Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Future)For the fourth year, we’re pleased to present the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. In a survey we conducted on Kiplinger.com in January and February, more than 4,200 readers rated the financial products and services they use in 13 categories, from credit cards and banks to brokers, wealth managers and annuity providers. The results here offer valuable insight into the everyday experiences that Kiplinger readers have with their financial providers.Respondents made their judgments on such criteria as their interactions with customer service, the likelihood they would recommend the product or service to others, and their overall…

(Image credit: Future)For the fourth year, we’re pleased to present the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. In a survey we conducted on Kiplinger.com in January and February, more than 4,200 readers rated the financial products and services they use in 13 categories, from credit cards and banks to brokers, wealth managers and annuity providers. The results here offer valuable insight into the everyday experiences that Kiplinger readers have with their financial providers.Respondents made their judgments on such criteria as their interactions with customer service, the likelihood they would recommend the product or service to others, and their overall…

(Image credit: Future)For the fourth year, we’re pleased to present the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. In a survey we conducted on Kiplinger.com in January and February, more than 4,200 readers rated the financial products and services they use in 13 categories, from credit cards and banks to brokers, wealth managers and annuity providers. The results here offer valuable insight into the everyday experiences that Kiplinger readers have with their financial providers.Respondents made their judgments on such criteria as their interactions with customer service, the likelihood they would recommend the product or service to others, and their overall…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The Senate is on track to confirm Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair by Friday, May 15. That’s when Powell’s term as Fed chair is scheduled to expire. And President Donald Trump would like Warsh to cut interest rates as soon as June 16-17, at the next Fed meeting.But decisions about the federal funds rate are made by a committee. And the Fed chair is just one of 12 voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee. The FOMC includes the seven members of the board, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of…

Actress Cameron Diazhas welcomed her third child with husband Benji Madden, nearly two years after she reemerged on the Hollywood scene following an 11-year hiatus from acting—a period that she described as the “best years” of her life.Diaz, 53, and Madden, 47, who wed in 2015, announced the arrival of their baby boy in an Instagram post shared by the Good Charlotte rocker, who revealed that they have named their son Nautas, a name that means “one who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.” Sharing a “character” card for his son which featured an image of a…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks closed lower Monday and oil prices climbed on escalating tensions in the Middle East. Market participants also took a cautious stance ahead of another busy week of corporate earnings and Friday’s key jobs report.Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said via Truth Social that the U.S. will begin guiding ships out of the Strait of Hormuz that have been stranded there during the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran.”This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran,” Trump wrote in his post. “Many…

(Image credit: Kevin Carter / Contributor)When Spirit Airlines declared bankruptcy in August of last year, travelers already began to suspect that the budget carrier might not be long for this world. After a prolonged restructuring process and a failed attempt at securing a $500 million government bailout, Spirit Airlines officially announced that it would cease operations altogether on May 2.The news has been met with conflicting reactions among flyers. The airline didn’t exactly have a stellar reputation for customer service. The unbundled fares often left passengers feeling like the low prices were a bait and switch as they ended up…

American Express Global Business Travel agreed to be acquired by Long Lake Management in an all-cash deal valued at $6.3 billion, the companies said Monday. Shareholders will receive $9.50 per share under the terms of the offer, a 60.2% premium over the stock’s May 1 closing price, with Long Lake drawing on backing from General Catalyst and Alpha Wave. Amex GBT stock rose 57% in pre-market trading Monday. Regulatory approvals must be secured before the deal can be completed, with both companies targeting a closing date sometime in the latter half of 2026. The deal will take Amex GBT private…

In-brief analysis May 4, 2026 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Coal Distribution Report and Quarterly Coal Distribution ReportNote: The 2025 data points are annualized using the four quarters of preliminary 2025 data from the Quarterly Coal Distribution Report. The Annual Coal Distribution Report provides detailed information about domestic coal distribution by, coal-origin state coal-destination state, consumer category, and method of transportation. It also summarizes foreign coal distribution by coal-producing state. The volume of coal delivered in the United States for uses other than power generation—primarily, for manufacturing—decreased by about half…

Sell in May loses relevance as this year sets up differently. Franklin Templeton backs staying invested as history favors recovery. UBS bets on Nasdaq 100 over Euro Stoxx 50 with a clear upside case. Investor SentimentBullish sentiment, or expectations of higher stock prices over the next six months, fell 7.9 percentage points to 38.1%, though it remains slightly above its long-term average of 37.5%.Bearish sentiment, or expectations of lower stock prices, rose 5.3 percentage points to 39.7% and stays well above its historical average of 31%.The gap between bullish and bearish sentiment remains below its long-term average of 6.5%.Why the…