Author: Money Mechanics

Link to Report: Macro Volatility DigestWHAT STANDS OUT:Oil 1M implied volatility jumped almost 40 pts last week to a high of 104% – highest since 2020 (when oil prices went negative) and trading near the peak volatility we saw during the 2008 GFC. What’s even more notable is the widening volatility risk premium, with implied vol trading at almost double the level of realized volatility, suggesting fears of further escalation in this crisis. Oil volatility risk premium is currently at its highest level on record, going back 20 years.Equity volatility jumped higher last week, with the weak US jobs number…

Key Takeaways Americans ages 55–64 have a median net worth of $364,270, placing them near the top of the wealth curve heading into retirement.At this stage, wealth is often tied up in home equity and retirement savings, even as many households continue to carry debt.Nearly 78% of Americans ages 55–64 own a home, but only about 57% have a retirement account, leaving many reliant on housing-related wealth. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Where Americans Ages 55–64 Stand on Wealth Today Americans ages 55–64 are nearing what many consider their peak earning and saving years,…

Key Takeaways Hands-on jobs requiring physical presence, like power-line repair, are least likely to be automated by AI.Electrical power-line installers earn a median annual salary of $92,560 but face high occupational risks.AI is reducing employment in finance and software, with early career workers seeing a 13% decline since 2022. If you want a high-paying job that’s safe from being automated by AI, you’d better not be afraid of heights or electricity.  That’s according to researchers at OpenAI, OpenResearch, and the University of Pennsylvania, who identified 34 occupations that AI could never do in a Science article published in 2024. Checking…

Key Takeaways Hims & Hers Health shares popped Monday after the telehealth company announced a new partnership with Novo Nordisk.The deal will allow Hims & Hers to sell the Danish drugmaker’s weight-loss products through its platform. Hims & Hers Health stock is soaring to start the week. Shares of the telehealth provider were up nearly 37% Monday morning after Hims & Hers (HIMS) said it struck a deal with Novo Nordisk (NVO) to sell the Danish rival’s weight-loss drugs on its platform. Novo Nordisk’s U.S.-listed shares were up 1% recently. Hims & Hers said Monday that Ozempic and Wegovy will…

Most of us think in terms of before we die, and after we die — that stark division. Once we die, all that came before is erased.Except that can be a misleading notion. Unfortunately, some things that came before, like taxes, for example, live on after death.And when it comes to outstanding tax liabilities, the IRS can be relentless in pursuing them. The agency can take steps to ensure unpaid taxes are settled with the estate, which can complicate matters for heirs and executors. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from…

Iran names Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader. Plus, global central bankers are eying the jump in crude prices and the impact on inflation, and Gulf businesses seek more insurance coverage as the war in Iran continues. And, fears of food price spikes are growing.Mentioned in this podcast:Mojtaba Khamenei becomes Iran’s supreme leaderOil surges past $100 a barrel for the first time in four yearsQatar warns war will force Gulf to stop energy exports ‘within days’Iran war muddles expectations of likely Federal Reserve interest rate cutsFertiliser disruption from Iran conflict prompts global food shortage warningsNote:…

When Ring founder and CEO Jamie Siminoff decided to use the company’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial to introduce Search Party — an AI-powered feature that uses Ring camera footage to help find lost dogs — he expected Americans to love it. Instead, the TV spot set off a firestorm. In fact, practically since the moment it aired in February, Siminoff has been making the rounds on CNN, NBC, and in the pages of the New York Times, explaining that his critics fundamentally misunderstand what Ring is building. He sat down with TechCrunch a few days ago to make his case…

Key Takeaways Millionaires under 30 are extremely rare. Only about 1.4% of Americans ages 18–29 have a $1 million net worth.Most young millionaires don’t have $1 million in cash or diversified assets.Much of that wealth is tied up in inheritance, startup equity, or other assets that are hard to sell. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Scroll through social media long enough, and you might think everyone’s a millionaire by 30. Most aren’t. Not even close. Data from the Federal Reserve reveals that reaching millionaire status that young is rare, even as social media feeds…

Stock futures sold off sharply and Treasury yields jumped as the price of oil surpassed $100 a barrel Monday, as investors fretted that the ongoing Iran war could slow the U.S. economy. Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq 100 futures were down 1.1% each and S&P 500 futures were 1.0% lower in recent trading. Major stock indexes closed lower for a second straight week Friday, with the Dow dropping 3% over the five days, its worst week since last April. The S&P 500 ended down 2% for the week, while the Nasdaq finished 1.2% in the red. Oil futures have soared…

Key Takeaways Miami offers a warm tropical climate all year long.The cost of living in Miami is higher than the national average, but it has a low tax burden because Florida lacks an individual state income tax.Known as a global gateway, Miami is a hub for international arts, culture, and dining.The city is very walkable and bikeable, has public transit, and access to good health care facilities. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. One of Investopedia’s top 100 retirement hot spots in the United States, Miami offers warm, tropical weather all year long. It’s vibrant…