Federal Reserve Closer to Providing More Stimulus?

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Federal Reserve may be getting ready to pounce. 

Published reports say top officials are moving closer to taking new steps to boost economic growth.  This may include expanding the Fed's holdings of mortgage-backed securities, according to The New York Times.

A new round of quantitative easing -- the first since 2010 -- is expected to be discussed when the Fed’s policy-making committee meets next week.  Both the Times and Wall Street Journal say some members want immediate action, while others favor delaying the decision at least until September.

Interest rates are already at record lows.  The 10-year Treasury note, a benchmark for fixed rate mortgages, is now at 1.4 percent.

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