Author: Money Mechanics

To help you understand what is going on in business, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…Investors can’t get enough of AI start-ups. A record $70 billion was doled out to generative AI companies by venture capital firms and other investors in the first half of 2025, according to a recent report by…

I’ve long admired the popular Pacer U.S. Cash Cows exchange-traded fund (COWZ). Less well known is that Pacer employs its free cash flow and dividend strategy overseas. In a year when U.S. stocks lag European stocks, Latin American stocks, most Asian stocks and our own expectations, Pacer Developed Markets International Cash Cows 100 (ICOW) and Pacer Global Cash Cows Dividend (GCOW) are up 17% and 13%, respectively. (The first is 99% non-U.S. and the second is 75% foreign, hence the difference. “Global” funds include U.S. issues; “international” ones do not.)More to the point, the international ETF yields 4.4% and the…

Key Takeaways A government report released Friday could show August was another lackluster month for job growth. Economists expect U.S. employers added just 75,000 jobs during that time.Anything less than a surprising surge in job growth could reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September to boost the job market and prevent a surge of unemployment.Reports on the job market from private companies could get extra attention this month after last month’s report spurred questions about the quality and reliability of government data. The job market continued to sputter along in its recent low-hiring, low-firing limbo,…

Tech stocks might get the glory but long-term market beaters can be found in all sorts of places – even the oft-overlooked materials sector. Just take a gander at Sherwin-Williams (SHW).Believe it or not, shares in the world’s largest paint and coatings company by revenue have been an outstanding buy-and-hold bet for a very long time.Founded shortly after the Civil War, Sherwin-Williams went on to grow rapidly, especially throughout the 20th century. But it really hit its stride in the 1980s. That’s when a massive expansion of its retail base helped it become as familiar to consumers and do-it-yourself types…

What Nvidia’s Earnings Could Mean for Other Chipmakers 2 minutes ago As one of the primary beneficiaries of the AI boom, chipmaker Nvidia’s (NVDA) stock has become a bellwether for industry, with its quarterly results last week offering some clues about what to expect from Broadcom (AVGO) later this week, and other chipmakers.  Nvidia’s earnings came in just ahead of Wall Street’s estimates last week, disappointing the lofty expectations of many investors. Analysts remain confident in demand for its AI hardware, though worries about China sales and geopolitical issues have weighed on the stock. Shares of Nvidia were down more than 3% in…

Key Takeaways Amid concern McDonald’s isn’t always perceived as affordable, the company announced plans to bring back Extra Value Meals.The eight specials, slated to launch Sept. 8, will save consumers about 15%, McDonald’s said in a press release.The company’s recent focus on value will likely prompt competitors to deepen discounts, UBS analysts said. McDonald’s is desperate to reclaim its reputation as a value leader. Its latest tactic: reviving a promo from the 2010s. The company will launch Extra Value Meals, which cost 15% less than purchasing bundled items individually, on Sept. 8, McDonald’s (MCD) said Tuesday. The announcement comes weeks…

Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 28 in 2025) are all too familiar with complex financial challenges like student debt, rising living costs, and volatile job markets. Yet, despite these hurdles, only 1 out of 5 adults of this generation would turn to an expert for financial guidance, according to Investopedia’s 2025 American Dream Study. Let’s unpack the reasons behind Gen Z’s hesitation to seek professional financial help and explore how early guidance can have an outsized impact on your lifetime wealth and security. Key Takeaways Many Gen Z individuals turn to family, friends, and social media for advice due…

Key Takeaways U.S. equities dropped at midday after a federal appeals court ruled against President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, putting the future of the duties in question.Constellation Brands cut its outlook as beer on falling beer demand and the effect of tariffs.Activist investor Elliott Investment Management took a large stake in PepsiCo, and presented the board with ideas on lifting the share price. U.S. equities declined to start the month on uncertainty about the future of Trump administration tariffs. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq lost nearly 1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped as well. Constellation Brands (STZ) shares dipped…

You might think that tax law changes are “over and done” this time of year. After all, the GOP reconciliation legislation, nicknamed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB), establishes several provisions that all states must abide by. Right?Well, actually, some state lawmakers are already looking for ways to avoid some of the policy revisions enacted in the OBBB — and they might do so as early as their next state legislative session.For instance, while the OBBB phases out the federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit very soon, California officials are trying to enact a state EV tax break that could…

Private market investing is no longer reserved for institutions and ultra-wealthy families. As access improves and investor curiosity grows, financial advisors are increasingly expected to explain the pros and cons of investing outside of public markets. But this is not an area where simple talking points will do. Private markets can be complex, illiquid, and high-risk, so it is crucial that clients not only understand the basics but also have the right mindset going in. In this article, we will break down the fundamentals of private markets, explain how to assess client suitability, and outline how to have smarter, more…