproximate Basis Points Change30-year conventional6.259%6.218%+415-year conventional5.593%5.450%+1430-year jumbo6.470%6.538%-6.830-year FHA6.056%6.014%+430-year VA5.888%5.819%+730-year USDA5.919%5.845%+730-year conventionalRate6.259%Rate A Week Before6.218%Approximate Basis Points Change+415-year conventionalRate5.593%Rate A Week Before5.450%Approximate Basis…

“Returns over the next few years are likely to be steady rather than spectacular, driven primarily by cashflow rather than capital appreciation. Success will depend less on rising values and more on underwriting discipline, asset quality and execution”- Joe Freedman – ASK Partners UK real estate has entered a different phase of the cycle. After two years of higher interest rates, persistent inflation and geopolitical instability, the era of easy gains driven by cheap debt and yield compression is over. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, including rising tensions involving Iran, have added renewed volatility to global…

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7:03 AM, 29th April 2026, 10 minutes ago A critical imbalance is becoming visible within the private rented sector, and it is not just about how many landlords are leaving, but how few are replacing them. According to the Property118 Landlord Sentiment Survey Q1 2026, the rate at which landlords are reducing or exiting portfolios is not being matched by new or expanding investors. Based on 2,380 completed responses, 57% of landlords plan to reduce their portfolios, while only 6.8% intend to expand. You can review the full findings here. The headline is clear: exits are not being replaced. An imbalance…

RBI Tightens Lending Rules; Bank Stocks Brace for Impact RBI Cracks Down on Unsecured Loans, Banking Stocks Under Pressure: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened rules on loans. It wants banks to be more careful, especially with unsecured loans. Banks will now set aside money based on expected credit losses (ECL). Home and gold loans will need at least 1.5% provisioning. This may reduce bank profits in the short term. The new rules will start from April 1, 2027: RBI has introduced a three-stage system. Stage 1 covers 12-month expected losses, while Stages…

The big development in oil markets yesterday was news that the UAE is set to leave OPEC from 1 May. This is a significant move and will be a big blow to OPEC. It’s the highest-profile exit from OPEC in recent years. Prior to the Iran war, the UAE was pumping 3.4m b/d of crude oil (February 2026), making up around 12% of total OPEC output and the third-largest producer within the group. The UAE’s departure will reduce OPEC’s effectiveness in managing and influencing the global oil market through supply measures. The UAE’s exit will increase output, with current production…

Virgin Money has pulled all buy-to-let new business deals as of Tuesday 28 April, removing its full range of fixed rate options across multiple fee structures. The lender confirmed that fixed rates with a 3% fee, £2,195 fee, 1% fee and £995 fee have all been withdrawn. Fixed rate fee-saver products have also been removed from the new business range. The move comes amid continued volatility in swap rates and wider mortgage pricing, with lenders across the market frequently repricing or temporarily withdrawing products in response to changing funding costs. PRODUCT TRANSFERS REMAIN IN PLACE Virgin Money confirmed that its…

Special Report: The scale of Terra Metals’ potentially game-changing Southwest platinum group metals discovery at its Dante project in WA continues to grow with a new drill hole linking what was thought to be two separate zones.Infill sampling links 172m zone of high-grade platinum group metals mineralisation at Terra’s Southwest discovery Mineralisation expected to continue along strike and at depth Continues to shape as major Australian nickel-copper-PGE discoveryAnd it includes a section running at an ounce to the tonne of 3E PGEs, the high value precious metals platinum, palladium and gold.Infill sampling between Terra’s (ASX:TM1) discovery holes SWRC031 and SWDD006,…

People often think investment philosophy comes from textbooks, models, or complex theories. In my experience, it doesn’t. It comes from life. Research in behavioural finance supports this. The way individuals manage money is strongly influenced by their personal background, especially their early experiences with financial security or loss. People who have lived through financial hardship tend to be more cautious. They focus more on protecting capital and are less likely to take speculative risks. Family environment also plays an important role. How money is treated at home shapes how it is treated later in life. These influences are not temporary.…

FIFA has tweaked World Cup rules on yellow cards to ensure fewer players are suspended for key elimination games.An extra amnesty for yellow cards — wiping player disciplinary records twice during the expanded tournament in North America — was proposed to a meeting Tuesday of FIFA’s ruling council. Later FIFA issued a statement confirming the change.“Reflective of the expanded format with an extra knockout round, the FIFA Council confirmed an amendment to the regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 whereby single yellow cards in the final competition will be canceled after the group stage and then again after the…