The states with the best affordability for homebuyers and that are facilitating the most construction of new homes are centered in the Midwest and South, according to a new report.

Realtor.com released the 2026 edition of its housing report cards for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, which showed that states across the Midwest and South outperformed their peers from the Northeast and West.

While no states earned an A+ grade, which suggests that all have room for improvement, 12 of the 13 states with the highest grades were all located in the Midwest and South, receiving grades in the B- to A range. Half of the grade is based on an affordability measure, while the other half is based on homebuilding activity.

“This year’s refresh reveals a familiar regional divide, but also some notable shifts beneath the surface, with a new state at the top of the class and a handful of states whose grades moved dramatically in either direction,” said Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner.

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Realtor.com’s state report for housing affordability gave Indiana, Iowa and North Carolina A grades, while Texas received an A-. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Indiana topped the list with a total score of 76.3 on the 100-point scale, earning an A based on strong affordability and homebuilding activity that helped it rise three spots from last year’s rankings. 

The median-priced home in the Hoosier State was $295,810 and required about 28% of the median household income of $71,469, which fell below the 30% benchmark for affordability.

Other states to receive A grades include Iowa, which has a median listing price of $282,886 and a median household income of $75,991, as well as last year’s leader South Carolina, with a median listing price of $363,896 and a median income of $67,758.

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Texas ranked fourth with an A- grade, given the Lone Star State’s median listing price of $364,749 and median income of $76,585. North Carolina and Nebraska were the only two states to receive B+ grades.

The biggest risers in the report compared with last year were Delaware and Utah, which each jumped 12 spots. Delaware rose from 19th to 7th, while Utah saw its ranking rise from 29th to 17th.

Realtor.com’s report is based on new construction activity as well as affordability metrics for buyers. (Joshua Lott/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Six states received F grades on their report cards, with New York ranking last due to a $668,173 median listing price and median income of $82,657. The other five states that received F grades were all located in the Northeast or West, with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Hawaii, California and Connecticut rounding out the bottom of the list in order of the worst grade to the best.

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Most of the states near the bottom of the rankings saw their rankings hold steady or change little from a year ago, as they continue to face high prices, limited land for building with restrictive zoning policies, and building costs outpacing what middle-income buyers can afford.

The biggest drops were three states which all fell eight spots in the rankings – Alabama fell from 13th to 21st, Maryland dropped from 23rd to 31st, and New Jersey slipped from 35th to 43rd.

New York slipped into last place in the 2026 rankings. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Here’s the list of the Realtor.com report’s grades for each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia:

• Alabama: C
• Alaska: C-
• Arizona: C
• Arkansas: B
• California: F
• Colorado: C+
• Connecticut: F
• Delaware: B
• District of Columbia: D+
• Florida: B
• Georgia: B
• Hawaii: F
• Idaho: C
• Illinois: C
• Indiana: A
• Iowa: A
• Kansas: B
• Kentucky: C
• Louisiana: C
• Maine: C-
• Maryland: C
• Massachusetts: F
• Michigan: C
• Minnesota: C+
• Mississippi: C-
• Missouri: C
• Montana: D
• Nebraska: B+
• Nevada: C-
• New Hampshire: D+
• New Jersey: D
• New Mexico: C-
• New York: F
• North Carolina: B+
• North Dakota: C
• Ohio: C+
• Oklahoma: B
• Oregon: D-
• Pennsylvania: C
• Rhode Island: F
• South Carolina: A
• South Dakota: B
• Tennessee: C
• Texas: A-
• Utah: C+
• Vermont: D+
• Virginia: C+
• Washington: C-
• West Virginia: C
• Wisconsin: C
• Wyoming: C-

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Gloucester City Council looking to pay back emergency loan

There will be no “fire sale” of property say Gloucester chiefs as they agree to look at selling land in Eastern Avenue to pay back the emergency loan which saved the council from bankruptcy.

Gloucester City Council leaders agreed last week to start the preparatory work to consider the feasibility of selling land and buildings at Eastern Avenue.

The authority was offered £15.5 million in exceptional financial support (EFS) from the Government earlier this year to balance its budget and avoid effective bankruptcy.

And selling off council-owned property or making them more profitable are part of the authority’s financial recovery plan.

The cabinet has agreed to appoint an agent to advise them on the potential sale of land.

The precise property being considered for sale has not yet been made officially public but it is understood to be land is in and around the council’s depot in Chase Lane.

Finance cabinet member Declan Wilson (LD, Hucclecote) told the meeting on June 10 that a decision on whether the site is sold would be taken at a later date.

“The council’s financial recovery plan requires us to look carefully at our property assets and consider whether some could either generate a capital receipt or remove an ongoing liability,” he said.

He said the property was identified in the first phase of assets to be considered and the council will appoint an external agent to advise the council on the feasibility of selling the site.

“This report does not yet commit the council to selling the site,” he added.

A further report with evidence on whether the property should or shouldn’t be put on the open market would be brought to the cabinet before any decision is made.

Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said they are going to make sure they do a “thoroughly good job on the process”.

“We will find out whether it is viable for us to sell this land at Eastern Avenue,” he added.

“It proves one thing, that this council is not about doing a fire sale.

“It’s about making sure we put things on the market, we do it properly and maximise the income for the asset.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

NEW YORK — Fox Corporation announced Monday it has agreed to acquire streaming platform Roku Inc. in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $22 billion in enterprise value, marking one of the largest media deals of 2026 and signaling further consolidation in the rapidly evolving connected television and streaming industry.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will pay $160 per Roku share, consisting of $96 in cash and 0.9693 Fox Class A shares. Upon completion, Fox shareholders are expected to retain approximately 73% ownership of the combined company, with Roku shareholders holding the remaining 27%. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Fox has secured $12 billion in bridge financing from Morgan Stanley to fund the cash portion of the transaction. The acquisition is anticipated to generate around $400 million in run-rate cost synergies and implies pro forma net leverage of approximately 2.8 times.

The combination brings together Fox’s robust portfolio of sports, news and entertainment content — including its popular Tubi free ad-supported streaming service — with Roku’s leading connected TV platform, The Roku Channel, first-party data capabilities and direct relationships with more than 100 million global streaming households.

Strategic Rationale and Industry Context

The deal represents a significant step for Fox as it seeks to strengthen its position in the streaming ecosystem amid intensifying competition from larger players like Netflix, Disney and Amazon. Roku has established itself as a neutral platform powering millions of televisions, offering users access to thousands of channels while generating revenue through advertising and platform fees.

By acquiring Roku, Fox gains greater control over distribution and user engagement while expanding its advertising reach in the fast-growing connected TV segment. The move allows the combined entity to leverage Fox’s premium content with Roku’s scalable technology and data insights, potentially creating new revenue opportunities through targeted advertising and enhanced user experiences.

Roku’s platform has been instrumental in the cord-cutting trend, helping consumers transition from traditional cable to streaming. The acquisition could accelerate innovation in ad-supported streaming while providing Fox with valuable first-party data to refine content strategies and audience targeting.

Market Reaction and Financial Implications

Fox Class A shares fell approximately 15.5% in Monday trading as investors digested the deal terms and potential dilution. Roku shares slipped around 0.8%, reflecting a modest premium in the offer price relative to recent trading levels.

The transaction highlights ongoing consolidation in media and technology, as traditional broadcasters seek to adapt to shifting consumer habits. Free ad-supported streaming services like Tubi have gained significant traction, and combining it with Roku’s platform could create a formidable competitor in the AVOD space.

Analysts expect the deal to enhance the combined company’s competitive positioning against pure-play streaming giants. The $400 million in anticipated cost synergies could help offset integration expenses and support margin expansion over time. However, the bridge financing and resulting leverage will require careful management as the companies integrate operations.

Background on the Companies

Fox Corporation, spun off from the larger 21st Century Fox assets, focuses on news, sports and entertainment through networks like Fox News, Fox Sports and the Fox broadcast network. Its Tubi service has grown rapidly as a leading free streaming option, appealing to cord-cutters seeking affordable entertainment.

Roku, founded in 2002, transformed from a simple streaming device maker into a full platform company. Its operating system powers smart TVs from multiple manufacturers and offers a comprehensive content marketplace. The company generates revenue through hardware sales, platform fees and advertising, with its ad business becoming an increasingly important growth driver.

The acquisition reflects broader trends in the media industry, where content owners and distributors are combining forces to compete more effectively. Similar deals in recent years have reshaped the landscape, as companies pursue scale, data advantages and diversified revenue streams.

Challenges and Regulatory Considerations

The transaction will face scrutiny from antitrust regulators concerned about concentration in the streaming and advertising markets. Both companies operate in competitive environments, but the combination of significant content and distribution assets could raise questions about market power.

Integration challenges will include aligning corporate cultures, technology platforms and advertising strategies. Retaining key talent from both organizations will be critical to realizing the deal’s strategic vision.

For Roku shareholders, the cash-and-stock structure provides immediate value while offering participation in the upside of the combined entity. Fox shareholders, while facing short-term dilution and leverage concerns, stand to benefit from enhanced scale and growth opportunities in streaming.

Industry Experts Weigh In

Media analysts described the deal as a logical evolution for both companies. The combination positions the new entity to better compete in a fragmented streaming market while capitalizing on the continued shift toward ad-supported viewing models.

The deal comes at a time of heightened activity in media M&A, as companies seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. Streaming has fundamentally altered how content is consumed and monetized, prompting traditional players to pursue aggressive strategies.

Outlook for the Combined Company

Assuming regulatory approval, the merged entity is expected to benefit from complementary strengths. Fox’s content expertise paired with Roku’s distribution and data capabilities could drive innovation in personalized viewing experiences and targeted advertising.

Longer-term, the deal may serve as a blueprint for further consolidation as the industry continues to mature. The focus will be on executing integration plans efficiently while maintaining the innovation that has driven growth at both companies.

Investors will closely monitor developments as the deal progresses toward closing. The transaction underscores the strategic importance of scale and technological capability in the modern media landscape.

As Fox and Roku move forward with the proposed combination, the deal represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the streaming industry. It highlights the ongoing convergence of content creation and distribution platforms in an increasingly competitive environment.

Operator

Greetings. Welcome to the Jerash Holdings Fiscal 2026 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this conference is being recorded.

I will now turn the conference over to your host, Roger Pondel, Investor Relations for Jerash Holdings. You may begin.

Roger Pondel
PondelWilkinson Inc.

Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Jerash Holdings Fiscal 2026 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Conference Call. I’m Roger Pondel with PondelWilkinson, Jerash Holdings Investor Relations firm. On the call today from the company are Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sam Choi; Chief Financial Officer, Gilbert Lee; and Eric Tang, who leads the company’s operations in Jordan.

Before I turn the call over to Sam, I want to remind our listeners that today’s call may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the company’s control, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the company’s most recent Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and copies of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, along with other company filings made with the SEC from time to time. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements, and Jerash Holdings undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

And with