Prospective homeowners are rushing to lock in mortgage rates before they climb any further, and many are locking for longer than they did a year ago.
The rise in rates is fueling anxiety among borrowers who fear they could miss their chance at homeownership if rates move any higher. Locks are a common feature of mortgages-to protect a borrower's rate during the home-buying process-but they can vary in their fees, their conditions and the amount of time they cover.
Below, some of the best analysis and insight from WSJ writers and columnists, the Dow Jones Newswires team and occasionally beyond, on investing, the wealth-management business and more.
Planning & Investing
Affluent and Older Americans Got Much Richer in Postpandemic Years
The typical American family got a little wealthier in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic, while well-off and older Americans got much richer.
Market Talk
From Dow Jones Newswires
A Fed survey on consumer finances finds that borrowers may be falling behind on loans or spending a larger share of their income on debt payments. The median debt payment-to-income ratio was 15.4 percent, up 2.0 percentage points from 2022, the survey says. The Fed suggests this may relate to the concurrent increase in interest rates for mortgages and consumer loans. Families with particularly high debt payment obligations relative to their incomes increased from 6.5 to 8.6 percent, a level last seen in the 2013 survey. In addition, between the 2022 and 2025 surveys, the share of families that reported being behind on loan payments sharply increased from about 12 percent to nearly 20 percent. (Jessica Coacci, jessica.coacci@wsj.com)
The slump in Canada's labor market in September reduces the likelihood of a Bank of Canada rate increase late this month, but doesn't erase it, Oxford Economics' Tony Stillo argues. He continues to expect sustained inflation risk from higher gasoline prices will prompt the central bank to lift its policy rate a quarter percentage point in October and in December. But rather than starting a new tightening cycle Stillo expects the Bank of Canada will aim to swiftly return the policy rate to a neutral level as a pre-emptive move to ensure the spike in oil prices doesn't cause sustained higher inflation. (Robb Stewart, robb.stewart@wsj.com)
Barron's Advisor
Interest Rates Are Surging. Portfolio Moves to Make Now
Investors shouldn't abandon bonds, but instead focus on those with shorter maturities.
The Case for Investing in Real Estate Now-Even With Rising Interest Rates
Low valuations and strong fundamentals in subsectors like senior housing and data centers argue for a selective approach.
Business & Practice
American Oil Refiners Are Printing Money as Wars Shrink Global Energy Supplies
The earnings of America's largest oil refiners are set to go gangbusters in the third quarter, spurred on by the conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine that have sent the world scrambling for fuel.
Impact Investing
Personal AI Agents Are Great-Until They Share Your Bank Statement in the Work Chat
These hyperactive helpers can sometimes overshare, overpromise and overpurchase.
Talking Points
A Soccer Cheating Scandal Has Ballooned Into a Geopolitical Problem for Britain
As Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City braces for punishment, ties with the U.K. government have turned into a headache for Andy Burnham.
Travel & Lifestyle
'Superagers' Are Living-and Thriving-Long Past 80. Could I Be One of Them?
Our columnist took part in a longevity fitness challenge to find out how well he's aging and learn how people are turning back the clock.
Beyond the Newsroom
WSJ | Buy Side: Should You Upgrade to the New Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4?