Author: Money Mechanics

Cathie Wood, chief of Ark Investment Management, likes to trade around earnings season. Sometimes, Wood adds or sells stocks right after their earnings. Sometimes, she makes moves days ahead of results, betting on potential gains. That’s what she just did, buying shares of a megacap tech firm ahead of its earnings next week. In 2025, the flagship Ark Innovation ETF gained 35.49%, far outpacing the S&P 500’s return of 17.88% in the same period. So far this year, Wood’s flagship Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) is up 1.84% year to date, while the S&P 500 surged 4.27%, Yahoo Finance data shows.…

Takeaways The market is trading resolution, not reality, with crude priced as if the endgame is already in motion Inventory draws and constrained flows suggest the system is far tighter than flat price implies The real inflection point is shut-ins, where disruption shifts into structural supply loss and forces a repricing When the Tanks DrainSomething wasn’t lining up in the oil tape. had sat comfortably in the high 90s through most of a 7 week war, trading as if peace had already been priced in, right up until that overnight jolt higher when the street began to work through the…

U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C. Jeanine Pirro said her investigation of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will continue, even as it threatens to derail the nomination of his successor.After bitter acrimony with Powell over interest rates, President Donald Trump is eager to see his Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh take over the role. But the investigation from Trump’s own DOJ leaves the transition at an impasse, with dimming hopes of the Senate confirming Warsh by May 15, when Powell’s term expires.If Warsh is not confirmed by May 15, Powell would remain as interim chair until a successor is confirmed. Powell…

Meta announced on Thursday an improved Meta Account system designed to make it easier for users to sign in and manage their Meta accounts and devices. Today, the Meta ecosystem has become so expansive that it almost feels unwieldy — users might have various different accounts and log-ins for Facebook, WhatsApp, Meta AI glasses, and more. While the Accounts Center already serves to streamline this experience, the Meta Account system aims to simplify it further. The comapny says this new system will roll out over the next year. With a Meta Account, users can choose to set up a single…

Missouri is moving toward a major tax decision that could be decided by voters: whether to essentially eliminate the state income tax and replace much of that revenue with higher sales taxes.The stakes are significant. Missouri’s individual income tax raises roughly $8.5 billion to $9 billion each year — about 60% to 65% of state general revenue — and is the largest source of funding for schools, public safety, and core state services. If the income tax is phased out, most of that revenue would likely be replaced through expanded reliance on sales taxes.Missouri’s move comes as several other states,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stepping away from work to take care of a loved one is a selfless act, but even a temporary pause can bring long-term financial consequences.Whether it’s raising children, caring for elderly parents or taking care of a spouse who is sick, that responsibility often falls on women. In 2025, 61% of family caregivers were women, compared to 38% of men, according to AARP.In addition to the increased physical and emotional pressure of caregiving, 19% of women say they’ve experienced financial strain, compared to 16% of men. That’s where long-term planning becomes crucial. Without a plan, recovering from…

In 2026, frugality might feel to some more like a survival strategy than a lifestyle choice. A recent survey by price comparison site, Lenspricer, found that people across the country are adopting “broke behaviors,” from skipping delivery fees to delaying purchases, to cope with the rising cost of living.The online survey of just over 3,000 adult U.S. respondents highlights an interesting trend. People across the country are making strategic (though often small) adjustments to fine-tune their spending and hopefully save money in the long run.Yet the real “win” may not be just saving $5 on a pickup order; it’s leveraging…

(Image credit: Getty Images)College graduation season is approaching, so a lot of new professionals will soon hear this timeless financial adage: Pay yourself first.It’s simple and smart. Make saving and investing a priority before everything else claims your paycheck. But it’s only part of the picture.Building a strong financial life often comes down to three habits that reinforce one another: Pay yourself first, pay attention to your career and, eventually, pay it forward to others. 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For decades, investors have searched for one thing above all else when choosing a financial advisor: Advice they can trust.Yet the financial advice industry has long struggled with a structural challenge. Many advisors are compensated through commissions for selling financial products such as mutual funds, insurance policies or annuities.When compensation depends on the products recommended, a natural question arises for investors: Is this advice truly objective, or is it influenced by how the advisor gets paid? 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…

Maryland is set to become the first state to ban surveillance pricing as the legislature passed the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act this month. Introduced by Gov. Wes Moore in January, the act aims to prevent grocers and third-party apps like delivery services from using surveillance data and dynamic pricing in Maryland grocery stores. It also imposes steep penalties for businesses caught engaging in these practices, including a first-time fine of up to $10,000.”Marylanders deserve to know that the price they see on the shelf is the price they will pay at the register,” said Moore in a press release.…