Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The median valuation for 2025’s IPO cohort has been just 25% higher than their highest private market figures compared to the 100%-plus premiums fetched in 2020 and 2021, PitchBook data show.The majority of the seven tech unicorns that went public this year listed at valuations lower than their high private market figures.This year’s group also showed relatively stronger financials. Getting a venture capital-backed unicorn through this year’s initial public offering window has been like trying to get a camel through the eye of a needle—impossible without a bit of humility. Though broad market indexes are hovering near all-time…

In today’s dynamic investment landscape, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have evolved beyond simple index tracking to offer investors powerful tools for pursuing aggressive returns. Aggressive approaches typically involve higher turnover, leverage, or concentrated positions that can magnify both gains and losses. Aggressive strategies are generally best suited for experienced investors with high risk tolerance and the ability to actively monitor and adjust their positions. Key Takeaways Aggressive ETF strategies can offer high returns but come with higher risk.These aggressive strategies include using a high amount of leverage and seeking short exposure during market declines.ETFs can also be used aggressively in sector…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. August 26, 2025 Minutes of the Board’s discount rate meetings on July 21 and July 30, 2025 For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday released the minutes from its recent meetings to review and determine the discount rates provided to depository institutions through the discount window. Today’s minutes cover the Board meetings that occurred on July 21 and July 30, 2025. The Board’s process for setting the discount…

Schloss Wachenheim has warned the German wine group’s annual revenue and earnings will come in below forecasts laid out in May. The sparkling wine producer said it expects to have generated revenue of €447.4m ($520.4m) in the year to 30 June, an increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. However, in May, it had been forecast Schloss Wachenheim would see its annual revenue rise by “around 4%. The number of bottles the company sold throughout the year – converted to 0.75-litre bottles – increased by 1.2% to 224.1m. Schloss Wachenheim’s operating profit is anticipated to have dropped 3.5% on…

Nephila, one of the world’s largest and longest-standing insurance-linked securities (ILS) managers, has made changes at the leadership level, with Jessica Laird promoted to become CEO of Nephila Capital, as one of its co-founders, Frank Majors, steps back from the top team to focus on portfolio construction.Frank Majors co-founded Nephila back in 1997 alongside Greg Hagood. For almost 30 years the pair have shared the Co-CEO seat at Nephila, leading the company through numerous market cycles and important developments such as its acquisition by and integration with Markel. In recent years, the business has been preparing for leadership transition, with…

Key Takeaways YouTube threatened to shut off Fox programming from its YouTube TV streaming service unless a new contract is reached.The unit of Alphabet’s Google said the blackout would come at 5 P.M. ET tomorrow and affect programming including Fox Sports, News, and Business.YouTube argued Fox is asking for too much money. YouTube said it will shut off Fox (FOXA) programming, including Fox Sports, from its YouTube TV streaming service unless a new contract is reached by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time tomorrow. The threat came just days before Week 1 of the new college football season and the first game…

Key Takeaways Your credit report includes your personal details, information about your credit accounts, inquiries, and any public records. You can check for errors by requesting copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Errors are commonly the result of data entry mistakes, identity theft, or fraud. Report errors immediately by filing a dispute in writing with the credit bureau. Your credit report is like a financial report card that details how you’ve managed your debts in the past, and lenders use it to gauge how much of a risk you’ll be in the future.…

Key Takeaways U.S. equities were little changed at midday as the market had little news that would move stocks very much either way.Eli Lilly said its weight-loss pill met primary and key secondary endpoints in a Phase 3 study.Constellation Brands was downgraded by Bank of America on concerns about beer sales. U.S. equities were little changed at midday on limited market-driving corporate earnings news and economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all moved by small amounts.  Eli Lilly (LLY) was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 when the drugmaker announced positive results from a…

Editor’s Note: The future prices of benchmark tracking ETFs, the lede, and the latest economic releases were updated in the story.U.S. stock futures tumbled on Tuesday following Monday’s lower close. Futures of major benchmark indices were lower.While durable-goods orders in July fell by 9.3%, the decline was smaller than the 10.4% drop that had been forecasted. This follows a significant 16.5% increase in orders back in June.The futures decline followed President Donald Trump‘s firing of Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, on Monday.Cook was removed from her position, citing what Trump referred to as “deceitful…

Accessible Keys for Video [Space Bar] toggles play/pause; [Right/Left Arrows] seeks the video forwards and back (5 sec ); [Up/Down Arrows] increase/decrease volume; [M] toggles mute on/off; [F] toggles fullscreen on/off (Except IE 11); The [Tab] key may be used in combination with the [Enter/Return] key to navigate and activate control buttons, such as caption on/off. Revised version: July 15, 2025 Governor Barr’s remarks on financial inclusion were updated on July 15, 2025, to add and remove language inadvertently omitted and included in the published version. Thank you, Eric; thank you to the Fed staff who have organized this second…