The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.55% on Thursday, its highest since late August 2025 and up from 6.49% a week earlier, Freddie Mac said. Rates rose for a second straight week as U.S. Treasury yields climbed after a temporary U.S.-Iran peace accord broke down, reviving Middle East tensions and inflation concerns.

A PENTAGON internal assessment reported July 15 says actual U.S. spending on military operations against Iran could be as high as $100bn, well above the roughly $30bn the U.S. government has disclosed. The gap is attributed to undisclosed operational expenses, losses of advanced aircraft and significant damage to U.S. military facilities in the Middle East. Senator Angus King said the public is very disappointed by the lack of transparency and highlighted follow-on consumer costs, including higher gasoline prices.

China A-share lithium-battery names rebounded; Huasheng Lithium rose over 10%. Furi Co. earlier hit the daily trading limit; Fuxiang, Binhai Energy, Lingpai Technology, Zhuhai Guanyu and Haike Xinyuan also advanced.