Average 30-year mortgage rates rose to 4.45 percent

WASHINGTON — Long-term U.S. mortgage rates are ticking up slightly this week, the 10th increase in the past 11 weeks.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 4.45 percent from 4.44 percent last week. Rates are relatively low by historical standards, but they've shot up from an average that remained below 4 percent last year. The benchmark rate averaged 4.23 percent a year ago.

The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans rose to 3.91 percent from 3.90 percent last week.