Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The job market showed signs of weakness, according to a pair of reports from private companies, with one indicating that hiring is on track to be its lowest for any year since the Great Recession.The data from ADP and Challenger, Gray & Christmas typically plays second fiddle to official government data, but that’s not being produced during the government shutdown that began on Wednesday.Officials at the Federal Reserve may need to rely on private data when deciding later this month whether to boost the job market by lowering interest rates. Reports from private companies painted a by-now-familiar picture…

Key Takeaways These six towns show that retirees can enjoy comfort and quality of life without breaking the bank. In fact, in four of the six counties featured, median home values are under $130,000—offering significant value for those seeking a peaceful retirement. From Gregory’s hunting traditions and Tryon’s equestrian scene to Parker’s lively senior center, each town offers distinct avenues for retirees to stay engaged, active, and connected to the community. Research shows that many Americans dream of spending their golden years in a small town, favoring the tranquillity of a slower pace over the relentless energy of big cities…

Key Takeaways Stellantis reported that its U.S. sales rose 6% in the third quarter compared with the year-earlier period, snapping a streak of eight consecutive quarters of sales declines.The Big Three automaker got a boost from demand for its Chrysler, Ram truck, and Jeep brands. Stellantis (STLA) shares jumped Thursday after the Big Three automaker reported that its U.S. sales rose in the third quarter, driven by demand for its Ram trucks, Chryslers and Jeeps. The company’s sales increased 6% from the year-ago period to 324,825 vehicles, snapping a streak of eight consecutive quarters of declining sales. Sales in September…

The dollar index (DXY00) today is down by -0.19% at a 1-week low. The shutdown of the US government today is weighing on the dollar.  The dollar added to its losses today on weakness in the US labor market, following the unexpected contraction of the September ADP employment change for a second consecutive month.  The weak labor market news also boosted the chances of a Fed rate cut at the October 28-29 FOMC meeting to 100% in the swaps market, a negative factor for the dollar.  Losses in the dollar are limited after the Sep ISM manufacturing index rose more than…

It’s like yesterday, but with an additional SELL signal for the miners. Here’s why:Shutdown Drama, Market RealityThat’s what I wrote on the – quoting: The fact that we did see the government shutdown doesn’t change that much. What matters is how long it will remained shut down. And I don’t think that this will happen for any reasonable amount of time. I view the current closure as a hard-ball negotiation pressure and… well, another part of the political theater. I fully expect this to be reversed any day now. And apparently, the markets are catching up to this as well.…

As we navigate through fluctuating economic conditions this year, one of the noteworthy trends has been the decline in municipal bond yields, which have dropped by an impressive 25 to 27 basis points. This shift has significant implications for investors, particularly those currently sitting on the sidelines in money markets. The Strength of Municipal Bonds Municipal bonds are often viewed as a cornerstone of a well-rounded investment portfolio. Their tax-exempt status makes them attractive to a variety of investors, and despite recent yield reductions, they remain a solid choice. The recent decline in yields shouldn’t deter investors; instead, it underscores…

Instead, Kortas hopes to lure large retail producers to the wholesale side by emphasizing the biggest advantage for both consumers and the loan officers: wholesale pricing. “We are a non-delegated correspondent lender, funding 60% with our own warehouse lines. We have the same mission as retail LOs — to serve borrowers — but we can serve them with wholesale rates,” Kortas said. “Retail or wholesale, it’s the same FHA loan… it’s just a matter of who’s making more money on the margin in between.” NEXA Lending can offer LOs 100% commission because of the way the company is structured, Kortas…

Yuichiro Chino/Moment via GettyFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysWith a bit of effort, you can elevate Linux’s desktop efficiency.These tips won’t cost you a penny and the results can be game-changing.You won’t have to be a Linux specialist to use these tips.I’ve worked with nearly every operating system currently on the market (and some no longer with us). Of all those operating systems, one stands way above the others in the category of efficiency. Don’t get me wrong, every OS excels in something, but with Linux, you can make it excel at just about everything. When I…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett’s 19.9% annual returns over 60 years show how buy-and-hold investing amplifies compounding through tax deferral. The Oracle of Omaha learned tax efficiency lessons from the Li’l Abner comic strip character’s quest to double his money 20 times. Berkshire Hathaway’s $681 billion after-tax gains versus $22,370 from frequent trading illustrate the massive cost of “tax drag.” Warren Buffett’s $26.8 billion tax payment in 2024—the largest corporate tax bill in U.S. history—represents roughly 5% of all federal corporate income taxes collected last year. But before becoming America’s biggest taxpayer, Buffett learned one of his most valuable lessons from…

(World Oil)– EnerMech has won a significant contract to provide subsea pre-commissioning and specialist services for a major offshore gas development in Australia’s East Browse basin. The work will support the second phase of the project’s installation campaign, scheduled between October 2025 and April 2026. The contract scope includes riser and umbilical services such as flooding, top-up, and leak testing of flexible risers, along with post-loadout and post-installation testing of dynamic umbilicals. Offshore activity will center on a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, with supporting work carried out across sites in Malaysia and Australia. “This is a significant gas…