Operation Twist, the Federal Reserve program intended to put push down longer-term interest rates, will continue past its original June 30 end date through the end of the year. The program aims to lower the cost of borrowing for businesses, auto purchases, consumer debt — and mortgages.

Formally known as the Maturity Extension Program, the program began last October. It shifts around Federal Reserve assets rather than pumping money into the economy, as did QEI and QEII — the earlier quantitative easing programs under which the Federal Reserve purchased $2 trillion in Treasury debt.