Author: Money Mechanics

To help you understand what is going on in the global economy and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…Europe’s economy has struggled for years, going back to the fiscal crisis in Greece a decade ago and continuing through the pandemic, war and inflation. Debt…

Traveling in retirement opens up a whole new world of adventure, but staying healthy while on the road is key to enjoying the experience. It can mean the difference between feeling tired and unwilling (or unable) to participate in activities and waking up energized and ready to turn the day into something extraordinary.Travelers have always faced some level of health risk when on the go. Studies consistently show that 22% to 79% of international travelers experience some type of illness, although not always requiring the need to see a doctor. And, although these rates vary by destination, trip length and…

Key Takeaways Cracker Barrel is taking steps to reverse a decline in traffic it has seen since unveiling a controversial new logo in August.The restaurant recently offered breakfast specials and will poll loyalty members on how their experience was, CEO Julie Masino said.Bank of America analysts cautioned that the recovery may be “protracted.” A hotly debated rebrand has depressed sales at Cracker Barrel since mid-August. The restaurant chain is trying to move on. Its efforts include new breakfast specials and soliciting feedback from regulars. And there’s good reason to try: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) traffic has declined 8%…

Key Takeaways Mobile, manufactured, and modular homes have multiple financing options available.Financing can be available through the manufacturer, local credit unions, or specialty lenders.Loan options like U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans, and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are available on manufactured homes. You can use a home loan to purchase both a mobile, manufactured, or modular home and the land at the same time.Many borrowers take out chattel loans, which may be more expensive than a mortgage. Mobile, manufactured, and modular homes are popular choices for buyers interested in the tiny house…

Colombia’s oil and gas reserves could be revised up this year compared to 2024, but oil output continues to drop amid a hostile climate to oil and gas, social and security issues, and international majors bailing on Colombia. Colombia’s oil production could suffer another major blow as the investment climate will further sour after the United States this week stripped Colombia of its so-called U.S. Drug Certification. This means that the Trump Administration no longer believes Colombia is fully cooperating with the U.S. counter-narcotics efforts. The U.S.-Colombia ties have soured since U.S. President Donald Trump took office, and these continuously…

Worthington Enterprises, Inc. WOR will release earnings for the first quarter, after the closing bell on Tuesday, Sept. 23.Analysts expect the Columbus, Ohio-based company to report quarterly earnings at 70 cents per share. That’s up from 50 cents per share in the year-ago period. Worthington projects quarterly revenue of $291.84 million, compared to $257.31 million a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On June 24, Worthington Enterprises reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results.Worthington Enterprises shares gained 2.8% to close at $62.75 on Thursday.Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by…

This week, central banks, especially the Fed and BoE, dominate financial market attention. The Fed’s 25bp rate cut aligns with expectations, while BoE remains cautious on cuts. BoE’s decision affects GBP/USD volatility with eyes on key price levels. Looking for actionable trade ideas to navigate the current market volatility? Subscribe here to unlock access to InvestingPro’s AI-selected stock winners. This week’s focus is squarely on central banks, with the Fed and the Bank of England setting the tone. The Fed yesterday, in line with expectations, and signaled room for further easing as the softens. The Bank of England, by contrast,…

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will lower its benchmark rate by a quarter point, paving the way for relief from some of the high borrowing costs that have weighed on consumers.The federal funds rate, which is set by the Federal Open Market Committee, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. Although that’s not the rate consumers pay, the central bank’s moves still affect the borrowing and savings rates they see every day.”The impact on household finances is likely to be mixed,” said Brett House, economics professor at Columbia Business School.”For households with variable-rate loans or other…

Key Takeaways The wage gap between men and women has existed for decades, and persists in the U.S. economy, widening last year.More recent data suggests that women make about 82% of what men make, below the peak of about 84.6% reached in mid-2023.Certain jobs still tend to be dominated by men and women, and experts recommend steps like seeking out more education and certifications for women looking to boost their pay. Women still make less than men, and the pay gap between those two genders widened again last year, according to data released last week by the Census Bureau. The…

(Oil Price)– Energy security and affordability have trumped fears of stranded assets in recent years, prompting the world’s biggest international oil and gas firms to shift focus back to exploration after years of trying to develop clean energy solutions.   Big Oil has scaled back investments in renewables, at least those majors that tried to become key green energy providers, as poor returns from clean energy and demand, cost, and regulatory challenges further diminished the appeal of returns on investments in solar and wind. Back to the Basics European majors BP and Shell reversed their pledges from the early 2020s to…