Author: Money Mechanics

Lance Whitney/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysSiri AI is available by waitlist as a developer beta on supported devices.The new Siri is more useful than old Siri but still makes mistakes.Apple needs to improve accuracy and conversation flow.As an iPhone and Mac user, I’ve often complained about the many faults and flaws of Siri. That’s why I’ve been anxious to check out the new Siri AI that Apple touted at WWDC 2026 earlier this month.Also: Apple’s new Siri AI comes with hidden costs that power users should know ofAvailable by waitlist for supported devices with…

May 2026 HighlightsThe U.S. equities market volume increased in May after a pullback in April. Total Average Daily Volume (ADV) increased 8.87% to 19.4 billion shares. The increase in volatility brought investors back to displayed markets, with Cboe EDGX Equities Exchange (EDGX) benefitting. EDGX saw growth across retail trading, Quote Depletion Protection (QDP) and Retail Price Improvement (RPI) orders. Addressable market share increased to 8.6 billion shares, with Cboe’s market share growing to 21.1%.Cboe EDGX receives SEC Approval for 23×5 TradingCboe received Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval to launch 23×5 U.S. equities trading on its Cboe EDGX Equities Exchange…

Take time to plan your retirement spending, then go enjoy your retirement.gettyAre you worried about spending too much money in retirement and outliving your savings? Join the crowd: Almost half of surveyed pre-retirees and retirees report being anxious about drawing down their retirement savings, according to The Decumulation Planning Gap, a recent survey report by Coredbridge Financial. Furthermore, far more survey respondents say they’d regret running out of money while still alive (56%) than dying with money left over (6%).Forbes9 Ways Pre-Retirees And Retirees Can Address The Fear Of Running OutBy Steve VernonFortunately, the Corebridge report is rich with information…

“Fiduciary” may be one of the most overused words in the world of financial advisor marketing.Consumers hear it everywhere: Advisor websites, television ads, matching services, professional designations and trade association campaigns. The message sounds reassuring: “Trust me. I am a fiduciary.”But consumers should slow down. The word “fiduciary” does not always mean what you think it means. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of…

Imagine spending 40 years meticulously building a legacy, only to have it dismantled in 40 days because of a single, outdated signature.For many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), their estate plans are often their “set-it-and-forget-it” documents, and only a few realize that this is a remarkably costly oversight.It’s true that the initial signing of a will or trust feels like the end game, but a legacy plan actually functions like a high-performance engine that requires consistent tuning so it remains operational. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get…

While the daily news cycle can make anyone feel anxious about their nest egg, a quiet and highly strategic shift is underway within American retirement accounts. Rather than running to the sidelines or moving to cash when things get bumpy, seasoned savers are building up their balances and locking in long-term security. The latest data from Fidelity’s Q1 2026 retirement analysis shows that today’s pre-retirees are moving away from emotional, knee-jerk decisions and are instead focusing on steady discipline and smart tax planning.“Retirement savers started the year strong with record-high savings rates and contributions, reflecting the long-term approach they’re taking…

Gold (GC=F) August futures opened at $4,275.10 per troy ounce on Thursday, June 18, 2026, down 2.4% from Wednesday’s close of $4,381.40. The price of gold is rising slightly this morning, trading at $4,283.80 as of 6:58 a.m. ET. Last week, the price of gold opened below $4,100 for the first time since November 2025 following additional U.S. airstrikes against Iran the previous evening. This morning, the country wakes to a signed peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, designed to fast-track the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and set the stage for more in-depth negotiations over the next…

The Fed surprised markets by taking a more hawkish stance than expected, and the markets fell. Some stocks are better positioned to weather higher interest rates for a longer period. Discover nine opportunities well-positioned to outperform in this environment. Wall Street ended sharply lower on Wednesday, with selling accelerating into the close. The fell 1.34%, the lost 1.21%, the declined 0.97%, and the dropped 0.74%. The selloff followed the latest , which delivered an unwelcome surprise for investors. While the Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% during the first meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, the broader…

A recent paper from investment manager Neuberger Berman highlights catastrophe bonds as a “very compelling opportunity” for investors seeking genuine portfolio diversification, which comes at a time when macroeconomic uncertainty and risk-asset volatility are expected to remain in focus for the foreseeable future.The investment manager observes that demand for catastrophe bonds has continued to grow as investors continue to recognise the diversification benefits that they offer. Simultaneously, sponsors have also come to value capital markets as a reliable and complementary source of capacity, typically sitting alongside traditional reinsurance, the firm noted. “In our view, this growth is still very much…

The Federal Reserve and Chairman Kevin Warsh on Wednesday followed the script on interest rates closely, voting to keep the benchmark level steady, but dropped several surprises that kept markets guessing about where things are heading. Markets didn’t like it, with major averages swooning after the meeting and as Warsh spoke in his news conference.Here are the five biggest takeaways:No rate changes, but the hawks are circling: There were no apparent dissents to keep the federal funds rate targeted between 3.5%-3.75%. However, the “dot plot” of expectations further out showed an inclination towards a hike later this year. The Federal…