Author: Money Mechanics

Cboe Global Indices is a leader in the creation and dissemination of volatility and derivatives-based indices, offering services that span product design, calculation, administration, listing, trading and benchmark licensing. As the largest U.S. options exchange operator, Cboe’s pool of derivatives data and proprietary pricing algorithms enable its Global Indices team to develop complex index concepts that are central to Cboe’s ecosystem. Read on for a recap of the Cboe Global Indices launches and milestones achieved in the first quarter of 2026.Index Launches in Q1 2026Cboe Validus Russell 2000® Dynamic PutWrite Index (RUTD) | This index is a part of the…

As you approach retirement, you’re likely to reallocate some of your funds to less-risky investments, especially given market volatility. One smart option to consider that can earn you a healthy return without the risk is a jumbo CD.Jumbo CDs offer many advantages. First, you’ll earn rates as high as 4.35%, keeping you ahead of rising everyday costs — March’s CPI report showed inflation rose 3.3% year over year. Second, you don’t have to tie up your money for a long period of time. Most jumbo CDs come with terms from six months to one year.In turn, you can put some…

The red-hot real estate market of the past few years has cooled somewhat, and buyers now have more options. That shift puts more pressure on sellers to make a strong first impression, especially if you want your home to sell quickly.Today’s buyers are more prepared. Many are touring homes with a clear checklist in hand. In fact, Redfin notes that buyers often rely on house hunting checklists to compare features, condition and overall value. That means your home needs to check the right boxes from the start.The good news: You don’t need a full remodel to stand out. A handful…

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday she intends to propose a new tax on New York City second homes worth $5 million or more, reviving a long-debated idea as pressure builds to raise revenue from the city’s wealthiest residents.“As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on,” Gov. Hochul shared via statement. “If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.” Her intent was first reported by the New York Times.It’s…

We researched and reviewed more than 250 banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to find the best CD rates you see above on this list. While we write individual reviews for many banks and credit unions, giving you a good overview of the banking services they provide, we do not have published reviews of every institution included in our rankings. Below are the banks, credit unions, and financial institutions we researched along with links to individual company reviews to help you learn more before making a decision:1st Source Bank, 5star Bank, ableBanking, Abound Credit Union, Achieva Credit Union, Affinity Federal…

Key Takeaways Student loan debt isn’t expected to threaten the financial health of the nation the way the Great Financial Crisis did.However, student loans delinquent or in default rose to 9.5% in Q4 2025 from 0.5% in Q4 2024.Student loan borrowers owed $1.69 trillion in federal student loan debt as of the end of 2025.The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was blocked by a federal appeals court in July 2024.The OBBBA ends SAVE by July 1, 2028. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The Great Financial Crisis feels like a lifetime ago, yet…

To help you understand what’s going on in business and the economy and what we expect to happen in the future, 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…Although the Iran war clouds the horizon, the aerospace industry remains optimistic about 2026. Aircraft demand — civilian and defense — remains robust and could even…

Company Best For AM Best Rating NAIC Complaint Index Maximum no-medical-exam coverage amount Penn Mutual Best Overall, Best for High Coverage A+ Much better than expected for company size $10 million Nationwide Best for Instant Decision, Best for Burial Insurance A+ Much better than expected for company size $5 million Thrivent Best for Financial Stability, Best for Customer Satisfaction A++ Much better than expected for company size $3 million Why You Should Trust Us Investopedia staff experts curated this list of the best no-medical-exam companies after analyzing data related to dozens of criteria from 45 companies. The criteria include each…

Ferrero today (15 April) confirmed the privately owned food giant is the subject of anti-trust inspections by the European Commission. On Monday, Brussels announced it had carried out “anti-trust” inspections at the premises of an unidentified chocolate company in two EU member states. Just Food had asked the Commission to confirm the identity of the company concerned and its country of origin, as well as the sites involved in the inspections and the timing. The request was declined. In a brief statement, Luxembourg-headquartered Ferrero, home to brands including Kinder Bueno and Nutella, said: “Ferrero is aware that on-site inspections are…

In-brief analysis April 15, 2026 Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyNote: Map includes some partial counties and shows both required and Opt-In RFG areas. In California all counties implement a version of the California Reformulated Gasoline Program, not just those required by the Clean Air Act. Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories are exempt from federal volatility regulations. RVP=Reid Vapor Pressure, RFG=Reformulated Gasoline, SIP=State Implementation Plan, AZ CBG=Arizona Clean Burning Gasoline, CA RFG=California Reformulated Gasoline Motor gasoline in the United States is a blend of hydrocarbons and chemicals, with specific formulas varying…