Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to deliver closely watched remarks on Friday, potentially signaling how the central bank could approach interest rates.Walmart, Home Depot, Target, and Lowe’s are scheduled to report earnings, giving insight into consumer spending patterns and tariff pressures.Housing market data, Fed meeting minutes, and weekly jobless claims also will attract attention this week. Get ready to hear a lot about Jerome Powell. Remarks from the Federal Reserve chair will likely demand market watchers’ attention this week as investors seek clarity over the central bank’s next interest-rate moves. Powell has been under pressure to…

Key Takeaways Home Depot and Lowe’s have said the homeowners who typically turn to them for remodeling jobs generally have been holding off on renovations due to high interest rates.The companies’ earnings, scheduled for this week, may provide fresh insight on whether homeowners’ mindsets have shifted.The customers Home Depot caters to are relatively affluent and likely can withstand higher inflation and prices, the company has said. Are affluent Americans still spending? Two big home improvement retailers could offer clues about that later this week. Homeowners renovating kitchens and retiling bathrooms have long been crucial parts of the business at Home…

The inflation story and the employment story are about the only things rippling the still summer waters these days, it seems. The weak employment data in the most-recent report got equity investors very excited since every analyst worth his or her salt believes that lower rates are good for the companies he/she covers, but those companies will surely be able to avoid losing business in an economic slowdown. And, to be fair, because the goods and services sectors in the US (and global) economy are out-of-sync, any recession is likely to be fairly shallow (and being out-of-sync is probably why…

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.1 It is wonderful to join you again this year, now as the Fed’s Vice Chair for Supervision. Since assuming this important financial regulatory role, we have hit the ground running—addressing some of the most critical matters in the bank regulatory space, all of which fall under the broad categories of improving efficiency, transparency, and fairness. Often, the “headline” issues coming out of the Federal Reserve and the other banking regulators are ones that affect the largest firms. And many are critical for both economic growth and financial stability. But banks…

Renowned trader Peter Brandt has backed a Bitcoin BTC/USD price prediction chart that suggests the cryptocurrency could reach a staggering $280,000 by the end of 2025.What Happened: Brandt endorsed a Bitcoin cycle chart that aligns the four major Bitcoin cycles since 2011. The chart predicts that Bitcoin could hit its peak somewhere between September and December 2025.The chart also hints at a price range of $150,000-$180,000 during a mid-channel run. However, if the pattern mirrors previous cycles and reaches the upper red line, the price could skyrocket to around $250,000-$280,000.Brandt’s support of the chart adds weight to the prediction, considering his vast experience in…

Image by GrokArtificial intelligence is being heralded as one of the most transformative technologies of all time, with the potential to radically improve productivity, reduce costs, and drive economic growth. But as the AI revolution unfolds, a paradox is emerging: AI has deep deflationary potential, yet its explosive demand for electricity and infrastructure introduces inflationary pressures. Understanding these contradictory forces is essential to understanding how Artificial Intelligence could shape macroeconomic trends in the coming decade.The Deflationary Power of AIAI’s primary deflationary force lies in its ability to automate tasks across every sector of the economy — from legal document review…

The day we meet, Daniel Daggers has just returned from Greece and admits he was feeling a “bit glum” on the way back from the airport. “That was until I passed through London,” says Daggers, founder and chief executive of prime estate agency DDRE Global and one of the stars of Netflix reality show Buying London.“Looking out of the window, I was immediately reminded of how great the city is,” he adds. “It’s steeped in history and has amazing architecture and design. All the nuances of the buildings and the history behind them are remarkable.”In his 27 years as an…

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into left-leaning advocacy group Media Matters. Back in 2023, Media Matters published research showing ads from major companies had appeared alongside antisemitic and other offensive content on Elon Musk-owned X. When major advertisers subsequently pulled back from the platform, X sued Media Matters. It also sued advertisers and advertiser groups over what it claimed was a “systematic illegal boycott.” After Musk’s then-ally Donald Trump took office again in January, the FTC also began an investigation into whether Media Matters had illegally colluded with advertisers. On Friday,…

Key takeaways Side hustles can help you test business ideas and potentially build real wealth—Apple, Twitter, and Instagram all started that way.A side hustle can build skills, confidence, and connections that pay dividends far beyond earning extra cash.Start with clear goals, align your skills with market demand, and use cost-effective tools to set up and promote your business. Track progress, measure your return on time and money, and adapt when needed. Side hustles—secondary jobs or businesses outside your primary occupation—can be a great way to earn extra income or pursue something you truly love. They can also help you test…

If you’re worried about being able to afford retirement, remote work might be your lifeline. Not only can it extend your career, it can also redefine what retirement looks like altogether. Roughly 40% of Americans say they plan to work during their retirement years, according to a study by Northwestern Mutual. That figure climbs to 45% for millennials and 48% for Gen Xers, many of whom aren’t just trying to stay active—they’re trying to stay afloat. For older workers in particular, the rise of remote work could offer the flexibility and freedom to ease into retirement instead of falling off…