Morning Business Report: New car payments hit record high as World Cup ratings soar
The average monthly payment for a new vehicle has reached a record high.
(LILAMAX)- The average monthly payment for a new vehicle has reached a record high. A new LendingTree report, citing Experian data for the first quarter of 2026, found the average payment climbed 2.9% from a year ago to $770 per month. Lease payments also increased, rising 3.2% to an average of $619.
Bath & Body Works is searching for its next blockbuster fragrance as its longtime bestseller, Japanese Cherry Blossom, continues to dominate sales after generating $1.5 billion over the past two decades. The New York Times reports the retailer’s annual sales have declined from their pandemic peak as competition grows and some consumers become more cautious about fragrance ingredients.
On Wall Street, stocks moved lower Tuesday as investors reacted to tensions in the Middle East and continued questioning heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Chipmakers were among the day’s biggest decliners.
Television audiences also continued tuning in for the FIFA World Cup, with Monday’s match drawing about 30 million viewers on Fox. Another 12 million watched on Telemundo and Peacock, making it one of the most-watched World Cup broadcasts in U.S. history, though it still trails Super Bowl viewership.
Meanwhile, a new survey from Talker Research found Americans prefer shorter movies. The ideal film length was 88 minutes, with only 10% of respondents saying movies should last two hours or longer and just 3% favoring films that run more than two-and-a-half hours.
