WASHINGTON – Mortgage rates fell this week, with 30-year rates dropping to the lowest level in six weeks as investors became less worried that the Federal Reserve would soon tighten credit policy to stall inflation.

Mortgage company Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.26 percent this week.

That was down from 6.37 percent last week. It marked only the second weekly decline in the past eight weeks and left the 30-year rate at the lowest point since it averaged 6.09 percent the week of June 5.

Analysts attributed the decline in part to comments made this week by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. He indicated in his mid-year economic report to Congress that the central bank was poised between concerns about rising inflation pressures and the weakening economy.

Many analysts viewed Bernanke’s comments as a signal that the central bank will delay tightening interest rates to give the fragile economy and the beleaguered banking system time to recover. The Fed is hoping that the sluggish economy will help dampen inflation on its own.

“Mortgage rates fell this week amid market speculation that the Federal Reserve may not raise the overnight bank lending rate this year after all,” said Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac.