Rates rose in the past week. Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending December 2, 30-year fixed rates averaged 4.46%, up from 4.40% the previous week. The average for 15-year fixed was also rose to 3.81%. Adjustables increased as well with the average for one-year adjustables rising to 3.25% and five-year adjustables increasing to 3.49%. A year ago 30-year fixed rates were at 4.71%. Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac, "Rates on home loans followed bond yields higher this week as recently released economic data suggest the economy may be stronger this quarter than the previous. Regional manufacturing indexes for Dallas, Chicago and Milwaukee all rose in November. In addition, the Federal Reserve noted that 10 of its 12 regions saw improvement through mid-November in its December 1st regional economic review.