Long-term mortgage rates in the U.S. hit highest levels since 2014

In this Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, photo, a "for sale" sign is seen outside Glenview, Ill. (AP / Nam Y. Huh)

WASHINGTON -- Long-term U.S. mortgage rates climbed again this week, hitting the highest levels since early 2014.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac on Thursday reported the rate on 30-year fixed-rate loans jumped to an average 4.30 per cent from 4.16 per cent last week and the highest since April 2014. The average for a 15-year mortgage rose to 3.52 per cent from 3.37 per cent last week and highest since January 2014.

Rates have surged since the Nov. 8 election of Donald Trump. Investors have bid rates higher because they believe the president-elect's plans for tax cuts and higher infrastructure spending will drive economic growth and inflation.

And last week, the Federal Reserve, citing improvement in the U.S. economy, raised short-term U.S. interest rates for only the second time in a decade.