Author: Money Mechanics

are exhibiting a powerful mean reversion rally, confirming the strength of the VC PMI framework as price accelerates from the Buy 1 ($4629) and Buy 2 ($4572) levels. The market has now decisively reclaimed the VC PMI Daily Mean at $4688 and is trading above the Sell 1 Daily level at $4745, signaling a transition into bullish price momentum. This shift indicates that the market has moved from a neutral-to-bearish corrective phase into an expansion phase, where higher resistance levels become the next targets The immediate upside objective is the Sell 2 Daily level at $4804, which is now being…

March HighlightsU.S. Index OptionsIndex options Average Daily Volume (ADV) reached a record 6.9 million index options contracts in March, rounding out a record first quarter. ADV in the first quarter of 2026 was 6.1 million.SPX Record VolumesS&P 500 Index Options (SPX) had a record monthly ADV of 5.4 million contracts.March 31 set the third highest volume day on record with 6.35 million contracts traded.XSP Record VolumesMini S&P 500 Index Options (XSP) set a new monthly ADV record of 222,000 thousand contracts.CBTX Record VolumesCboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index Options (CBTX) had a record monthly ADV with 1,200 contracts traded.March 31 set…

For a risk-averse investor, Blackstone has what could be seen as an irresistible offer. Back its flagship buyout fund and expect a paper return of 11 per cent after fees in six years. But opt for a vehicle that buys ostensibly safer, diverse pools of stakes in other private equity funds, and notch up a 19 per cent return in just four. That discrepancy is core to the appeal of private capital’s exploding secondaries market, where investors back ageing assets rather than funding new deals.Secondaries transactions reached $240bn globally last year according to investment bank Jefferies, a sixfold increase in the space…

Thank you for the warm welcome. It is an honor to speak here at the University of Detroit Mercy.1 I spent most of my career as an economics professor before joining the Board of Governors, so I feel right at home when I am back on a university campus. This evening, I would like to start by updating you on my economic outlook. And since I have the privilege of being here in Detroit, a city synonymous with hard work, I will particularly focus on my labor market outlook. Next, I will discuss the possible implications of the outlook for…

Zurich, the European headquartered global re/insurance company, is now aiming to secure up to $150 million of US named storm and earthquake reinsurance protection from its Turicum Re Ltd. (Series 2026-1) issuance, while the price guidance has been lowered for the notes on offer, Artemis can report.Zurich was first seen as a sponsor in the cat bond market back in 2001, and went on to return a number of times up to its last Lakeside Re issuance in late 2012, according to our records in the Artemis Deal Directory. Then, after more than 13 years, Zurich made its return to the catastrophe…

Jada Jones/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Sony, Bose, and Apple have all released the latest generation of their over-ear headphones within the past year. With Apple’s release of the AirPods Max 2, the trifecta is complete. If you’re ready to upgrade your over-ear headphones and are weighing your options between Sony’s WH-1000XM6, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), and Apple’s AirPods Max 2, you have some serious decisions to make. Also: I replaced my Sony WH-1000XM6 with the AirPods Max 2 for a week – and didn’t miss a beatI’ve worn all three, and each has its own…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – As conflict in the Middle East disrupts traditional flows, Russia is quietly repositioning itself to capture new openings in global energy trade. Officials in Moscow have pointed to the shifting landscape as an opportunity, less about replacing lost barrels and more about redirecting them. When established routes tighten, trade does not stop; it moves. And Russia, already operating outside many Western frameworks, is structured to adapt quickly. That flexibility is showing up in multiple ways. Russia’s crude and LNG flows continue to find alternative buyers, particularly across Asia, where demand remains strong, and price…

Key Takeaways The IRS sets AFRs to prevent below-market personal loans from being treated as gifts.Different AFRs apply based on loan duration: short-term, mid-term, and long-term.Failing to charge AFR on loans can lead to additional taxes and penalties. What Is the Applicable Federal Rate (AFR)? According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), private loans must charge a minimum interest rate known as the applicable federal rate (AFR), published monthly by the IRS. Since private loans can vary by term length, the IRA publishes several AFRs by loan type. How the IRS Determines the Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) The Internal Revenue…

Key Takeaways Dot plots are used to visually represent data trends and groupings.Cleveland and Wilkinson dot plots are the two main types.In a dot plot, each value is represented as a dot to show distribution.The FOMC uses dot plots to indicate members’ interest rate projections.Dot plots work best for smaller data sets due to easier dot management. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. What Is a Dot Plot? A dot plot is a simple form of data visualization that consists of data points plotted as dots on a graph with an x- and y-axis. These…

Key Takeaways: Current assets are convertible to cash within one year.They include cash, receivables, inventory, and securities.Current assets demonstrate a company’s short-term liquidity.They are listed under assets on the balance sheet.The current ratio measures a company’s short-term financial health. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Investopedia / Matthew Collins What Constitutes Current Assets? Current assets are found on a company’s balance sheet. They are resources that a company will convert into cash, use, or sell within one year. These assets, such as cash, accounts receivable, and inventory, measure liquidity and a company’s ability to meet…