Bessent Keeps Running Tally Of China As "Unreliable Global Partner" - Count Now Stands At Three

US Mortgage Debt Hits $13.2 Trillion, Average Household Owes Nearly $109,000 Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times, America’s mortgage debt continues to escalate, hitting the $13.2 trillion mark, according to an April 30 WalletHub report. The personal finance website and app indicated that the average U.S. household owes nearly $109,000 in outstanding mortgage balances and that mortgage debt has remained on an upward trend over the past few years. “Mortgage rates are the highest they’ve been in around a decade, and home prices have seen a meteoric rise in recent years...

WTI Steady After Biggest Cushing Crude Build In 3 Years; Imports From Venezuela Highest Since 2019 Oil prices remain lower this morning, following the US proposal for a ceasefire with Iran, but off the lows following Iran's rejection. “From the Iranian perspective, Trump’s actions this week have demonstrated that the US can be pressured when Iran threatens further escalation,” said Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, chief analyst at A/S Global Risk Management. Futures had already pared losses as Tehran fired a new wave of missiles at Israel, and signaled little willingness to compromise. Iran’s...

Microsoft Freezes Hiring In Cloud And Sales As Stock Suffers Worst Start To Year On Record Microsoft shares were trading lower Thursday afternoon, leaving the stock deeper in bear-market territory and down about 24% on the year. Seasonal data suggests it is the worst start to a year for Microsoft on record.  A new report from The Information says Microsoft executives have instructed managers across major divisions, including Azure cloud and North American sales, to freeze hiring as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and boost margins ahead of...