Author: Money Mechanics

Oil prices have skyrocketed this year. Brent oil, the global benchmark, has surged more than 75% to over $105 a barrel. Meanwhile, WTI, the primary U.S. oil price benchmark, has jumped to nearly $95 a barrel. The rapid rise in oil prices due to the war with Iran likely has you wondering if now’s a good time to invest in oil stocks. Here’s a head-to-head comparison of Chevron (NYSE: CVX) and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY). Will AI create the world’s first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an “Indispensable Monopoly” providing the critical technology…

Iran war news, oil price swings, global bond yields will be in focus this week. Ondas is the “buy” for those seeking high-risk, high-reward catalysts heading into earnings. PDD is the “sell” pick, as slowing growth and regulatory threats outweigh near-term upside, especially into its Q4 results. U.S. stocks tumbled on Friday, with the closing at its lowest level in six months, as the Middle East conflict kept oil prices elevated and reinforced inflation worries and the potential for higher interest rates. Source: Investing.com The major averages posted their fourth losing week in a row. The 30-stock dropped 2.1%, the…

(World Oil) – Missile strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City are expected to have a prolonged impact on global LNG supply, with recovery timelines now likely to extend well beyond initial expectations, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie. The attacks damaged key infrastructure, including the Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility and multiple LNG trains, following earlier disruptions that had already halted production. Qatar declared force majeure in early March, removing approximately 80 MMtpa of LNG supply—nearly 20% of global availability—from the market. Early projections had assumed a relatively swift restart, with full production ramping up within weeks. However, Wood Mackenzie now…

(Image credit: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)The market for initial public offerings (IPOs) is off to a slow start in 2026, with the pipeline pressured by broad risk-off sentiment, skittishness around all things artificial intelligence (AI) and geopolitical uncertainty.According to Renaissance Capital, 48 IPOs have been filed this year through March 20, down more than 21% from the year prior. And 33 offerings have been priced, a 23% drop from 2025.The IPO market regained its footing in 2025, but it’s still far from the levels seen in 2021, says Kaush Amin, head of private market investing at U.S. Bank.Article…

The precious metals market dipped a bit today, and the rallied.  A corrective rally (lasting between a few days and two weeks) in the precious metals market is likely, in my view, and in this free article, I’ll explain one of the reasons. Please take a look at the chart below featuring the USD Index.How Long Will This Rally in Gold and Silver Take? The vertical, dashed lines represent the . There are two things that stand out: After the rate decision, the USD Index tends to move sharply. Sometimes up, sometimes down, but those reactive moves are similar in…

The average rate for an ARM so far this month is 5.51%, compared with a 6.19% average for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.  The typical homebuyer using an ARM takes on a monthly payment of $2,578, down 7% from last year.  Today’s ARM discount is big enough that buyers should talk to their lender about whether it’s the right option for them. ARMs aren’t nearly as risky as they once were; they come with interest-rate caps and protection for borrowers.  The typical homebuyer would save $150 per month taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage instead of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.…

ZDNET’s key takeaways Pros: Removes personal info from data brokers, ongoing monitoring, easy setup Cons: Some features locked behind higher tiers, can’t clean certain data Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Whether you realize it or not, your personal information is likely somewhere online. Massive data breaches over the years have poured millions of records onto the wider internet. It’s also no secret that some companies collect user data and sell it to data brokerage sites. If you’re like me and don’t want these third parties having your information, you may want to invest in a data removal service.Very…

(Image credit: Getty Images)In my work helping people think through retirement planning decisions, I often see people focus heavily on preparing their tax return but spend very little time reviewing it afterward.By the time tax season ends, most people treat the document like a receipt: They file it, save a copy somewhere and move on.But your tax return can actually be one of the most useful financial planning reviews you receive each year.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…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When I ask people what worries them most about retirement, the answer is almost always the same: They fear a market crash. Years of headlines and volatility have conditioned many investors to believe that market risk is the primary threat to their future.In reality, the greatest retirement risk is not the market at all — it’s uncertainty.Not knowing whether your income will lastNot planning for taxes or health care costsNot having a clear, coordinated strategyThese unknowns can quietly undermine even a sizable portfolio, often faster than a temporary market downturn.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you’re retiring in the next 12 months, you have a lot to be concerned about — volatile markets, dropping interest rates and a midterm election year.But it’s not the markets or the politicians that affect your retirement the most — it’s the decisions you make in the final year before you retire.Decisions, like Social Security, which are basically irreversible. And decisions, like how much you plan to spend and when you adjust your investments, that will determine which path your retirement takes.Article continues below From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better…