The Federal Reserve has stayed the course, stalling rate cuts as they wait to see the impact of President Donald Trump’s Tariffs. Vivian Gueler, CFO of Pacific Trust Group, spoke about mortgage rate expectations for the coming year.

The U.S. Federal Reserve's independence is under threat from mounting political interference, according to a clear majority of economists polled by Reuters, although no one expects a July interest rate cut despite a recent divergence in views among policymakers.

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged on Thursday after cutting eight times in a year, biding its time while Brussels and Washington negotiate over trade. Its main policy rate is currently at 2% down from 4% a year ago, and inflation is back at the ECB's 2% goal.