Briefly

* U.S. homeownership posted its third quarterly increase. The share of households owning homes rose to a record 68.6% in the first quarter from 68.5% in the fourth quarter and 68.3% in the third, according to the Census Bureau.

* The average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 5.94% last week from 5.89% the week before, Freddie Mac said. Rates for 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages also rose to 5.25% from 5.23%. One-year adjustable rates were 3.69%, unchanged from the previous week.