Author: Money Mechanics

Fall is right around the corner. And that means a new iPhone is about to drop.Last week, Apple announced details surrounding its iPhone 17. The base model remains at the same price of $799.99 and comes with many elevated features that make it an attractive buy. You can preorder it now, with the release coming Friday, September 19.Furthermore, if you’re thinking about switching carriers, T-Mobile is offering a promotion that could get you the new iPhone at no cost. We’ll break down what’s new about the iPhone 17, how the T-Mobile deal works and whether it’s a smart value. From…

Investing can feel like a waiting game, with the biggest rewards often years or even decades away. But what if you could get a little instant gratification along the way?Some companies offer fun perks to their investors, such as free chocolate, discounted products or spending money on your next cruise. These small bonuses can make the investing journey a bit more enjoyable.While it’s tempting to chase these freebies, it’s crucial to remember a cardinal rule of investing: never let a perk dictate your purchase. A company should earn its place in your portfolio based on its financial health and growth…

When it comes to estate planning, a will or a trust often receives the most attention. However, the simple act of naming a beneficiary to inherit assets in your 401(k), IRA, or savings account, or the proceeds of a life insurance policy or annuity, is a powerful estate planning tool.“Some folks minimize the importance of a beneficiary designation,” said Rachelle Tubongbanua, a private wealth advisor and managing director at U.S. Bank.But that’s an estate planning mistake. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters…

Did you know that, beyond being a collectable find for enthusiasts, fine wine is also considered an investable asset? There’s certainly some appeal to investing in such a prestigious and timeless commodity—not to mention, its value doesn’t waver in accordance with stock market movements. In fact, fine wine has a history of strong performance, being one of the few luxury items that tends to appreciate with age. This isn’t to say you should shift your investment strategy to incorporate fine wine—particularly if you aren’t a passionate wine enthusiast. The reality is that fine wine as an investment is complicated, thanks…

Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW Corporation (CDW) provides information technology (IT) solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. With a market cap of $21.5 billion, CDW operates through Corporate, Small Business, and Public segments. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as “large-cap stocks.” CDW fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the information technology services industry. Despite its notable strengths, CDW stock has plunged 28.8% from its 52-week high of $230.86 touched on Sept. 20, 2024. Meanwhile, the stock has declined nearly 6% over the past three…

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has strongly denied claims by conservative commentator Candace Owens that he pressured Charlie Kirk during a Hamptons meeting weeks before the young influencer’s tragic death.Candace Owens Alleges Hamptons ‘Intervention’ And ThreatsOwens alleged in a video and social media posts that Ackman, Kirk, and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon participated in an “intense intervention” where “threats were made” to influence Kirk’s stance on Israel. She also claimed that Kirk had been offered “a ton of money” and had been contacted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Bill Ackman Calls Claims ‘Totally False’ And Provides ContextAckman responded on X Monday,…

D-Day is approaching for the markets, as a two-day FOMC meeting begins this Tuesday, with a key rate announcement tomorrow. The market is a rate cut with a high degree of certainty, with some even speculating on a “double” rate cut, not of 25, but of 50 basis points.In response to these expectations, the S&P 500 has been setting record highs in recent days, with a new all-time high closing on Monday at 6,615.28 points. Investors are likely already factoring in the rate cut.However, the Fed still has room to boost the markets. Investors expect more rate cuts before the…

With increasingly stronger earnings projected through 2027, Bermuda headquartered re/insurer Vantage Risk has been assigned an ‘A-‘ (stable) financial strength rating from S&P Global Ratings and its AdVantage third-party collateralized reinsurance platform has been heavily cited as a key lever for the business.S&P has assigned its ‘A-‘ long-term issuer credit and financial strength ratings to Vantage Group’s core operating insurance subsidiaries, Vantage Risk Ltd., Vantage Risk Specialty Insurance Co., and Vantage Risk Assurance Co., while also giving a ‘BBB-‘ long-term issuer credit rating to Vantage Group Holdings Ltd. S&P cites projections that gross premiums written will continue to increase to…

Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / PlayerFM  The future of the Federal Reserve’s independence will come into clearer focus this week as the central bank will likely lower interest rates for the first time since December 2024, potentially paving the way for more cuts this year as the labor market weakens and prices keep rising. But all eyes will be on who votes for a rate cut after the President fired Fed Governor Lisa Cook and appointed Stephan Miran, his former Chair of Economic Advisers. Claudia Sahm, a former Fed economist, helps us understand the importance of this week’s meeting, the future of the…

(Investing) – The oil market is anticipated to a see a “big surplus” from the fourth quarter onwards, driven in large part by the return of OPEC+ producer group barrels over the next 12 months, according to analysts at HSBC. In a note to clients, the strategists led by Kim Fustier forecast a surplus growing from 600,000 barrels per day in the second quarter to 1.7 million barrels per day in the final three months of 2025 and 2.4 million barrels per day in 2026. These comments come after a monthly report from the International Energy Agency last week said world…