In a commencement address on Monday, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen congratulated the graduating class at the University of Baltimore on earning their degrees and told them that they're entering the workforce at an opportune time. Per Yellen, the grads are entering the best job market in nearly a decade following years of a slow economic recovery. During a strong economy, she added, not only are jobs more plentiful, but they tend to pay better. Yellen told the graduates that the degrees they've earned are the ticket to a successful working life, giving them access to higher-paying opportunities and providing them with higher job satisfaction over their careers. Yellen stated that college graduates' annual earnings are, on average, 70% higher than those who only hold a high school diploma -- an increase of 50% since 1980. The chairwoman went on to say that all signs point to a healthy job market, including consistent job creation, more job openings, and a ...

If you have the means to buy a new home and are in the market for one, now's the perfect time to do it. Why? The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped this week from 3.72% to 3.65%, its lowest point in 10 months. This makes six consecutive weeks that mortgage rates have dropped. Despite the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates at the end of last year, mortgage rates have continued to slip. Volatility in financial markets fueled by concerns of a global economic slowdown and the falling price of oil have made investors gravitate towards U.S. Treasuries, which has kept rates low for prospective home buyers. Though it was speculated that the rate hike could come in March, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said market conditions have become less conducive to growth, which could point to a delay in the Fed's plans to raise the federal funds rate. The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage also fell to 2.95%, down from 3.01% the previous week....