Author: Money Mechanics

390742 05: A protester demonstrates against a Bush administration plan to add private investment accounts to Social Security, June 18, 2001 in New York City moments after U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O”Neill addressed a luncheon given by the Coalition for American Financial Security. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe U.S. government shutdown has begun to affect an area many Americans take for granted: Social Security benefits. Yesterday, the government failed to release a critical report—the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—which determines the final cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security in 2026. With a reduced Social Security workforce, approximately 75 million retirees,…

Key Takeaways Walmart shares soared this week after it announced a commerce partnership with OpenAI that will allow ChatGPT users to buy Walmart merchandise directly through the chatbot.OpenAI deals have fueled the latest stretch of the AI rally, but have also raised eyebrows on Wall Street, where an increasing share of investors worry AI is in or approaching a bubble.The OpenAI-Walmart partnership could allay some investor fears by boosting OpenAI’s revenue, reducing its debt burden and demonstrating AI can deliver tangible returns on investment. The OpenAI fairy dust that has boosted tech stocks this year is spreading to new sectors.…

Key Takeaways Nestle on Thursday offered the latest example of a big employer looking to save money by streamlining its white-collar workforce.The company didn’t specify how many of the cuts it planned over the next two years would come in the U.S., which recently accounted for 15% of its total headcount. White-collar employment is taking another hit. Global food giant Nestle on Thursday said that, as part of a cost-savings push, it would cut about 12,000 white-collar positions.The company in a press release said the cuts would be “across functions and geographies.” It reported 277,000 employees worldwide in its last…

The federal estate tax exemption increased again for 2026. Yet, the higher, IRS-inflation-adjusted number may not come as a surprise to most who have been watching the news.Enacted on July 4, 2025, the Trump/GOP spending bill, sometimes referred to as the “big beautiful bill” (BBB), permanently extended several temporary federal tax provisions. Among these changes is an increase in the estate exemption amount to a higher base threshold.And with next year’s higher exemption amount, heirs may receive a potentially lower federal tax bill. But there may be an increase in taxes for some high-income earners. From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

BlackRock is going all-in on stablecoins.  The Wall Street giant said Thursday it will retool one of its money market funds to cater explicitly  to U.S. stablecoin issuers, by making the fund an approved reserve asset for such tokens under the recently passed GENIUS Act. The BlackRock Select Treasury Based Liquidity Fund (BSTBL) will remove agency investments, shorten the maturity of its investments in U.S. Treasuries, and add overnight repurchase agreements as an eligible asset, in a bid to make the fund both compliant with GENIUS and maximally liquid for stablecoin issuers. Jon Steel, global head of product for BlackRock’s…

In-brief analysis October 16, 2025 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Liquefaction Capacity File, and trade pressNote: Export capacity shown is project’s baseload capacity. Online dates of LNG export projects under construction are estimates based on trade press and do not reflect expectations for projects ramping to full production following initial shipment. LNG=liquefied natural gas; FLNG=floating liquefied natural gas Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters in the United States have announced plans to more than double U.S. liquefaction capacity, adding an estimated 13.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) between 2025 and…

Earlier in the week, we looked at the upcoming DuPont electronics business spinoff and what investors are getting with the new Qnity Electronics, which has a strong foothold in the semiconductor industry. Now, here is a look at what will be left of the new DuPont after the planned Nov. 1 split and the stocks starting to trade separately two days later. With electronics out of the picture, the new DuPont will focus on four key markets: health care, water, and diversified industrials. The revenue split is about 25% health care, 24% construction, 22% water, 16% industrials/aerospace, printing and packaging,…

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 takes place October 27-29 in San Francisco’s Moscone West, and exhibit space is nearly full. With less than two days left to secure your table, now is the time to step in before a competitor takes your place. Showcase your brand to 10,000 founders, investors, media, and tech leaders on the hunt for the next breakthrough. Build a year’s worth of connections in just 3 days. Generate hot leads. Capture investor attention. If your work is making waves, your vision excites, or your team is ready to grow, this is your moment to shine at one of…

Key Takeaways Salesforce shares rose in premarket trading Thursday after the software maker issued a better-than-expected long-term sales outlook.The stock looks set to open around the 50-day MA after the company’s upbeat revenue outlook, potentially setting the stage for a breakout from a descending broadening formation.Investors should watch critical overhead areas on the Salesforce chart around $270 and $290, while also monitoring support levels near $230 and $212. Salesforce (CRM) shares gained ground in premarket trading Thursday after the software maker issued a better-than-expected long-term sales outlook. The company said it expects revenue to surpass $60 billion in 2030, comfortably…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Large U.S. banks surpassed earnings expectations with their third-quarter financial results.The major financial institutions enjoyed higher revenues from dealmaking and asset management as the U.S. stock market continued surging.Some bank executives cautioned against complacency, though, in an uncertain environment. Large U.S. banks, reveling in a market-friendly environment, surpassed third-quarter revenue and earnings expectations this week. At the same time, they emphasized that geopolitical uncertainty requires vigilance to ensure the good times last. With a frothy stock market boosting dealmaking, corporate lending and returns on asset management and trading, banks ranging from JPMorganChase (JPM) to Wells Fargo (WFC) topped…