Real wages dropped 0.4% and 30 year yields hit the highest since 2007 while parents face $900 back to school bills

Private sector labor costs rose 0.9 percent in second quarter 2026.

Slightly higher than the 0.8 percent Wall Street expected.

Yearly wage growth slowed to 3.1 percent for private sector, smallest since early 2021.

Real wages after inflation dropped 0.3 to 0.4 percent.

Wall Street still freaks out when regular workers get paid more.

US 30 year Treasury yield reached 5.27 percent on July 31.

Highest level since 2007.

30 year mortgage rates heading toward 7.5 percent by year end.

Over two thirds of K12 parents say back to school shopping costs more this year.

Average expected spend is 885 to 900 dollars per child.

Includes 337 dollars for activities, 275 for clothes and shoes, 118 for supplies.

Lower income parents feel it hardest and plan to spend more relative to budget.

Official CPI still at 3.5 percent year over year through June.

Energy prices up big, pushing the overall number.