What this page shows
Money today brings together the figures that move household budgets, each straight from the organization that publishes it: average mortgage rates from Freddie Mac's weekly survey, the 10-year Treasury yield and the federal funds rate from the Federal Reserve's data, inflation and unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, gasoline, diesel, oil and natural gas prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the federal debt from the Treasury, gold and silver spot prices and daily reference exchange rates. Each figure shows the date it refers to, so you can see how fresh it is.
How often it changes
The page is rebuilt twice a day with the latest published data, but each source has its own schedule: Freddie Mac publishes mortgage rates once a week, the EIA updates retail gas prices weekly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases inflation and jobs figures once a month, and Treasury yields and exchange rates change on business days. When a source has not published anything new, the figure and its date stay the same.
How to use the numbers
- Mortgage rates are national averages for borrowers with good credit; your own quote depends on your credit, down payment and lender.
- Inflation is the change in consumer prices over the last 12 months; compare it with your savings rate to see whether your money keeps its value.
- Gas prices are national averages; prices in your state can be well above or below them.
- Exchange rates are reference rates; banks and transfer services usually give you a less favorable rate and may add a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the numbers come from?
From the organizations that publish them: Freddie Mac, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Energy Information Administration and the Treasury, plus published gold and exchange-rate reference data. The sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
Why do some numbers have older dates?
Because they are published weekly or monthly. The date next to each figure is the period it describes.
Is this financial advice?
No. The page reports published figures for general information. Use the linked calculators to see what they mean for your own budget.