U.S. fixed mortgage rates rise but hover near lows

NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. fixed mortgage rates crept higher in the past week, but hovered near all-time lows and more than a percentage point below rates a year ago, Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

The average 30-year mortgage rate climbed 0.02 percentage point in the week ended May 14 to 4.86 percent, slightly above the record low 4.78 percent reached twice in the past two months.

A year ago, the rate stood at 6.01 percent.

Freddie Mac (FRE.N) (FRE.P), the second largest U.S. home funding company, has been tracking the 30-year loan rate weekly since 1971.

To see other rates during the week, click on [ID:nWBT011239]. (Reporting by Lynn Adler; Editing by James Dalgleish)