November bump: U.S. factory orders jumped 2.7% in November to $621.6 billion, far outpacing expectations and signaling stronger demand in the manufacturing sector. Up again: The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged up for the second week in a row, but remains just above its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.1% from 6.09% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Nominee announcement: President Donald Trump says he will announce his nominee for Federal Reserve chair next week, signaling renewed pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates. Trump says rates should be two to three percentage points lower, even as his pick could face a difficult Senate confirmation process amid ongoing scrutiny of the Fed.