After a September half-point cut, the reduction would bring the benchmark federal funds rate down three-quarters of a point from its 23-year high.

Mortgage rates on a 30-year home loan have fluctuated throughout the year, reaching a peak of 7.22 percent in May. In late September, the average rate dipped to 6.08 percent, the lowest level in two years, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. But mortgage rates have since crept higher until this week.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged lower this week, ending a six-week climb. The rate slipped to 6.78% from 6.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s still down from a year ago,