Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Beaten-down shares—like the software and related stocks lately trading around fresh 52-week lows—aren’t as desirable as they may seem, some market experts say. Losers tend to keep losing, academic literature show. The classic refrain of “buy the dip” may sound like a siren song. The recent selloff in well-regarded software stocks may lead some investors to think it’s time to snap up seeming bargains. (Think companies like Adobe (ADBE), Salesforce (CRM), Intuit (INTU), and Workday (WDAY), all of which are trading around 52-week lows.) But should you leave them alone for now? Some Wall Street experts have recently…

Key Takeaways The sector rotation from tech leadership to defensive sector leadership has picked up steam in recent days amid a sell-off in software stocks, a development some experts were calling “healthy” on Wednesday. Accelerating earnings growth outside of the Magnificent Seven has taken some of the sheen off Big Tech stocks, pressuring the market’s largest stocks but buoying long-neglected corners of the market. It might be hard for investors to feel upbeat while the major indexes are being hammered by tumbling tech stocks. But that’s exactly how some experts are reacting to the rout. “I actually think what we’re…

(BOE Report)  – We all know people who seem to attract all the bad luck in life. Europe, facing both internal and external challenges, is starting to look like that unfortunate person. What the region needs now is clarity of purpose and a bold plan to achieve it. Some of the challenges Europe faces come from without, such as fraying Transatlantic ties with the U.S. and competitive pressures from China. Other difficulties stem from its own past policies and priorities – most notably over-regulation and an ill-conceived energy strategy – which are not in sync with the objective of maximising…

Key Takeaways A lowered credit limit isn’t always personal since issuers often cut limits as part of broader changes.The major issue could involve your credit utilization ratio, which jumps overnight since whatever balance is factored against a lower limit.Pausing spending, paying down high-utilization cards, checking your credit reports, and updating your income can help protect your credit score. You’ve paid every bill on time and kept your balances low. Then you check your account, and your credit limit has suddenly been slashed.  It might have nothing to do with how responsibly you’ve managed the card. Banks routinely trim limits as…

Key Takeaways Homebuilder stocks climbed Wednesday, extending Tuesday’s gains following a report that the industry is making an affordability-focused pitch to the White House.A “Trump homes” proposal could see hundreds of thousands of new homes built for a rent-to-own program, Bloomberg reported. Several homebuilder stocks got a boost following a report the Trump administration is considering a program to build more new homes. Lennar (LEN) and other homebuilders have worked on a pitch to the Trump administration to build up to 1 million new homes that could become part of a rent-to-own program, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Shares of Lennar surged…

Key Takeaways AMD shares sank sharply Wednesday, despite fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s estimates.Analysts said a surprise sales boost from China that may have smoothed over softer growth in other areas and high investor expectations heading into the report likely weighed on the stock. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) investors are becoming harder to impress. Shares of the chipmaker sank over 13% in early trading Wednesday, despite fourth-quarter results that topped Wall Street’s estimates. Record revenue of $10.27 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $1.53 each came in better than expected. However, a surprise boost from sales of AMD’s…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump hiked tariffs after taking office last year, but the economic damage some thought would result hasn’t yet emerged.Economists said AI and government spending have helped support the economy, while importers and exporters have buffered the impact on consumers. Some economists forecast that tariffs would lead to ruin for the U.S. economy. Instead, the economy is growing faster than it has in years, surprising them. So what happened? “If you walked 100 economists in a room one year ago and informed them of these developments today, I suspect virtually all would project the U.S. economy would…

Key Takeaways Chipotle told investors to expect flat same-store sales in 2026. That’s not what they’d likely prefer, but it’s better than the retreat the company managed last year.Some analysts say the company, which has seen its shares fall over the past 12 months, is setting itself up to exceed expectations in 2026. Chipotle’s burrito is undoubtedly bruised. Sales at the chain rose last year, but most of that came from new store openings. Transactions fell, offsetting a higher average check; all told, same-store sales finished 2025 in the red. This has been bad news for the onetime highflying stock,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, it can feel like nothing changes for everyday savers. But behind the scenes, banks and financial institutions are still competing for deposits, and some are paying far more than others for the privilege of holding your cash.If your money is sitting in a traditional savings account earning a fraction of a percent, you’re not just missing out on growth. You may be losing ground to inflation, even in a stable-rate environment. The good news is that you don’t have to lock your money away for years or take on…

Key Takeaways AI-powered tools like voice cloning have made impersonation scams far more believable, increasing the likelihood of real financial losses.Clear, pre-established rules—such as never sharing authentication codes or moving money in response to unsolicited requests—help protect clients when pressure is high.An emergency fund can provide temporary financial stability after a scam, but early reporting and prevention remain the most effective defenses. What makes today’s scam environment different is not just volume, but design. Many scams have always relied on impersonation, but AI has changed how believable those impersonations are. Voice cloning can recreate a family member in distress or…