Morning Business Report: Rising homeownership costs, Eli Lilly’s surge, and NVIDIA earnings

Hidden costs of homeownership are rising sharply nationwide.

(LILAMAX)- Hidden costs of homeownership are rising sharply nationwide, with a new analysis showing owners now pay nearly $16,000 a year in maintenance, insurance, and related expenses. The report, released by Zillow and Thumbtack, highlights how insurance premiums alone have jumped 48% since 2020, adding significant strain to household budgets.

Meanwhile, the exclusive trillion-dollar valuation club—currently dominated by tech giants—may soon welcome a new kind of company. Pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly is approaching the threshold, driven by explosive demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Analysts say the category is still in its early stages, with Lilly only launching its drug Zepbound in late 2023, mirroring the rapid ascent seen in the early AI boom.

On Wall Street, stocks fell for a fourth straight day, as major tech names once again dragged the markets lower. That puts today’s earnings report from NVIDIA under intense scrutiny. Given its size and influence, investors believe the chipmaker’s guidance could significantly sway market sentiment—especially as questions grow about whether massive AI investments remain justified.

A new financial study is also challenging assumptions about younger Americans: Gen Z is now considered the most financially savvy generation, according to research from Talker on behalf of Affirm. Despite stereotypes, the survey found Gen Z prioritizes financial stability, with nearly two-thirds regularly planning for their futures and seven in 10 describing their overall approach as “financially realistic.”