Author: Money Mechanics

On July 29, the Federal Reserve announced its decision on interest rates following its two-day policy meeting. As expected, the central bank decided to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged in the 3.50%-3.75% range. Related: Bitcoin traders brace for Fed’s rate call and inflation this week Though the Fed’s newly appointed chair, Kevin Warsh, has emphasized the goal of lowering inflation to 2%, he hasn’t outlined a detailed plan. Earlier, President Donald Trump called Warsh “fantastic” and reiterated that the Fed should lower the rates, “He wants to do the right thing. I know what he wants to do.” But…

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026 (April, May, and June), according to the advance estimate released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.1 percent.The contributors to the increase in real GDP in the second quarter were increases in consumer spending, investment, and exports that were partly offset by a decrease in government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. For more information, refer to the “Technical Notes” below.Compared to the first quarter,…

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but the central bank’s latest policy decision could still have significant implications for household budgets.Higher energy prices stemming from the Iran conflict may have lasting inflationary effects, which likely contributed to the Fed’s decision to leave rates on hold as policymakers wait to gauge the economic fallout, economists said. The dynamic could also lead policymakers to consider raising rates at their September meeting, even as President Donald Trump has said that the U.S. “should have the lowest interest rate in the world.””It’s very difficult to read the chairman and know his view…

Maria Diaz/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysThe FCC has banned the sale and import of foreign-made robotic devices and power inverters. The ban includes vacuums and lawn mowers from the world’s largest robot manufacturers.Robots previously imported into the US are unaffected.Did the FCC just tell US consumers, No more Roombas for you? The Federal Communications Commission has banned the sale and import of foreign-produced robotic devices and power inverters as part of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan. The FCC claims that advanced robotic devices, such as robot vacuums and robot lawn mowers, pose a cybersecurity risk to US…

(BOE Report) – Shell and Phillips 66 are working on a potential sale of their stakes in the company which owns the Explorer refined products pipeline, in a deal that could value the major piece of U.S. energy infrastructure at around $3.5 billion, people familiar with the matter said. The move reflects how heightened demand for energy infrastructure assets, especially from financial buyers, has boosted valuations and encouraged existing owners to sell and reinvest proceeds in core or higher-growth parts of their businesses. Shell and Phillips 66 currently hold around 61% ownership of the legal entity which holds the pipeline,…

Article originally published at 9:25 a.m. CTJJ Kinahan is Senior Vice President, Head of Retail Expansion and Alternative Investment Products at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe).Key Takeaways:Investors look to buy the dips in early tradingMicrosoft leads tech rallyFed holds rates steady but miffs investorsThe markets look to be in recovery mode in early trading after Wednesday’s routing, which was triggered by a tech pullback and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and press conference.All three indices are tracking higher, with the Nasdaq Composite climbing 2.25%, regaining its footing after three days of declines put the index in official correction territory.…

Sometimes, punching the clock for the very last time can feel more unsettling than exciting, even if your biggest fear isn’t running out of money. Instead, it might be losing the daily structure, work friendships, or the purpose and identity that the workplace provided.The good news? There are both practical and psychological signs that you’re truly ready for retirement, and on your way to enjoying one of the best chapters of your life.Here are 8 key signs you’ll thrive in retirement — even if part of you is quietly panicking. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a…

You’ve probably spent real time getting your investment costs down. You moved out of a high-fee mutual fund years ago. You watch your expense ratios. That instinct has served you well.However, here’s the uncomfortable math: Shaving another 0.10% off an already-cheap portfolio might save you a few hundred dollars a year. A poorly timed Roth conversion, a missed tax-loss harvesting opportunity or a Medicare premium surcharge you didn’t see coming can cost you thousands in a single year, and the damage can compound for the rest of your retirement.Most investors have optimized fees about as far as they can go.…

Historically, summer is a quieter period for trading as market volumes slow down. But 2026 is breaking the rules. With recent tech-sector rotations and unexpected volatility shaking portfolios, putting your investments on autopilot right now could be a costly mistake.In fact, research shows that 86% of financial advisors ramp up tax management strategies during volatile periods, rather than waiting for a particular season, like year-end.And one of those employed strategies is tax-loss harvesting — selling underperforming investments to offset capital gains, or even ordinary income. Not only does this practice lock in paper losses early, but it positions your portfolio…

A lot of people get into real estate the same way my brother Brian and I did. You buy a few properties on the side, learn as you go and assume steady growth will come from owning real estate long enough.Before founding Roers Companies in 2012, we built a portfolio of about 20 residential and student housing properties near the University of Minnesota. It was a side venture we grew while working in finance — Brian as a CPA and me as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®).At the time, we knew our local market well and had a strong network,…