You might not be impressed by a stock with a 2% dividend yield as long-term interest rates have been rising quickly in the bond market. But a screen of the S&P 500 shows that companies that have raised their payouts the most have tended to be strong overall performers for long-term investors.
Wednesday afternoon, 10-year U.S. Treasury notes BX:TMUBMUSD10Y were yielding 4.96%, up from 4.47% at the end of June and from 4.17% at the end of last year. Investors has been selling off bonds (which drives up market yields) in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday to raise its target range for the federal-funds rate.
What happens if you never buy a house? What renters are gaining — and giving up.
The smartest money moves to make now that interest rates are going up
Read: The Fed could raise interest rates three times. Here's where the market could face the stiffest test.

#investors #federal

In some markets, it costs less to rent than to buy — by a lot. And it could be a great way to save a ton of money during your retirement years.
Mortgage and financial consultant Cody Schuiteboer of Best Interest Financial said many retirees never even consider renting as a serious option.
"There is an unshakeable mentality that buying is always the right choice, but the opposite is often true in retirement," he said. "If renting is actually cheaper in that market, renting lets retirees stretch their nest egg further."
MoneyLion ran the rent-versus-ownership numbers in the top retirement destinations along the East Coast and found the cities offering the greatest savings to renters. The homeownership numbers ****** umed a 10% down payment and a 6.53% interest rate, using average home price and rent numbers from Zillow.
Best of all, the following retirement hubs all have a total monthly expenditure cost under $4,000 according to BLS data, and adults over 65 make up at least 20% of the population.

#rent

Kamel told Julian to pay off his $9,700 car loan, build a $30,000 emergency fund, and cap housing payments at 25% of take-home pay.
At a 5.98% 15-year fixed rate and record home prices, Julian's $85,000 salary supports only about $1,400 monthly, which is too little for a duplex.
The 15-year mortgage rate is Julian's biggest obstacle, and a drop back toward February's 5.35% low would unlock more buying power than more saving would.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
"All of a sudden you're a bajillionaire" is how the Ramsey Show hosts mocked the pitch a 23-year-old caller named Julian brought them: buy a duplex or triplex as a first home, let tenants cover the mortgage, and skip straight to landlord wealth. Julian said he had about $70,000 in cash, earned about $85,000 a year, still owed $9,700 on a 2024 car loan, and wanted to put at least 10% down because his uncle had told him renters would pay the note. Hosts George Kamel and Jade Warshaw took the call in Dave Ramsey's absence.

#julian #year #home

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For many renters, their monthly rent payment is the biggest recurring expense. If you have a rewards credit card or are struggling to keep up with your basic needs, you may wonder if you can use your credit card to pay your landlord.
While it's technically possible to pay rent with a credit card, it's important to understand the potential pitfalls and the right way to do it. Here's what you need to know.
Yes, it's possible to pay rent with a credit card. You may have a few different options, depending on your situation.
Some landlords and property managers use a payment system that allows tenants to pay with a credit card. Unfortunately, many of these services charge a convenience fee, which typically ranges from 2% to 3% of the payment amount but can be higher.

#card #possible

Listen and subscribe to Power Players with Brian Sozzi on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
With roots dating back to 1868, Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) faces a future that hinges on getting a nonchalant Gen Z crowd to pay to fertilize their lawns, just like their proud green-lawn-owning parents.
New CEO Nate Baxter realizes the hill to climb is steep and chock-full of roadblocks, such as more people buying Astroturf for lawns or putting stones where grass once lived — and needing water to do so.
"So our core consumer that has been with us for decades. They're homeowners or renters who care about their lawn. They are dedicated. And they care about weeds — they don't want them. They want the perfect lawn story," Baxter said in a new episode of the Power Players with Brian Sozzi podcast (watch above; listen in below). "What we are seeing with the next generation of consumer is a real interest in going natural. They don't mind an occasional dandelion in their lawn."
Baxter said Scotts has released new fertilizer in recyclable paper bags and all-natural lawn food to cater to this finicky crowd. He promises a push into products that could help people connect with the health of their lawn's soil.

#players #scotts #listen #crowd

Listen and subscribe to Power Players with Brian Sozzi on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
With roots dating back to 1868, Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) faces a future that hinges on getting a nonchalant Gen Z crowd to pay to fertilize their lawns, just like their proud green-lawn-owning parents.
New CEO Nate Baxter realizes the hill to climb is steep and chock-full of roadblocks, such as more people buying Astroturf for lawns or putting stones where grass once lived — and needing water to do so.
"So our core consumer that has been with us for decades. They're homeowners or renters who care about their lawn. They are dedicated. And they care about weeds — they don't want them. They want the perfect lawn story," Baxter said in a new episode of the Power Players with Brian Sozzi podcast (watch above; listen in below). "What we are seeing with the next generation of consumer is a real interest in going natural. They don't mind an occasional dandelion in their lawn."
Baxter said Scotts has released new fertilizer in recyclable paper bags and all-natural lawn food to cater to this finicky crowd. He promises a push into products that could help people connect with the health of their lawn's soil.

#crowd

Zillow Group (NASDAQ: ZG) resolved its antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission and five state attorneys general on Monday, heading off a federal trial scheduled to begin this week. The settlement removes an unpredictable legal overhang while leaving Zillow's rentals strategy fully intact.
The agreement keeps Zillow's multifamily distribution partnership with Redfin in place through at least 2030. Listings will continue to syndicate across a combined network that includes Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, Rent.com, ApartmentGuide, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
The network gives property managers a direct alternative to CoStar Group's Apartments.com, which has long commanded the lion's share of institutional multifamily ad dollars. By pooling distribution across Zillow, Redfin, and partner sites, landlords get multi-portal reach through a single contract, while renters see a broader pool of listings on whichever app they open.
Related: Anonymous coder hides Bitcoin puzzle in Satoshi's genesis block
Since syndication launched, multifamily listings on Redfin have nearly quadrupled, while Zillow's own multifamily inventory rose roughly 40%. In the second quarter of 2026, Zillow hit a record 79,000 multifamily properties and averaged 2.8 million monthly active rental listings, pushing quarterly rental revenue up 31% year over year to $209 million, led by a 42% surge in multifamily ad sales, putting pressure on Apartments.com's value proposition and pricing structure.

#federal

Zillow and Redfin have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states, ending a legal fight over a 2025 partnership that the FTC claimed hurt competition in the rental-listing market. The settlement was announced on Monday, just as the case was scheduled to head toward trial this morning.
The case stems from a deal announced last year in which Redfin agreed to display Zillow's rental listings on its websites rather than compete directly with Zillow for rental advertisers. The arrangement could have kept Redfin out of the rental advertising business for as long as nine years. Redfin owns Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com, two major rental-listing platforms.
According to the FTC and attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington, Zillow agreed to pay Redfin $100 million to keep Redfin from competing with Zillow.
The companies defended the partnership as a way to give renters access to a larger pool of listings. The FTC, however, argued that Zillow was paying one of its largest competitors to stop competing, potentially allowing the company to charge higher prices and provide less favorable terms to property managers. It could have also reduced the quality of rental listings available to consumers.
Under the proposed settlement, Redfin will be required to reenter the rental advertising business. The order also removes restrictions that previously limited Redfin's ability to compete independently for property-management customers.

#rental #zillow

By Jody Godoy
Aug 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a group of states settled with Zillow ahead of trial on Monday, ending claims the online real estate ‌platform illegally paid Rocket Companies' Redfin $100 million to stop competing in apartment rental listings.
The FTC ‌and five states were ready to argue at trial scheduled to start Monday that the Zillow-Redfin partnership drove up costs for landlords and decreased listing quality for renters. More than 30% of Americans rent their homes, according to census data.
Under the settlement, Redfin can continue to display Zillow ads on its sites but will resume its rental advertising business within six months, the FTC and states said.
While Democratic state attorneys general have clashed with the Trump ‌administration on other matters, both the ⁠FTC and the states called the settlement a win.

#Monday #trial #godoy

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The Federal Trade Commission announced Monday that it settled anti-trust litigation against Zillow and Redfin alleging that the companies colluded to limit competition in internet listing services for apartment rentals.
An FTC order requires Zillow and Redfin to reverse a 2025 agreement under which Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to close its ILS service, repost apartment listings only provided by Zillow, shift its customers to Zillow and stay out of the ILS market for up to nine years, the commission said.
"This settlement delivers better, quicker, more certain results for both renters and property management companies than we would have been able to achieve after prevailing at trial, including firm and enforceable commitments by Redfin to relaunch its rentals advertising business," Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC's Bureau of Competition, said in a statement.
Under the FTC order, which will be active for 10 years, Zillow and Redfin agreed to remove restrictions on Redfin's ability to sell advertising services and display its own customers' listings, the commission said. Redfin will also be freed from any requirement to provide Zillow with nonpublic or competitively advantageous business information.

#zillow #commission

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain set out plans to spend £10 billion ($13.6 billion) on lower-cost housing for renters with a focus on London, although its target ‌for offering social rent was lower than a pledge made by new ‌Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The government said around 60% of homes delivered through the funding would be for social rent — a subsidised cheaper form of rent that can be built by local councils or housing **** ociations.
That was in line with the proportion set out by the government of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which created the programme, but below Burnham's pledge to deliver ‌all housing under the programme ⁠via local councils.
Burnham, who took over in July, has said empowering local councils to build social housing, as Britain did after World War ⁠Two, could lower the amount of the welfare bill that goes to private landlords, reduce homelessness and provide security to people on lower incomes.
"Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do ‌it again," Burnham said in a statement late on Monday, which included details of the first wave of funding.

#lower #burnham #rent #local

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High mortgage rates and elevated home prices continue to make buying a home a costly proposition for many Americans.
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% to 3.75% at its latest meeting in July, while mortgage rates remain well above the ultra-low levels buyers enjoyed earlier this decade (1). Meanwhile, a Realtor.com ****** ysis found that renting a starter home was cheaper than buying one across all 50 of the largest U.S. metros in March, with renters saving an average of $920 per month (2).
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
JPMorgan sees gold hitting $5,000/oz by Q4 — and savvy investors are protecting their wealth with a tax-advantaged Gold IRA. Get your free guide from Priority Gold

#Gold #mortgage #rates #americans

By Jody Godoy
Aug 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a group of states announced a settlement with Zillow, ending claims the online real ‌estate platform illegally paid Rocket Companies' Redfin $100 million to stop competing in apartment ‌rental listings.
The FTC and five states had argued the Zillow-Redfin partnership drove up costs for landlords and decreased listing quality for renters. More than 30% of Americans rent their homes, according to census data.
The settlement ends the agreement for Redfin to stop competing. Redfin agreed to rebuild its rental advertising business within six months, according to the FTC.
Zillow has denied the arrangement is ‌anticompetitive and said the deal ⁠benefits everyone, as it makes more listings available on more sites.

#states #rental

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Around 42.6% of households have a dog, and around 32.6% have a cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical ***** ociation. Renters insurance usually won't cover those times when your cat shreds your sofa or your dog has vet bills from swallowing a sock. However, renters insurance can help when your pet creates a liability problem. Think dog bites, injuries to visitors, or damage to a neighbor's property.
Here's what renters insurance covers for pets, what it doesn't, and where coverage gaps can pop up.
The part of renters insurance that's most likely to help with pet-related incidents is liability coverage. It can apply if your pet injures someone or damages their property, whether that incident happens at home or in public.
For example, renters insurance may help if:

#renters

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Around 42.6% of households have a dog, and around 32.6% have a cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical **** ociation. Renters insurance usually won't cover those times when your cat shreds your sofa or your dog has vet bills from swallowing a sock. However, renters insurance can help when your pet creates a liability problem. Think dog bites, injuries to visitors, or damage to a neighbor's property.
Here's what renters insurance covers for pets, what it doesn't, and where coverage gaps can pop up.
The part of renters insurance that's most likely to help with pet-related incidents is liability coverage. It can apply if your pet injures someone or damages their property, whether that incident happens at home or in public.
For example, renters insurance may help if:

#Help #around #coverage #advertiser

Contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily need to buy property to become an Airbnb host.
With the "rental arbitrage" method, entrepreneurs can sign long-term leases and sublet them to mid- and short-term renters.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here's where their money is actually going

#dave

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Coming home to find some of your belongings have been stolen can quickly turn an ordinary day into a stressful, emotional, and financially draining experience. Fortunately, renters insurance typically covers theft, helping to replace items stolen from your home, up to your policy limits.
However, not every theft-related incident is covered the same way. Here's a closer look at what renters insurance usually covers and where coverage may fall short.
Most standard renters insurance policies cover your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged, whether the loss occurs inside or outside your home. Covered items can include everything from electronics and furniture to clothing and sentimental keepsakes.
For example, if you return home from a trip and discover that someone has broken into your apartment and stolen your laptop, TV, and jewelry, your renters insurance may help pay to replace those items, up to your policy's coverage limits.

#home #renters

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If there's a fire in your apartment, renters insurance can help replace any damaged items. It may also help pay for smoke-damaged items, temporary hotel stays, and certain expenses if you can't live in your rental while it's being repaired.
The biggest thing to know is that renters insurance covers your stuff, but not the building itself. So your couch, clothes, laptop, mattress, and dishes may fall under your policy, but the walls, floors, roof, and built-in appliances likely fall under your landlord's insurance.
Depending on your policy, fire damage may trigger several different parts of your renters insurance coverage at the same time.
Personal property coverage helps pay to repair or replace any items you own that were damaged as a result of a covered fire.

#insurance #policy #coverage

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When you move into your first college dorm or apartment, you may bring along a laptop, bike, phone, clothes, textbooks, and maybe even furniture with you. But whether you need renters insurance for college depends on where you live, whether you're already covered under a parent's policy, and how much it would cost to replace your stuff.
If you're living in an on-campus dorm or fraternity or sorority house, you may already have some coverage under a parent's homeowners or renters insurance policy.
If you're renting an apartment or house off campus, you're more likely to need your own renters insurance policy. In fact, some landlords require it before you can move in.
Even when it's optional, renters insurance can be worth it. Burglaries account for about 28% of reported on-campus crimes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. If your laptop, phone, bike, clothes, and textbooks get stolen or damaged, replacing everything out of pocket would be pricey.

#you 're #move #dorm

Updated July 23, 2026 4:56 pm ET
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1010 ET – Fewer apartments are sitting empty, rents are climbing, and yet the deals keep coming, Zillow says. The typical U.S. asking rent rose to $1,965, up 2.2% compared to a year ago, and nearly 2 in 5 rental listings came with a concession attached. A concession is a move-in discount, commonly a free month’s rent, waived fees or free parking. For renters who land a freebie, the real cost of renting can be softer than the asking price suggests. The 2.2% annual rent growth in June is a slight acceleration from the previous month. Yet the increase in concessions-39.7% of rental listings on Zillow offered one in June, up from 35.2% a year ago—softens the blow for renters. The backdrop is a rental market that has added significant new inventory over the past few years, giving renters more choices.(chris.wackwsj.com)

#concession

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani swept into office promising to tackle one of the city's most punishing problems: the cost of keeping a roof over your head.
But six months into his administration, renters looking for a new apartment are facing an even tougher market.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
JPMorgan still sees gold hitting $5,000/oz by Q4 — and savvy investors are protecting their wealth with a tax-advantaged Gold IRA. Learn more with a free guide from Priority Gold

The New York ******* ans played their first home game at the Polo Grounds on Sept. 11, 1960; they played on the field as renters, not owners. After a name change and 66 years as a franchise, the Jets still have the same problem: they are effectively homeless.
The New York Jets have played in four different stadiums in their franchise history. The Jets moved to the Mets’ Shea Stadium after a four-season stint at the Polo Grounds. The Jets and Mets shared the stadium from 1964-1983. New York was forced to move to New Jersey after failing to secure stadium funding. The Jets and Giants began their stint as stadium roommates in 1984 and have been sharing since.
Gang Green’s undergone plenty of change throughout franchise history, but one constant has remained — the Jets do not have a home they can call their own. If the Jets ever hope to be talked about with franchises like the Packers and the Steelers, they must find their own stadium.
If the Jets are to move, where should they go?
The Jets were born in Queens, moved to New Jersey, and had a failed move to Manhattan. The franchise has ties to the city, but the boroughs are not an option.

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It isn't easy being a first-time home buyer. Purchasing a house in 2026 takes a series of savvy financial moves, and you'll need a mortgage lender who can be a true partner in the process. Here are the best mortgage lenders to provide you with first-time buyer grants, loans, and more.
Why Rocket Mortgage stands out: Rocket helps renters make the leap to homeownership with a grant equal to a portion of rent paid.
Availability: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Loans for first-time buyers: Conventional, FHA, and VA loans

Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) is one of the 12 Most Profitable S&P 500 Stocks to Invest In.
On June 24, 2026, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Ivan Capifali, and Corporation Counsel Mary B. Richardson-Lowry announced that the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), Airbnb Living, LLC, and Slumber Stay LLC. Slumber Stay was described as one of Airbnb's most active hosts in Chicago. The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, alleges repeated violations of the City's Shared Housing Ordinance and other consumer protection laws. It also alleges that the defendants profited from unlawful short-term rental activity while evading requirements meant to protect short-term renters, preserve residential quality of life, and maintain affordable housing supply. Johnson said the City is focused on building a "safer, more affordable Chicago," while ensuring the industry operates fairly and safely.
On June 12, Truist raised its price target on Airbnb to $134 from $129 and maintained a Hold rating as part of a broader Q2 preview for Online Travel and Leisure Facilities names. Truist said the revenue and spending backdrop looked generally encouraging for U.S. mass-market leisure travel and Orlando from Q2 through Q4, with the backdrop becoming stronger higher up the "K" in the bifurcated economy.
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
Also on June 12, Mizuho reiterated an Outperform rating on Airbnb following industry checks. Mizuho said investors continue to underappreciate the likely acceleration from hotels and the broader cultural shift underway at Airbnb. The firm came away from its checks "more bullish than ever," saying hotels are eager to work with Airbnb, connectivity friction is improving, and the "cultural shift necessary for Hotel to become big is happening." Airbnb remains a top pick at Mizuho.

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Bilt is known as a credit card for renters, but its latest launch makes homeowners eligible for rewards on mortgage payments, too.
With Bilt 2.0, Bilt has launched three new rewards credit cards with varying annual fees, benefits, and rewards rates. Plus, new Bilt cardholders get an introductory 10.00% APR on new purchases for 12 billing cycles after account opening (see rates & fees).
But there are also some major changes to the program, including how you earn rewards on rent and mortgage payments. Here's what you need to know to decide if a Bilt 2.0 credit card is right for you.
Before this update, earning rewards on rent with the old Bilt Mastercard (no longer available) was relatively straightforward. You could earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent payments with no added transaction fee as long as you made at least five transactions in a statement period with your card.

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Having your belongings stolen or being liable for the medical bills of someone taking a spill on your property doesn't have to be a financial disaster. With renters insurance, the right policy can cover you in these and other situations.
But with so many providers to choose from, how do you narrow your choices?
We've evaluated top renters insurance companies to provide you with a curated list of insurers that scored best on our comprehensive rubric. Consider the seven best renters insurance providers of 2026 to find a policy that aligns with your specific needs.
Read more: What is renters insurance? A complete guide.

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is one of the most undervalued NYSE stocks to invest in. On June 17, the Progressive Corporation reported strong financial results for May, with net income rising to $1.445 billion, a 36% increase compared to the same period last year. Net premiums written grew 6% to $7.027 billion, while net premiums earned increased 10% to $7.361 billion.
The company also saw an improvement in underwriting profitability, with the combined ratio narrowing by 4.8 points to 82.1. These results were supported by growth in customer base, as total policies in force reached ~39.97 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, driven by gains across both personal and commercial lines.
As a leader in the US insurance market, the Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) continues to provide diverse protection products ranging from personal auto and home insurance to commercial offerings. The company maintains its focus on accessibility through its omnichannel distribution model, including online, mobile, phone, and agent-assisted platforms.
The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is an insurance company operating across the US. The company provides insurance for personal vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, RVs, and watercraft. Additionally, it also offers homeowners' and renters' insurance for personal residential properties.
While we acknowledge the potential of PGR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

It hasn’t been easy to be a renter in the last five years. Rental prices surged in the aftermath of the pandemic, outstripping wage growth. But recently, renters have notched a small win: In much of the country, rents are falling.
Median monthly rent on units with up to two bedrooms fell 1.7% year-over-year in October to $1,696, according to Realtor.com. They’re now down about 3.6% from their 2022 peak.
Those lower prices are a win for many renters, and in some cases, they’re an incentive to keep renting for longer. While rents are falling, the cost of homeownership has continued to climb. M