Author: Money Mechanics

Municipal bonds often get painted with a broad brush stroke a lot of the time. Investors typically bundle these bonds together in a single package and think of them as a one-off allocation. A package that simply offers tax-free income. However, the municipal market is quite complex, with a variety of different securities, sub-asset classes, and features that investors can leverage at different times to boost returns. One of them is callability. A large subset of municipal bonds features a provision that allows states and other municipal entities to repay the bonds before their final maturity. And while that may…

Interior of cheese monger specialist cheese shop, Mons cheese mongers, East Dulwich, London, England, UK. Geography Photos | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesThe U.K.’s annual inflation rate was steady at 3.8% in August, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday.Economists polled by Reuters had expected inflation to reach 3.8% in the twelve months to August.August core inflation, which excludes more volatile energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices, rose by an annual 3.6%, down from 3.8% in the twelve months to July.”The cost of airfares was the main downward driver this month with prices…

Urban Company, India’s largest home services platform, stormed onto the public markets on Wednesday, opening 58% above its issue price after delivering the country’s most subscribed IPO of the year. The Gurugram-based startup, which connects users to at-home services ranging from beauty treatments to appliance repair, debuted on the Mumbai-based National Stock Exchange at ₹162.25 per share (approximately $1.84), up from its IPO issue price of ₹103. The offering, which opened last week, was subscribed over 100 times, meaning investors placed orders for 100 times more shares than were available, signaling robust demand from both institutional and retail investors. Urban…

(BOE Report) – Plains All American’s crude oil pipelines linking the Permian shale basin to the Corpus Christi export hub in Texas are facing quality issues related to high mercaptans, or naturally-occurring sulfur compounds, according to sources familiar with the matter and a notice seen by Reuters. Starting October 1, Plains will charge a half-dollar fee on every barrel that fails to meet mercaptan specifications on some of its pipelines in the Gulf Coast region, according to a notice to shippers seen by Reuters and two of the sources. The sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential information. Plains did not…

Key Takeaways A steady, well-paying job provides you with the security you need to plan for your financial future, while a passion fuels your creativity. You can have both by pursuing your passion through freelancing and side hustles in addition to keeping a stable, full-time job. To find the right job for you, research a company’s background, do labor market research, and reach out to people who work at the company for insights on working there. It can be tough deciding whether to pursue your passion or get a more practical job. Would you prefer doing something you love everyday…

Key Takeaways Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental services, unless they’re tied to another covered procedure. Some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans include dental benefits. The American Dental Association (ADA) says MA dental coverage is often limited, confusing, and inconsistent. In a letter to Congress, it called for reforms to expand seniors’ access to care.  To avoid unexpected costs, you should ask about provider networks, what’s covered, annual maximums, waiting periods, and out-of-pocket expenses before enrolling. Alternatives to MA dental benefits include standalone dental insurance, discount programs, or bundled dental, vision, and hearing plans that may provide broader coverage. What the…

Key Takeaways Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania are considered to be the most tax-friendly states for retirees.Thirty-eight states don’t tax Social Security income.Thirty-seven states don’t tax most military retirement pay.Fifteen states exempt pension income from state taxes.Nine states have no income tax at all. After a lifetime of contributing to Social Security, building up a retirement plan, or earning a pension, you may be bracing for a big tax hit in retirement. Now you’re ready to punch your last time card and your state has its hand out for some tax dollars as well. Or does it? While federal taxes…

Checking up on your retirement plan may make sense now that we have more guidance related to the SECURE 2.0 Act.getty Remember the SECURE 2.0 Act? SECURE 2.0 Act—which I’ve noted before sounds like a sequel to an action movie—is a follow-up to 2019’s retirement-heavy legislation. The 2022 law built upon the 2019 SECURE Act and expanded retirement savings plans and eligibility by increasing catch-up contributions and allowing more part-time workers to qualify for retirement benefits. The law also established a process for employers to match student loan payments for purposes of making retirement contributions, included provisions for emergency withdrawals…

Key Takeaways Dave & Buster’s Entertainment missed profit and sales forecasts as comparable store sales fell.The game-themed restaurant also warned that it might not be able to cover the possible costs of inflation, tariffs, and other expenses.New CEO Tarun Lal said he will focus on boosting sales and cash flow. Shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY) plunged in morning trading when the game-themed restaurant posted worse-than-expected results as comparable store sales declined and it warned that inflation and tariffs might hurt future demand. The operator of Dave & Buster’s and Main Event locations reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share…

Key Takeaways U.S. retail sales grew by 0.6% in August, coming in better than economists expected given the labor market’s weakness and persistent inflation.The report also revised July data higher to show continued strength from the U.S. consumer.Sales of motor vehicles and electronics increased despite their exposure to U.S. tariffs. Ignoring recent labor market weakness and persistent inflation, American consumers surprised economists by delivering better-than-expected retail sales results in August. U.S. retail sales were up 0.6% in the Census Bureau’s report, while economists expected sales to slow in August.The report also showed that sales in July were better than first…