Office Depot, Officemax Agree To Merge

By ALEX VEIGA The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U. S. ticked up this week to slightly above 7%, the highest level in eight months. Related Articles Business | For the first time in a while, Telluride Bluegrass Festival still has tickets available Business | Trump adviser says president-elect is exploring options to “preserve” TikTok Business | NASA’s stuck astronaut steps out on a spacewalk after 7 months in orbit Business | Johnson’s Corner, famous for its cinnamon rolls, closing doors as it prepares for next chapter Business | Buc-ee’s proposal for second Colorado store near Palmer Lake sparks community pushback, lawsuit The rate rose to 7.04% from 6.93% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BIThere's been talk that 2025 will be the year of the altcoin, but JPMorgan isn't convinced. The apex token has dominated the crypto fund space and is developing competitive use cases. Bitcoin is also a clear beneficiary of governments' crypto plans, JPMorgan argues. Bullishness is high in the cryptocurrency market and investors see tailwinds developing for the wider space beyond just bitcoin.

AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, FileIsrael and Hamas appear close to a cease-fire deal to end 15 months of fighting in Gaza. The conflict has left Hamas battered, with thousands of its militants killed. But for Israel, an end to the conflict doesn't mean an end to its Hamas problem. Israel and Hamas appear close to a cease-fire deal to end more than 15 months of devastating fighting in Gaza, though it's facing something of a last-minute crisis.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. Chip Somodevilla via Getty ImagesTikTok CEO Shou Chew is planning to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. TikTok may go dark in the US the day before the inauguration, as dictated by a divest-or-ban law. Trump asked the Supreme Court to give TikTok more time as he seeks a political resolution.

Investors should shift toward smaller firms, according to UBS. Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61Large caps have consistently led small- and mid-sized companies in recent years. But smaller firms have fared well lately, despite expectations for higher interest rates. UBS shared 40 top small- and mid-cap stocks to buy now. A forgettable multi-year stretch for smaller stocks could end in 2025, researchers at UBS say — even though key risks are looming over the cohort.