Mortgage Rates Reach 6.95%; a $400,000 Loan Costs $51 More Than Last Week
U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates rose to 6.95% in the week ended Sept. 17, the highest since January 2025, increasing monthly payments on a $400,000 loan by $51. The Fed raised its target range to 3.75%-4.00%, but mortgage rates are more tied to Treasury yields. Housing-sensitive stocks like Rocket Companies and D.R. Horton fell. Builders are using incentives to maintain demand.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
Rising rates increase monthly payments, tightening housing affordability and pressuring homebuilder equities.
Market read
Mortgage rate uptick signals higher borrowing costs, likely dampening home sales and affecting construction and mortgage‑related stocks.
What to watch
Builder incentives and rate buydowns may mitigate some demand erosion despite higher headline rates.
Background
Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage survey shows rates climbing to 6.95%, the highest since Jan 2025, following a Fed rate hike.
Ticker impact
Rocket Companies fell 2.2% as higher mortgage rates pressured housing-sensitive stocks.
Bearish pressure on RCKT over the next few days.
Rate increase adds cost to borrowers, reducing demand for new homes and hurting Rocket's loan portfolio.
D.R. Horton dropped 1.7% amid rising mortgage rates and weaker affordability.
Bearish outlook for DHI in the short term.
Higher financing costs suppress homebuyer activity, directly impacting D.R. Horton's sales.
Market effects
Higher mortgage rates weigh on homebuilders and mortgage lenders, potentially broadening to construction and real estate sectors.
U.S. housing market faces increased affordability pressure; limited immediate effect on other regions.
U.S. rate movements can influence global bond yields and risk sentiment, but primary impact is domestic housing.
Counterpoint
If Treasury yields retreat, mortgage rates could fall quickly, offering a bounce for housing stocks.
Key entities
- AgencyFreddie Mac
Provides the weekly mortgage rate survey.
- RegulatorFederal Reserve
Raised the overnight target range, influencing longer-term yields.

