Author: Money Mechanics

(Oil Price) – The oil-driven inflation shock rippling through global markets is now forcing a sharp rethink of U.S. monetary policy, with traders rapidly shifting from rate-cut expectations to pricing in potential hikes as crude continues to surge on Middle East supply disruptions. According to Bloomberg, markets are reassessing the Federal Reserve’s path as energy-driven inflation risks intensify. Fed funds futures now indicate a 50% probability that benchmark rates will be higher by at least 25 basis points after the September FOMC meeting, marking a decisive reversal from expectations just weeks ago that centered on multiple rate cuts. The shift is being driven…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.A rout in the gilt market deepened on Monday as traders bet the Bank of England would have to raise interest rates four times this year to counter surging energy prices.The 10-year gilt yield climbed 0.11 percentage points on Monday morning to 5.1 per cent, keeping borrowing costs at their highest level since 2008.Since the conflict in the Middle East began, the 10-year yield has risen by around 0.85 percentage points, putting gilts on track for their worst month since the “mini”…

US dollar tests key 100 level as momentum builds on macro support. A break above 100 could trigger further upside toward 101.5 and beyond. Failure to hold 99.30 may signal short-term weakness despite strong fundamentals.   The Fed has helped the become strong again over the past week. The greenback has been rising because the Fed is staying cautious on , US bond yields are moving higher, and investors are turning to the US dollar as a safe place during global tensions. The Fed kept interest unchanged, which markets expected. But its message was clear that risks are still present.…

AI-generated image for “investor watching lit bomb.” Perchance.org U.S. stock and bond markets are ‘resilient,’ but how long can that last? By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Feeling a bit of financial panic? Can’t blame you. But let’s take a closer look. The U.S. stock market had started a slight decline before the U.S. began bombing Iran on February 28. Since then, the Standard & Poors 500 index has suffered four straight weeks of declines, its longest losing streak since 2023, according to Barron’s. The Nasdaq Composite has fallen in nine of the past 10 weeks, something it hasn’t done since 2022.…

When sellers outnumber buyers, the buyers who are in the market have bargaining power. In other words, it’s a buyer’s market. The strongest buyer’s markets are in the South, while the strongest seller’s markets are in the Northeast. There were an estimated 46.3% more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in February (or 629,808 more, in numerical terms). That’s the largest gap in records dating back to 2013 and is up from 29.8% (or 449,409) a year earlier.   We define a market where there are over 10% more sellers than buyers as a buyer’s market and…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Editor’s note: This is the first article of a six-part series about financial planning related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), with a focus on getting the right financial advice for you, strategies for diversifying and preparing for retirement.He had $14 million when he retired. A successful employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) exit, real estate investments and decades of disciplined saving built wealth that should have lasted generations.Then a lawsuit wiped out $3.2 million because his umbrella policy maxed out at $2 million.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For decades, building wealth meant buying stocks and bonds, preferably diversified and held for the long term. That advice still holds.But investors are asking a new question: Is a portfolio made up only of public markets enough?From pension funds and endowments to high-net-worth investors and, potentially, retirement savers in 401(k)s — private assets are moving from the sidelines toward the mainstream.Article continues below 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Investors drawn to gold for its reputation as a safe-haven asset may understandably be disappointed lately.As the conflict in Iran escalates and surging energy prices stoke fears of inflation, it feels like this should be the yellow metal’s time to shine.Instead, gold has recently fallen over 10% from its all-time high earlier this year. The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is down nearly twice that much.Article continues below 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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The financial allure of moving to a new state for tax relief is real, but the challenges and pitfalls are substantial. Successful state residency planning is less about counting days on a calendar and more about shifting the ‘center of gravity’ of your life. If you plan on following the crowds to popular no or low-income-tax states, such as South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and Florida, you’ll need a plan. Because tax authorities in high-tax states, including California, New York, and Massachusetts, will be watching.While the 183-day rule provides a clear numerical threshold, tax auditors will gather data…

This 1913 Liberty Head Nickel sold in 2018 for $4.5 million.(Image credit: Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries)Kathryn McMiller and her siblings inherited dozens of collections from their parents, including coins, stamps, fly swatters and more than 400 vintage toothpick holders. There may be significant value in some of those items, but determining how much and how to monetize them is a chore that has dragged on for years.“I wish they had got rid of this stuff a long time ago,” says McMiller, a retired expert in managing health information.For disciples of the Japanese de-cluttering guru Marie Kondo, disposing of such…