Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways One of Oneida County’s most popular leisure activities is riding the Adirondack Railroad, with numerous other excursions tailored to personal interests. The county’s Office for Aging & Continuing Care provides several helpful services to seniors. The state of New York imposes a high tax rate, but the cost of living in Oneida County is below the national average. Tucked between Albany and Syracuse in central New York State, Oneida County enjoys a rich and storied history. The county was established by the New York State Legislature back in 1798, and it captured international attention in the 18th and…

Key Takeaways Buy now pay later (BNPL) is popular because it feels easy: 87% of users cite spreading payments and convenience. However, experts warn BNPL can be a debt trap for many since those who use it often have fragile finances. You’re scrolling through holiday deals on your phone, and suddenly a $200 gift becomes four “easy” payments of $50—no interest and no credit check. Just click and done. But the bills that come due later won’t be done with you. During the 2024 holiday season alone, Americans spent a record $18.2 billion using BNPL services, up about 10% over…

Key Takeaways Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported record quarterly earnings that topped analysts’ estimates.Shares of TSMC climbed to an all-time high Thursday following the news, before paring the early-session gains. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) posted record earnings and lifted its outlook, in what could be taken as another strong signal of AI demand. The world’s largest chip manufacturer posted earnings per share of $2.92 on revenue that surged 41% year-over-year to $33.10 billion in the third quarter, topping analysts’ estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. TSMC CEO C.C. Wei pointed to “robust” AI-related demand for the growth, telling investors on Thursday’s…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes wavered between gains and losses at midday Thursday as investors digested a flurry of corporate earnings reports. Salesforce shares rose after the customer relationship software maker issued a better-than-expected long-term sales outlook.Verisk Analytics shares fell after Rothschild Redburn analysts downgraded the stock. Major U.S. equities indexes wavered between gains and losses at midday Thursday as investors digested a flurry of corporate earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were little changed, while the Nasdaq was slightly higher. Salesforce (CRM) led Dow gainers after the cloud-based software firm issued a rosy revenue projection. J.B. Hunt…

When talking to clients about employee benefits, popular accounts likely spring to mind: 401(k)s with employer matches, group disability insurance, etc. However, one employee benefit that gets less attention yet offers significant value is Flex Spending Accounts (FSA).  FSAs allow account holders to set aside funds pre-tax for eligible health expenses and over-the-counter health products. In 2025, employees can contribute up to $3,300; when utilized correctly, they can lower the out-of-pocket cost of maintaining their health. Understanding how your client can maximize FSAs is important in ensuring that a valuable benefit is not wasted. Key Takeaways In 2025, eligible account holders…

Morgan Stanley and Bank of America on Wednesday reported third-quarter financial results that blew past investors’ expectations, thanks in part to their dealmakers’ and traders’ fortunes.Mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings are picking up, leading to busier times for bankers who underwrite deals, arrange financing, and advise management teams on transactions. A volatile market, meanwhile, has led to a fresh wave of activity on trading desks across Wall Street.Bank of America said it is now on track to turn in a record year of sales and trading revenue. The firm said investment banking fees rose 43% to $2 billion,…

Speaking today during Aon’s Navigating Market Cycles panel, Rachel Turk, Chief Underwriting Officer at Lloyd’s of London, the specialist insurance and reinsurance marketplace, said that the market’s London Bridge 2 PCC insurance-linked securities (ILS) structure has become an attractive place for third-party capital.London Bridge 2 PCC, is a regulated insurance-linked securities (ILS) platform for Lloyd’s of London that transforms both insurance and reinsurance risk into investment opportunities for institutional investors. Moderator of the panel, Molly Tully, Executive Managing Director at Aon, asked Turk how the structure is helping Lloyd’s and its market participants achieve their strategic goals “I think London…

A shopper walks past shelves of cooking oil for sale at a supermarket in Beijing on October 15, 2025. Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump’s tariffs will cost global businesses upward of $1.2 trillion in 2025, with most of the cost being passed onto consumers, according to a new analysis from S&P Global.In a white paper released Thursday, the firm said its estimate of additional expenses for companies is probably conservative. The price tag comes from information provided by some 15,000 sell-side analysts across 9,000 companies who contribute to S&P and its proprietary research indexes.”The sources of…

Key Takeaways Consumers will have more trust in shopping via ChatGPT as brands they know, such as Walmart, begin working with the tool, an analyst told Investopedia. Retailers and brands may benefit from partnerships with ChatGPT by reaching new audiences and improving their ability to research and target customers, Canaves said. Walmart has entered the chat. This week’s news of a partnership between the retail giant and OpenAI, the ChatGPT operator, is a substantial step forward for the encroachment of artificial intelligence into retail. Established retailers like Walmart (WMT) working with ChatGPT should bolster confidence in the tool as a…

Key Takeaways Soft saving refers to prioritizing wellness today over saving every penny you can. Over 70% of Generation Zers said they would rather have a better quality of life than extra money in the bank, and 48% said global challenges make them want to “live for today.” Part of the trend is driven by economic realities, with rising housing costs and student loan debt taking significant chunks of young people’s paychecks, and future retirement seeming more uncertain. “Soft saving”—prioritizing present enjoyment over aggressive retirement planning—is replacing the acronym FIRE (financial independence, retire early) for many young Americans. Instead of…