SUCCESS

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday announced his country would impose “dollar-for-dollar” tariffs on U.S. goods — a retaliatory measure after trade talks between the two nations broke down.

Real estate technology company Zillow has a warning for Americans about the time it takes to save for a down payment on a home and plan for high mortgage rates in a difficult housing market.

“Buying a home is a financial commitment measured not just in dollars, but in years,” Zillow wrote. “Whether to buy or rent is a complex question that depends on where you want to live and your lifestyle preferences, in addition to your financial situation.”

“Nationwide, a median-income household can save for a down payment and break even on their purchase in less than 15 years.”

To calculate the financial breakeven point for homeownership versus renting, Zillow measured two phases, including saving for a down payment and recovering the upfront costs.

On a national level, a household setting aside 10% of the median income needs 8.5 years to reach a 20% down payment on a typical single-family home, followed by another 6.2 years for buying to become more cost-effective than renting, according to Zillow.

“The common wisdom is that saving early to buy a home is the smart financial move, but the reality is more nuanced,” said Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow. “The breakeven number tells you something about a market that a price tag alone doesn’t.”

“Buyers should think about not just when they can afford to buy, but how long they’d need to stay before owning makes more financial sense than renting,” Ng continued. “Homeownership comes with equity and stability, while renting offers flexibility and freedom from maintenance bills and emergencies.”

Freddie Mac clarifies high mortgage rate homebuyer strategy

The weekly 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.65%, slightly down from the previous week when it was 6.67%, Freddie Mac reported on August 20.

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined this week averaging 6.65%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

“With a dip in rates providing modest relief for homebuyers, it’s important to remember borrowers can potentially save thousands by shopping around for the best mortgage rate,” Freddie Mac emphasized.

The daily 30-year FRM was 6.77% on August 21, according to Mortgage News Daily (MND).

“While many news outlets continue focusing on the mid-week announcement regarding Treasury’s bond buyback program, today’s bond market volatility was unrelated,” wrote MND’s Matthew Graham.

“Current levels are close to where they were before Wednesday’s announcement and that makes sense to anyone who [viewed] Wednesday’s market reaction as ‘overdone.’”

Economic data picks up significantly this coming week, alongside anticipated remarks from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at the Federal Reserve’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Zillow explains major homebuyer dilemma

Homebuying timelines vary drastically by city, according to Zillow.

In Austin, Texas, a household saving for a down payment reaches the 20% mark in about eight years — faster than the national pace — but faces a massive 18-year wait to break even against local renting costs, which have dropped recently.

Conversely, Miami buyers spend five extra years saving up, but break even in half the time once they purchase. Consequently, Miami home buyers ultimately come out ahead three years sooner than those in Austin.

Buyers can speed up the process by opting for a starter home — defined by Zillow as a property in the bottom third of regional home values.

More on mortgage rates:

Americans face 3 major takeaways after mortgage rate news

Cooler PCE inflation data can’t fix today’s mortgage rates

Mortgage rate forecast resets after Fed decision

Zillow emphasizes an important dilemma people face.

On a national level, purchasing an entry-level home instead of renting a typical apartment cuts the total timeline in half, taking just 7.2 years to save for and break even.

“However, with the cost of homeownership this high, buyers have signaled they do not want an expensive project,” Zillow wrote. “Turnkey homes sell for 2.9% more than expected, according to Zillow research, while remodeled homes sell for 2.2% more than similar homes without renovations noted in the listing description.”

“Meanwhile, fixer-upper homes sell for 14% less. Not all starter homes need renovations, but buyers who go this route should account for the full cost of ownership, including the possibility of repairs.”

Real estate technology company Zillow warns Americans about the time it takes for homebuyers to save for a downpayment.Shutterstock

Zillow says housing shortage drives affordability crisis

Compared to pre-pandemic levels in July 2019, today’s national timeline is nearly four years longer than the 11-year wait homebuyers experienced back then.

“At the root of the housing affordability crisis is a shortage that stands at 4.7 million homes,” Zillow wrote. “The metros with the largest shortages tend to also have the longest break-even timelines.”

“Los Angeles, for example, has the second-largest deficit at nearly 345,000 homes, and a break-even timeline of nearly 38 years.”

Shrinking a disparity of this size requires taking action from multiple angles.

Policy changes designed to lower construction costs and boost development are among the ideas Zillow advocates, such as updating zoning laws for higher density, simplifying the permit approval process, and broadening access to financing for manufactured homes.

Related: Redfin warns homebuyers on mortgage rates, housing market

A stock that reports revenue growth in the thousands of percent sounds like it invented something new.

Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) reported second-quarter revenue of $5.6 million, more than 9,000% higher than the $61,000 it posted a year earlier, according to the company’s earning release filed with the SEC.

That number is real. The business behind it is still small enough to fit inside a single university research grant.

QUBT shares traded near $9 on Friday, Aug. 21, part of a rally that lifted seven quantum computing stocks at once, according to a Seeking Alpha report.

D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), Rigetti Computing (RGTI), IonQ (IONQ), Infleqtion (INFQ), IQM Quantum Computers (IQMX), and IBM (IBM) all moved higher the same morning. That is to say, when one stock rallies in a particular industry, it pulls its peers along with it.

Quantum Computing’s 9,000% headline, despite a still-tiny business

The revenue jump came from photonics product sales across QCi’s government, educational, and commercial customers, the company said in its earnings release. Revenue also grew 51% from the first quarter’s $3.7 million, a smaller but still meaningful gain.

Most of the improvement in QCi’s bottom line, though, came from a shrinking paper loss on warrant derivatives rather than the core business turning profitable, according to a breakdown of the filing.

Net loss narrowed to $11.8 million from $36.5 million a year earlier. QCi ended the quarter with a $42.5 million order backlog and $1.3 billion in cash, giving it years of runway, even as it keeps losing money on operations.

The quarter also included QCi’s acquisition of NHanced Semiconductors, which launched a second chip fabrication facility and expanded the company’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, according to the earnings release.

The deal added complexity to the numbers: Operating expenses rose 114% year over year to $21.8 million, partly from acquisition-related costs.

Quantum Computing Inc. posted second-quarter revenue growth of more than 9,000% as seven quantum computing stocks rallied together on Friday, Aug. 21.John Keeble / Getty Images

7 stocks, 6 catalysts, one basket trade

D-Wave gained as much as 7%, Rigetti climbed 9.6%, IonQ rose 7.5%, Infleqtion added 9%, and IQM popped 7%. None of them moved for the same reason.

A new Outperform rating and $35 price target from BMO Capital Markets, implying roughly 85% upside, sent D-Wave (QBTS) shares higher, according to a BMO note covered by The Motley Fool.

Rigetti (RGTI) shares rose even more than D-Wave’s that same morning, even though BMO’s note never mentioned the company, The Motley Fool reported.

IBM (IBM) advanced 2% two days after saying it had successfully cooled and linked two cryogenic modules, a step toward the fault-tolerant quantum computer it has targeted for 2029, an IBM press release confirmed.

IonQ (IONQ) signed a non-binding agreement to become a listed cloud provider on a Canadian government quantum platform, a deal that carries no guarantee of revenue, according to TipRanks.

The common thread isn’t fundamentals. Quantum stocks increasingly trade as a single basket, correlated more with sector sentiment than with any one company’s earnings.

When one name gets a bullish headline, the rest of the group tends to move with it, whether or not the news applies to them specifically.

Percentages, not profits, drove quantum stocks’ rally

The percentages doing the talking this week say more about how small these companies still are than about how close quantum computing is to arriving. Infleqtion (INFQ) is the clearest example.

The company originally reported second-quarter revenue up 116% to $12.6 million on Aug. 12, then quietly raised that figure to $13.5 million, a 157% increase, in an amended SEC filing five days later. Most of the coverage that moved Infleqtion’s stock this week never caught the revision.

More Quantum stocks:

IBM CEO sends blunt message on quantum computing

Pentagon may see one of quantum computing’s first practical winners

IBM quietly cleared a quantum computing hurdle experts doubted

None of this means quantum computing isn’t real progress. It means a headline reading “9,000% growth” or “157% growth” is only useful once an investor knows the prior-year number.

A rounding error looks like a moonshot when the starting point is close to zero. Investors who buy on the percentage alone are betting on a narrative, not a balance sheet.

That’s not necessarily wrong, but it’s a different kind of bet than the quantum revolution framing on trading platforms suggests this week.

Watch backlog conversion, not quarterly percentages

This pattern isn’t unique to quantum computing. Early-stage solar, biotech, and electric-vehicle stocks went through the same phase, when triple and quadruple digit growth headlines outran the dollar figures behind them.

The percentages shrink as the denominator grows, and so does the market’s appetite for celebrating them.

The more useful numbers to watch are backlog conversion and repeat orders. IQM Quantum Computers (IQMX) has told investors to expect most of its 2026 revenue in the fourth quarter, tied to system deliveries already inside its EUR 102 million order backlog.

D-Wave has guided to two to three full system sales a year starting in 2027. Those figures will look smaller than this week’s percentages. They will say more about whether quantum computing is becoming a real business.

Related: IBM CEO sends blunt message on quantum computing

Uncanny Alley A New Day is one of three nominees for the Best Emerging Media Emmy, taking on

After its former owner collapsed under unsustainable debt and the brand lost its physical retail presence, a once-popular fashion brand is making an unexpected return to stores.

The brand disappeared from the high street in 2019 after its then-owner entered administration, resulting in the closure of dozens of standalone stores and more than 100 department-store concessions.

The brand making its return is Karen Millen.

Founded in 1981, Karen Millen is a British womenswear brand known for its tailored clothing, coats, and occasionwear.

Karen Millen comes back to physical stores

Karen Millen is returning to physical stores seven years after shifting to an online-only retail model.

The physical relaunch began rolling out on August 14 through a partnership with The Foschini Group (TFG), with Karen Millen concessions opening across the UK at retailers including Hobbs, Phase Eight, and Whistles. The rollout is also expanding to Liverpool One and Aberdeen Union Square in Scotland.

The initial release will feature Karen Millen’s occasionwear and bestselling pieces, including items from its Forever Collection. The collection includes dresses, shirts, blazers, and coats, with prices ranging from £49 to £429 ($67 to $586).

“Karen Millen is a brand with real heritage, recognition and a loyal customer base, so bringing it back to the high street is a significant moment,” Debenhams Group CEO Dan Finley told Drapers.

“Our customers want great fashion, but they also want to experience brands in different ways, and physical retail gives us another opportunity to do that.”

Karen Millen returns to physical stores.tupungato / Getty Images

Why Karen Millen closed its physical stores

Karen Millen’s retreat from physical retail came during a broader financial crisis for its then-owner, Mosaic Fashions.

Mosaic Fashions entered administration in August 2019 after struggling with unsustainable debt and high operating costs. The company also faced challenges affecting the wider UK retail sector, including declining foot traffic and sluggish consumer spending, while efforts to secure a buyer for the business were unsuccessful.

In the UK, administration is an insolvency process that can provide financially distressed companies with protection from creditors while licensed insolvency practitioners work to restructure the business or find a buyer. It serves a broadly comparable purpose to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S., although the two processes operate under different legal frameworks.

The collapse resulted in the closure of 32 standalone Karen Millen stores in the UK, along with 117 department-store concessions. The brand subsequently operated entirely online.

A few months later, Karen Millen was acquired out of administration by Boohoo Group in an £18 million ($24.55 million) deal after Mosaic Fashions failed to find a buyer for the entire business.

Boohoo Group later changed its name to Debenhams Group in 2021.

The return to physical stores marks a significant change from the online-only strategy that followed the 2019 administration. Rather than rebuilding the standalone store network it once operated, Karen Millen is using concessions within established retail locations, allowing the brand to regain a physical presence without returning to the same store-heavy model that preceded its 2019 collapse.

Other retailers have also pulled back from physical stores

Karen Millen’s return comes as other UK fashion and department-store brands continue to face financial pressure, with some entering administration, closing physical locations, or shutting down their operations entirely.

Here’s some of my previous coverage with recent examples:

Quiz: Entered administration in February 2026 and closed all its remaining standalone stores in June.

LK Bennett: Entered administration in January 2026, closed all stores and concessions, and ceased e-commerce operations in April.

Harvey Nichols: Was acquired by Frasers Group in August 2026 through a pre-pack administration as the luxury department store faced mounting financial challenges.

Related: Discount grocery chain closes 12 stores after expanding too fast

“Motor City,” a revenge thriller starring “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson, will attempt to find an audience on streaming this week after the film with only a handful of lines of dialogue had a muted run at the box office.

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why we love this deal

Style is subjective, and jewelry is one of the big shopping areas where it’s easy to see that. A stunning diamond bolo bracelet might be the perfect accessory for one person, while another might prefer something bolder. A pair of pearl earrings might seem super elegant and luxurious to someone else, but a bit too upscale for another. The point is that what shoppers reach for typically varies because of their own personal style, but something that many shoppers can agree on is that it’s hard to pass down a truly stunning cluster of stones, especially something like the Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Pendant.

The necklace is available in five different gemstones, each colorful and vibrant, and right now, they’re all on sale during Macy’s semi-annual jewelry sale, which ends on August 24. The Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Pendant, originally an $850 purchase, is now 71% off during this limited-time special, and you can get it for $249. Choose from citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, garnet, or peridot. 

Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Pendant, $249 (was $850) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’s

Why do shoppers love it?

The color of the gemstone is truly remarkable. In fact, it’s what first pulls you in. Measuring 2-⅕ carats total, the oval-shaped citrine stone has a gorgeous yellow and orange hue that’s named after the French word for lemon. The traditional birthstone for November, it certainly isn’t relegated to strict wear during the fall. Its sunny color adds a bright, warm hue to anyone who wears it, and some say it’s even known to attract wealth, boost confidence, and bring positive energy if you’re someone into the traditions and myths of gems.

The citrine pendant is the focal point of this necklace, and it has triangular diamond accents arranged along the entire length around the gem. The diamonds are very small with sharp edges that add a nice contrast to the smooth, rounded edge of the citrine. The pendant charm sits about 0.5 inches off the gold clasp that attaches it to the necklace.

The pendant sits on a 10K yellow gold rope chain, which provides maximum structural security for everyday wear. Not only is it highly resistant to bending, scratching, and breaking, but the roped spiral design helps spread tension out more evenly than other styles to keep the pendant charm from weighing down the necklace. The chain measures approximately 18 inches long and has a spring-ring closure to provide a secure fit. 

Related: Macy’s $100 diamond-accented bolo bracelet is 60% off

Details to know

Material: Diamonds, citrine, and 10K yellow gold.

Carat: 2-⅕. Carat varies based on gemstone. 

Length: The necklace is approximately 18 inches long with a drop of approximately 0.5 inches. 

Gemstones: The necklace is available in citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, garnet, and peridot.  

Clasp: Spring-ring closure.   

Not only does this necklace come in other gemstone options, but this necklace is part of a three-piece collection. You can buy a matching ring and earrings if you really want to complete the look, and both are on sale as well

Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Ring, $540 (was $1,350) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’s

Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Stud Earrings $249 (was $850) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’s

Shop more deals 

Macy’s Lab-Grown White Sapphire Tennis Necklace, $411 (was $1,175) at Macy’s

Macy’s Diamond Pendant Necklace, $1,610 (was $4,746) at Macy’s

Macy’s Diamond Emerald-Shaped Halo Cluster Pendant Necklace, $399 (was $1,300) at Macy’s

With the sale price, the Macy’s Citrine and Diamond Accent Pendant is a worthwhile investment at 71% off, whether it’s a gift to yourself or a loved one. This isn’t a deal you’ll want to wait on, though, because come August 24, the price will likely go back up to $850.

Once one of Trump’s biggest supporters, MTG says Trump “changed” after being elected to his second term.

Taylor Swift pulls ahead of Maroon 5 and claims the most No. 1s of all time on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart as “I Knew It, I Knew You” rises to the top space.

Drake reaches Billboard’s Hot Latin Rhythm Songs chart for the first time alongside Karol G on “Ahi,” which earns the rapper his initial leader.