Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Today’s best CDs still offer guaranteed rates of 4.50% to 4.60% on terms up to 12 months. You can also lock in returns in the lower-4% range for as long as 5 years. That’s especially valuable now, with the Fed expected to cut rates this week—which will push savings and CD yields lower. Attractive CD offers can evaporate overnight, so if one fits your goals, the smart move is to act today. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. CDs Paying 4.5% and More Are Still on the Table Some banks and credit unions are…

For Gen Xers entering their 50s, downsizing isn’t just a matter of square footage; it’s about freeing up cash flow, reducing stress, and preparing for a confident retirement. But the right timing depends on more than just age. Many Gen Xers still carry mortgages and are managing rising costs. The average monthly mortgage payment exceeds $2,300, squeezing budgets as retirement nears. As adult children move out and lifestyle needs change, downsizing to a smaller home can be a practical way for Gen Xers to better align their retirement living arrangements with their financial goals. Key Takeaways Downsizing can reduce financial…

Two tech companies—a database software company and a cybersecurity firm—are now on a stock-picking “best ideas” list. Analysts at Wedbush on Monday added MongoDB (MDB) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW), the software and cybersecurity outfits, respectively, to their 14-company list, citing their potential to benefit from booming artificial intelligence demand. The analysts raised their target for MongoDB’s stock to $400 from $300, setting one of the highest targets among analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha and well above Monday’s close near $334. “We believe MDB has barely scratched the surface of its growth potential given the benefits from AI are still…

Key Takeaways Elon Musk purchased some 2.57 million Tesla shares last week, sending the stock higher—and into positive territory for the year—in Monday trading.The CEO’s investment was worth approximately $1 billion, according to regulatory filings.The move is seen as a sign Musk is more focused on Tesla and its move into artificial intelligence. Shares of Tesla climbed Monday, lifted by the news that CEO Elon Musk purchased some $1 billion worth of the electric vehicle maker’s stock. Tesla’s (TSLA) shares finished the day up 3.6% to around $410, pulling back a bit from earlier prices above $425. The move pulled…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve is likely to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point to a range of 4% to 4.25%, but that is far short of the massive rate cuts President Donald Trump has demanded.In a social media post on Monday, Trump said Fed Chair Jerome Powell should make a rate cut “bigger than he had in mind.”Trump has said the Fed should cut rates by at least three percentage points, six times as large a cut as the Fed is expected to make. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its key interest rate Wednesday, but…

Key Takeaways President Trump has repeatedly attacked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this year, even suggesting he could fire him. A new study links prediction markets and stock prices to estimate the potential market fallout if Powell were fired. Researchers focused on a two-hour window on July 16, between the initial reports suggesting Powell might be fired and Trump’s eventual denial of those reports. Firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could wipe as much as $1.5 trillion from the stock market, according to new research linking President Donald Trump’s threats to fire Powell to real-time market losses. Babson College researchers…

Key Takeaways More than 40% of Americans say they feel uncertain about retirement.There are important things to keep in mind when planning retirement that can help curb anxiety.Choosing consistency over perfection, finding part-time work, and seeking help can make the process less stressful. For many people, retirement presents a lot of questions: How much they will need, when they can retire, if it is even possible, and so on. That’s a lot of stress, especially after working for decades to make it happen. A new survey from financial services organization Thrivent found that more than 40% of Americans say they…

Key Takeaways AI demand and planned price hikes helped lift data storage stocks on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, while an analyst downgrade pressured a packaged food player.Shares of data storage providers Seagate Technology and Western Digital gained ground, boosted by optimism around AI-driven demand.J.M. Smucker shares declined after Argus analysts downgraded stock, noting that price increases were weighing on sales volume. Shares of two data storage providers were among the top performers in the benchmark index to kick off the trading week on signs of booming demand for artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, shares of a major packaged food company came under…

As of Sept. 15, 2025, two stocks in the consumer staples sector could be flashing a real warning to investors who value momentum as a key criteria in their trading decisions.The RSI is a momentum indicator, which compares a stock’s strength on days when prices go up to its strength on days when prices go down. When compared to a stock’s price action, it can give traders a better sense of how a stock may perform in the short term. An asset is typically considered overbought when the RSI is above 70, according to Benzinga Pro. Here’s the latest list…

In examining the weekly continuation chart, a clear vibrational pattern emerges around the September window. By anchoring both the 30-day short-term trading cycle and the 360-day long-term cycle to September 28, we uncover a repeating rhythm of corrective lows that shape the trajectory of the market. This confluence of time and price geometry has historically provided traders with high-probability opportunities to identify pivot points and position ahead of significant trends. I’ve overlaid the Square of 9 resistance projections onto your gold chart, anchored from the Sep 2025 low (~3500): Sep 2025 Low (red dashed vertical line) → pivot anchor at…