Author: Money Mechanics

The last time we checked in with Brown Capital Management International Small Company (BCSVX), the fund was reeling from a 2.3% decline in 2025 — a year when the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Growth Index gained 26%.The fund is heavy in tech stocks, which sank, and it’s light on materials and industrials shares, sectors that fueled much of the rally in 2025.And now? Over the first four months of the year, BCSVX, a member of the Kiplinger 25, our favorite no-load mutual funds, declined another 12%, compared with an 11% climb in the aforementioned index. From just $107.88…

At both the federal and state levels, efforts are underway to give workers a retirement savings boost. In one of the latest moves, President Trump signed an executive order this spring designed to enhance the options for workers who don’t have access to an employer-provided retirement plan. About 56 million workers fall into this group, or nearly half of U.S. private-sector workers ages 18 to 64, according to research from AARP.The TrumpIRA.gov, set to launch by the beginning of 2027, will connect these workers, who often include independent contractors, small-business employees, part-time workers and self-employed individuals, to low-cost IRAs from…

Find out how much you could earn by locking in a high CD rate today. A certificate of deposit (CD) allows you to lock in a competitive rate on your savings and helps your balance grow. However, rates vary widely across financial institutions, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a CD. The following is a breakdown of CD rates today and where to find the best offers. Overview of CD rates today Historically, longer-term CDs offered higher interest rates than shorter-term CDs. Generally, this is because banks would pay better rates…

We’ve learned that Mercury General Corporation’s (Mercury Insurance’s) new Luca Re Ltd. (Series 2026-1) catastrophe bond issuance has seen its price guidance range now fall for a third time, with the company looking set for strong execution for its second 144A cat bond deal.As Artemis previously reported, Mercury Insurance made its return to the catastrophe bond market at the end of May, with an initial target to secure $100 million of California wildfire and fire following earthquake protection from the capital markets. In our first update on this deal, we reported that the Luca Re 2026-1 catastrophe bond was being marketed…

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, June 17, 2026.Amirhosein Khorgooi | ReutersEarly signs that the Strait of Hormuz is reopening have eased the most acute threat to global energy supplies, but economic damages from the nearly four months of war will take months to unwind, analysts warned. The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum Thursday to open the Strait of Hormuz, ending a war that has upended global energy supply chains, pushed inflation higher and dented the outlook for growth.But even if shipping through the strait normalizes, higher inflation has already been largely…

Asked about the privacy implications of chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, Signal President Meredith Whittaker answered, “These are not your friends. These are not conscious beings. These are not sentient interlocutors.” Whittaker made those comments in a broader interview with Bloomberg about policy, privacy, and Signal. She acknowledged that she uses AI tools “to format a document here and there,” but insisted, “I don’t ask them questions. I’m very serious about my thinking and writing, and I don’t want the process of working through an idea […] to be foreclosed or eclipsed by the response of a system that’s averaging…

This week’s Baker Hughes Rig Count shows that the U.S. decreased by 1 last week, resulting in a total count of 563 rigs. Canada increased by 6 over last week, resulting in a total Canadian count of 186 rigs. Breakdown by region Of the regions tracked by Baker Hughes, the Cana Woodford, and DJ-Niobrara experienced an increase this week. Meanwhile, 1 region experienced a decrease this week: The Granite Wash is down 18, at 18. Major Basin Variances This Week +/- Ardmore Woodford 2 0 Arkoma Woodford 1 0 Barnett 0 0 Cana Woodford 20 1 DJ-Niobrara 9 1…

Luxury show garages have become a must-have among wealthy, high-profile car enthusiasts, including Sultan of Brunei, Ralph Lauren, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and Adam Carolla.Even those who reside not in luxury mansions, but in high-rise buildings, have found a way to proudly display their auto collections courtesy of impressive car elevator systems that enable residents to drive directly into the property—and park inside their unit, turning their automobile into the ultimate showpiece whenever they are at home.But the city of Las Vegas has now taken this auto obsession to new heights, offering up an entire condo development aimed specifically at…

Oil prices began to climb once again in early Asian trade on Friday due to uncertainty over the outcome of peace talks between the United States and Iran after Switzerland confirmed the talks had been postponed. At the time of writing, had climbed back above $80 per barrel while had risen to $76.28. Reuters reported on the statement, issued by the Swiss foreign ministry, without providing details. The statement followed earlier reports that said Vice President J.D. Vance, who had been scheduled to attend the talks, had canceled his trip. Reports did not specify the reason for the cancellation, although…

In a city known for its stately mansions and centuries-old government buildings, one dramatic glass residence offers another kind of architectural brilliance—one that puts a very “urban” spin on the acclaimed midcentury modern designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.The “masterfully designed” glass-and-brick abode is located in Washington, DC’s leafy Forest Hills neighborhood, about 3 miles north of the White House. However, thanks to its perch on the border of the capital’s beautiful Rock Creek Park, the property feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.Initially listed in June 2025 for $4.7 million, the exceptional dwelling recently returned…