Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Nearly a quarter of adults approaching retirement are thinking about working longer, and more than half of early retirees between ages 45 and 60 are considering returning to work, a new study found.Reasons for delaying retirement range from emotional (wanting mental stimulation and purpose) to financial (wanting more savings and worrying about a volatile economy).Retirees who want greater financial flexibility but either don’t want to or can’t work full-time can also consider part-time work, freelancing, or developing a side hustle during retirement. If you are older than 50 and realizing retirement might be further away than originally planned,…

Strong quarterly results from Broadcom could signal strong competition for AI heavyweight Nvidia. Broadcom (AVGO) last week reported record quarterly sales that showed strong demand for its AI offerings and introduced a big new mystery customer reports suggested could be ChatGPT maker OpenAI. Citi analysts said the results and growing commitments from buyers—many which are also Nvidia (NVDA) customers—could suggest an estimated $12 billion hit to Nvidia’s 2026 sales.  Citi analysts on Monday maintained a “buy” rating on Nvidia stock but trimmed their target price to $200 from $210, citing concerns about threats to Nvidia’s dominance after Broadcom (AVGO) said…

Key Takeaways The S&P 500 added 0.2% on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, ahead of key inflation data set for release later in the week.Uber shares rose after the ridesharing giant said it will begin testing autonomous vehicles in Germany next year, in collaboration with self-driving tech partner Momenta.CVS shares fell after executives opted not to provide updated guidance or comment on upcoming Medicare Advantage star ratings at an investor conference. Major U.S. equities indexes ticked higher as markets kicked off a new trading week. Inflation is likely to remain in focus as investors look toward Thursday’s release of the latest…

This page examines the impact of notable tail events on the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX® Index). See a detailed analysis of volatility catalysts and how the VIX Index responded below.Volatility Catalyst: 9/11 AttacksBackground: The markets reopened after a four-day closure following the 9/11 attacks. When trading resumed, investors reacted to ongoing geopolitical unknowns, risks to national security and questions over economic fallout. In response to the 6.03% S&P 500 Index decline, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX® Index) increased 11.07 points from 33.87 to 44.94.Volatility Catalyst: Global Financial CrisisBackground: On October 22, 2008, turmoil in the global financial system — fueled…

Key Takeaways Customers who had a Capital One 360 Savings account between 2019 and 2025 are eligible for a payout covering lost interest. You don’t need to still have the account—but if you do, closing it by Oct. 2 could mean a significantly larger settlement check. Keeping the account past the deadline will still earn you compensation, but the payout will be smaller—and you’ll lose out on higher APYs elsewhere. Your settlement amount depends on how much money you held in the account and for how long. To maximize your payout, act before Oct. 2—and consider moving funds into a…

Key Takeaways Robinhood shares jumped Monday following news that the retail trading platform will be added to the benchmark S&P 500 index.The price broke out above a falling wedge pattern on Monday, indicating a continuation of the stock’s longer-term uptrend.Bars pattern analysis predicts a potential bullish price target of around $230 and indicates a new move higher could last until December this year.During pullbacks in the stock, investors should watch important support levels on Robinhood’s chart near $100, $78 and $67. Robinhood Markets (HOOD) shares soared Monday on news that the retail trading platform known for commission-free stock trading will…

Key Takeaways Before a CD matures, you have a short window to decide what to do with your funds. Miss it, and your money may be locked into a low rate and a new term you don’t want. With Fed rate cuts on the way, it’s smart to research options before the deadline so you can make a proactive decision that works for you. Even if you want another new CD, you can almost always earn much more by choosing one of today’s best CD rates instead of accepting the bank’s rollover offer. Need flexibility instead? Move some or all…

For markets, the question is no longer whether the Federal Open Market Committee will cut interest rates when it meets next week. Investors, traders and speculators now wonder how big the move will be at the next Fed meeting. They’ll look to this week’s incoming economic data, including fresh producer and consumer price numbers, for additional guidance.According to CME Group FedWatch, it is 100% certain Jerome Powell & Co. will trim the target range for the federal funds rate from 4.25% to 4.50%. The greater probability is 25 basis points, or 0.25%, at 88.2%. Recent action reflects rising belief in…

Key Takeaways Only 3.2% of retirees have $1 million in retirement accounts vs. about 2.6% of Americans in general. The average retirement savings for households aged 65-74 is $609,000, while the median is only about $200,000. The number of “401(k) millionaires” in America reached a record of about 497,000 last year. Many Americans dream of retiring with a million-dollar nest egg —Americans in general think you need about $1.5 million to retire—but the reality is starkly different. Using figures from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (updated to 2022 but released in 2025), only about 2.5% of all…

Mortgage rates made a big move lower Friday, and now it’s a matter of whether it holds through the week. According to Zillow, the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.20%. The 15-year fixed rate has fallen to 5.38%. If you can get a similar rate from a lender, this might be a good time to buy a house and lock in a relatively low rate. Read next: The best mortgage lenders for low and no down payments Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.20% 20-year fixed: 5.63% 15-year fixed: 5.38% 5/1…