WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages eased slightly this week, remaining
near historically low levels.Mortgagebuyer Freddie Mac says the rate on the 30-year loan declined to
4.42percent from 4.46 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixedloan dipped to 3.43 percent
from 3.47 percent.Mortgage ratespeaked at 4.6 percent in August and have stabilized since September,when
the Federal Reserve surprised markets by taking no action. The Fedmeets next week and could slow the
bond purchases if the economy showsfurther improvement.The bond purchases are designed to keep long-term
rates low.Agovernment report issued Thursday signaled growing consumer confidencein the economy at the
start of the holiday shopping season, as Novemberretail sales marked the biggest gain in five
months.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.WASHINGTON (AP) — Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages eased
slightly this week, remaining near historically low levels.Mortgagebuyer Freddie Mac says the rate on
the 30-year loan declined to 4.42percent from 4.46 percent last week. The average on the 15-year
fixedloan dipped to 3.43 percent from 3.47 percent.Mortgage ratespeaked at 4.6 percent in August and
have stabilized since September,when the Federal Reserve surprised markets by taking no action. The
Fedmeets next week and could slow the bond purchases if the economy showsfurther improvement.The bond
purchases are designed to keep long-term rates low.Agovernment report issued Thursday signaled growing
consumer confidencein the economy at the start of the holiday shopping season, as Novemberretail sales
marked the biggest gain in five months.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.