Author: Money Mechanics

Oil prices slipped in early Asian trade on Monday, as a combination of burgeoning supply concerns and escalating U.S.–China trade tensions weighed on sentiment. At the time of writing, Brent crude futures had dropped 0.29% to $61.11 while WTI was down 0.35% at $57.34. The continued drop comes on the heels of a third consecutive weekly decline for both benchmarks, with more than a 2% fall in each last week. Concerns about demand softening and a looming supply overhang are the key factors dragging prices lower, with easing geopolitical risk also weighing on oil. The International Energy Agency recently raised its…

As investor appetite continues to broaden beyond property catastrophe, Vantage Risk is building a “mosaic of capital providers,” matching different investors with different risks, from short-tail cat exposures to long-tail casualty and credit lines, according to Chris McKeown, Chief Executive, Reinsurance, ILS, and Innovation.Speaking with Artemis around the key reinsurance industry conference season, McKeown discussed Vantage Risk’s ongoing diversification strategy. When we last spoke to McKeown in June, he noted that Vantage’s Partnership Capital platform had been exploring expansion into marine, energy, aviation, and cyber lines, leveraging Vantage’s expertise We began by asking whether there had been any movement since…

The government may be in the middle of a shutdown, but that hasn’t stopped work at the White House—construction work.Demolition crews moved in on Monday to begin knocking down part of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Tearing down the East Wing marks the start of President Donald Trump’s $200 million ballroom project, but he originally claimed it wouldn’t “interfere” with the existing structure.Now, a portion of the East Wing has been demolished by heavy machinery brought in to start on the proposed ballroom. The backhoe ripped through the structure in which, according to the Washington Post, the “sounds of construction were audible on…

Key Takeaways Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said he could imagine a day where the company’s app is able to handle spoken order requests.The cafe chain is primarily using technology behind the scenes, while focusing on making stores social and inviting places to spend time, he said last week. Getting your morning caffeine fix may soon be as simple as grumbling into your phone about your need for coffee. AI could some day allow the Starbucks (SBUX) app to handle voice orders and do a better job of remembering customers’ preferences, CEO Brian Niccol said recently. He said the cafe chain…

(Oil Price) – Republican lawmakers on Monday moved to declare Coal Week, amplifying the Trump administration’s push to expand U.S. coal output and keep aging plants online, the Washington Times reported. The resolution coincides with new executive actions to “reinvigorate” coal, including directives signed in April to boost production and preserve baseload capacity, as outlined in a White House executive order. The message to miners and utilities is that federal support is rising for coal as part of an energy-security agenda centered on domestic supply. Administration officials in late September detailed plans to open 13 million acres of federal land for coal leasing and to direct…

Key Takeaways Without a 401(k), you should prioritize IRAs, HSAs, and then taxable brokerage accounts to build long-term wealth. If you’re self-employed, Solo 401(k)s and SEP IRAs can allow you to contribute far more than traditional IRAs. You can mimic an employer match by committing to invest a fixed percentage of your income every year. About 56 million U.S. workers have no access to a 401(k) through their jobs, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. Without automatic payroll deductions or employer matches, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind on retirement goals. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build…

Key Takeaways Some Silicon Valley companies are embracing the “996” work culture—working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—as competition in artificial intelligence (AI) heats up.Both big tech CEOs and startup founders have publicly promoted the importance of working long hours to get ahead.Data from Ramp, a corporate credit card issuer, shows a spike in corporate card transactions on Saturdays in San Francisco, compared to 2024, which may reflect an increased number of 996 work schedules. In Silicon Valley, employees at tech companies may be facing longer work hours, as the “996” schedule takes hold. “996” refers to…

Key Takeaways Use tailored ChatGPT prompts to uncover hidden investment ideas like emerging industries, undervalued stocks, and alternative assets. Always fact-check AI outputs using real-time data from sources like Morningstar, Yahoo Finance, and industry reports, as AI can hallucinate or misreport financial facts. Use AI for research purposes only—and don’t upload any sensitive financial data into chatbot interfaces; make sure investment decisions are guided by a human financial advisor. In a volatile and changing macroeconomic landscape, DIY investors may have trouble finding under-the-radar investment opportunities that suit their financial needs and can grow their wealth. But the artificial intelligence tool…

The federal shutdown is rattling housing markets in states like Florida, but California’s has barely flinched.“Overall, the California housing market hasn’t shown signs of any major shifts since the government shutdown kicked off,” says Realtor.com® senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. “New listing activity is up year over year, time on market is stable, and inventory growth is decelerating, holding with recent trends.”It’s a striking finding given how exposed California could be. The state ranks sixth nationwide for both FHA and VA loan volume, ninth for total USDA housing investments, and sixth for the number of active National Flood Insurance…

Key Takeaways When your CD matures, letting it auto-renew can trap you in a lousy rate and a new term you didn’t plan for. Find a better return by researching today’s best CD rates. With Fed rate cuts on the horizon, acting soon can help you lock in a stronger yield. Need more flexibility? Move some or all of your balance into a top high-yield savings account for steady growth and quick access. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. The Costly CD Oversight That Can Hurt You Twice When your certificate of deposit (CD) nears maturity,…