News Corp - NWSA STOCK NEWS

News Corp (NWS) has announced it will release its third quarter Fiscal 2025 financial results on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The company will host a live audio webcast at 5:00 p.m. EDT (Sydney: May 9, at 7:00 a.m. AEST), featuring Chief Executive Robert Thomson and Chief Financial Officer Lavanya Chandrashekar discussing the quarterly performance.

Investors and interested parties can access the webcast through a registration link, and the earnings release will be available on the company's investor relations website prior to the call. An archived version of the webcast and a replay will be accessible shortly after the call concludes.

Realtor.com has released its 'Grading the States: Affordability & Homebuilding Report Cards' highlighting the nationwide housing shortage of over 4 million homes. The report evaluates states based on housing affordability and new construction capabilities.

South Carolina leads with an A grade, followed by Iowa and Texas (A-), and Indiana and North Carolina (B+). The South and Midwest dominate the rankings due to ample land availability and lower listing prices. These regions show the strongest mix of affordability and robust homebuilding efforts.

The report reveals that only 18 states have median homes affordable to median earners. Seven states (Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and South Carolina) account for over 50% of construction permits in 2024. The Northeast and West Coast struggle significantly, with Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Hawaii, and California receiving the lowest grades due to high housing costs and construction.

Realtor.com® and Local Logic have released a ranking of America's Top Eco-Friendly Cities for Car-Free Transit, highlighting cities where sustainable transportation is most viable. Hoboken, NJ leads the list with 78.4% of residents commuting without cars, followed by Cambridge, MA and Brookline, MA.

The ranking combines U.S. Census data on car-free commuters with Local Logic's proprietary Location Scores for walkability, bikeability, and public transit access. The Northeast and California's Bay Area dominate the top positions, with cities showing strong investments in infrastructure and transit-oriented development.

Key metrics for top cities include: Hoboken ($785,000 median list price, 17 days on market), Cambridge ($1,410,000, 25 days), and Brookline ($2,550,000, 20 days). These markets demonstrate strong home values, reflecting their accessibility to jobs and high quality of life through sustainable transportation options.

Realtor.com's March Rent Report reveals that despite 20 consecutive months of declines, rental prices remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels in most U.S. metros. The current median asking rent of $1,694 is $65 lower than the 2022 peak, representing over $700 in annual savings.

The median rent has increased 20.2% from March 2019 ($1,409) to March 2025. Notable regional growth leaders include Pittsburgh (47.9%), Tampa (45.7%), Indianapolis (34%), and Sacramento (30.6%). San Francisco remains the only market with below pre-pandemic rates.

New 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum threaten to impact multifamily construction, particularly affecting markets with rapid permitting growth. Milwaukee (101.3%), Oklahoma City (90.4%), and Memphis (39.5%) face the highest risk, as increased construction costs could lead to project delays or cancellations, potentially pushing rental prices higher.

Realtor.com's latest survey reveals strong seller optimism in the housing market, with 81% of potential sellers expecting to receive their asking price or more in 2025. 70% of sellers believe it's a good time to sell, despite challenging market conditions.

The survey highlights that 79% of potential sellers are motivated by necessity, with 46% seeking a different community. Key findings show that 75% expect average or shorter selling times, and 63% anticipate minimal concessions. However, 55% of those considering selling for over a year feel 'locked in' due to high mortgage rates.

Regional differences show the Northeast leading in seller confidence at 80%, compared to the West (72%), South (69%), and Midwest (65%). The study found that 96% of potential sellers have taken preparatory steps, with 71% checking home values and 38% making home improvements.

Realtor.com's latest report reveals significant regional disparities in U.S. home down payments during 2024. The Northeast and Midwest regions experienced substantial increases, with Delaware leading at 38.6% growth ($49,000), followed by Rhode Island (32.8%) and Maine (32.0%). In contrast, Southern and Western states saw declines, particularly in pandemic boom areas like Texas (-16.5%) and Florida (-14.1%).

At the metro level, San Diego topped the growth chart with a 33.7% increase in median down payments, reaching $150,407. Other notable increases occurred in Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. Conversely, Cape Coral, Florida, experienced the largest decline (-31.2%). Only 21 of the 100 largest U.S. metros saw falling down payments, indicating persistent competitive conditions nationwide.

The trend reflects a market reshaped by high interest rates, where financially prepared buyers are putting down more money, especially in competitive regions with inventory.

A new Realtor.com® survey reveals that movers spend an average of $17,000 setting up their new homes, with Realtor.com® users spending nearly $20,000. The study highlights that 36% of movers feel excited on moving day, challenging traditional views of moving as purely stressful.

Key findings show that cleaning is important in making a house feel like home, with over 60% preferring DIY cleaning. 61% of movers tried new cleaning products, and 51% opted for organic options. Connectivity is also vital, with 60% installing internet before moving day, and 35% adopting 5G in their new homes.

The survey also revealed that movers are open to brand experimentation, with one-third purchasing vehicles within 12 months of moving. Notable life events among movers included promotions (39%), new jobs (21%), and having children (16%). Most moves (68%) occur within 50 miles of previous residences, with single-family homes being the most common purchase (55%).

The U.S. housing market shows mixed signals in March 2025, with new listings rising 10.2% annually to their highest March level in three years. However, buyer caution persists amid economic uncertainty, evidenced by a 5.2% YoY drop in pending home sales across major metro areas.

The national median listing price remained stable at $424,900, though 17.5% of active listings saw price reductions - the highest share for any March since 2016. Total inventory increased 28.5% YoY, with all 50 largest metro areas showing gains. Notable increases were seen in San Jose (+67.9%), Las Vegas (+67.8%), and Denver (+67.3%).

Despite improvements, total U.S. housing inventory remains 20.2% below pre-pandemic levels. Markets showing significant declines in pending sales include Jacksonville (-15.1%), Miami (-13.7%), and Virginia Beach (-14.2%), while San Jose (+6.4%), Grand Rapids (+6.1%), and Sacramento (+4.6%) demonstrated growth in pending listings.

Realtor.com reveals that Americans need to work an average of 10 days per month to afford a mortgage payment on the median U.S. home price of $412,000. The study, released on April 2, 2025, shows significant regional variations.

Hawaii tops the list requiring 17 working days to cover mortgage payments, followed by California, Massachusetts, and Montana at 15 days each. In contrast, Midwest and Southeast regions show greater affordability, with Ohio requiring only 6 working days and states like Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Michigan requiring 7 days.

The analysis assumes a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.65% interest rate, 20% down payment, and includes property taxes and insurance costs at 1.7% annual rate, based on February 2025 median home prices and January 2025 BLS wage data.