Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Financial advisors should create an Internal AI Usage Policy to ensure compliance and protect client data.AI tools can improve efficiency but must not process client-specific information or generate unreviewed advice.Policies should outline permitted uses, data privacy protocols, and compliance requirements, and be regularly updated. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. If you plan to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your practice as a financial advisor, it’s recommended that you create an Internal AI Usage Policy. While AI can help advisors stay organized, complete complex calculations, and streamline client communications, it can also pose…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Exchange-traded funds have long given investors convenient access to some of the world’s most valuable commodities, primarily gold and silver. Both metals dominated headlines amid what many market participants call the “debasement trade.” Major gains for gold ETFs and silver ETFs in 2025 reflect rapidly rising interest from investors, traders and speculators.The debasement trade reflects a view that persistent fiscal deficits, heavy government borrowing and accommodative monetary policy will erode the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar over time, pushing investors toward hard assets perceived as resistant to inflation and currency dilution.Historically, gold has been a primary…

Key Takeaways Tesla shares climbed Wednesday as the electric vehicle maker’s stock got an upgrade from Bank of America. The bank’s $460 price target would suggest 14% upside from the stock’s recent levels. Tesla just won a fresh vote of confidence from Bank of America. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) were recently up more than 3% at around $405, as the bank reinstated its coverage of the electric vehicle maker with a “buy” rating Wednesday. The analysts told clients they view Tesla as “the current leader in consumer autonomy,” pointing to its advances in autonomous driving and robotics as reasons for the…

Key Takeaways Shares of Robinhood soared on Wednesday ahead of a product launch event that could see the brokerage expand its offerings in pursuit of its goal of becoming “a financial super app.”Shares have been pressured this year by slumping cryptocurrency prices, which played a major role in the exchange’s disappointing earnings report last month. Robinhood is launching new products from New York City’s JFK Airport this evening. Its stock is already airborne.  Shares of Robinhood (HOOD) were up about 8% Wednesday afternoon ahead of its “Robinhood Presents: Take Flight” event, where the digital brokerage expects to “introduce a new…

Tax filing season is officially underway, and with it comes a new addition to the federal Form 1040. Schedule 1-A (Form 1040) is used for new deductions stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Read on to learn what exactly Schedule 1-A is and if you need it to file your tax return. The Schedule 1-A (Form 1040) is a new form to help you figure out new tax breaks that began in 2025. It goes along with the Form 1040, which is your federal income tax form. There’s also a 1040-SR for people aged 65 or older.…

Rising tensions in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran have pushed markets back into a risk-off mood. Amid this backdrop, investors are searching for stocks that combine resilience, income, and upside.  Below we highlight key stocks that tend to benefit from geopolitical uncertainty. In the face of escalating Middle East tensions and a clear risk-off mood gripping markets, investors are searching for stocks that combine resilience, income, and upside. Source: Investing.comThe following ten companies represent a diversified approach to defensive positioning, spanning defense contractors who directly benefit from increased military spending, energy giants insulated by commodity price dynamics, consumer…

AI-generated image for “writer working under AI master.” Source: Perchance.org By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Before a shooting war broke out in the Mideast, the big topic of discussion in finance was an artificial intelligence doomsday scenario published Feb. 22 by Citrini Research with the title “The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis.” The hypothetical article (7,000 words!) began with a preface asking, “What if our AI bullishness continues to be right … and what if that’s actually bearish?” It was presented as a macro memo from the future — June 2028 — as the U.S. unemployment rate hit 10.2% and the S&P…

Key Takeaways Personalization in prospecting emails drives engagement but is difficult to scale manually.AI can help draft relevant, personalized outreach that emphasizes value and conversation over sales.Structured AI prompts improve email quality by adding context, objectives, and audience-specific details. Prospecting emails are necessary, but mass blasts rarely work. Generic messages are ignored in crowded inboxes. Instead of sending more emails, use artificial intelligence (AI) to draft relevant, personalized outreach that actually earns replies. Goal of the Prompt Many prospecting emails fail because they feel generic, overly promotional, or copy-pasted. At the same time, it’s unrealistic to craft a fully customized…

Key Takeaways Kalshi this week said it voided an event contract linked to the removal from power of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s, in order to comply with CFTC regulations.Polymarket’s international platform, which isn’t subject to CFTC rules, paid out on a similar contract, meaning some people profited from Khamenei’s death.The confusion underscores how complicated some event contracts can be to settle. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Any bet goes on prediction markets, but death complicates the trade. Folks who placed bets linked to the fate of Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and were…

February 2026 HighlightsIn February 2026, Cboe FX Spot ADV reached $59.7 billion, a 24.2% increase from February 2025’s ADV of $48.0 billion.Cboe SEF ADV1 topped $3.7 billion, the second highest ADV recorded on our SEF, and a 39.2% increase versus February 2025 ($2.7 billion)At $22.5 billion, Cboe FX ECN Firm ADV2 accounted for 52.9% of the Spot ECN total, up 36.8% from $16.5 billion in February 2025.At $3.9 billion, Cboe FX ECN Metals ADV accounted for 9.2% of the Spot ECN total, second only to January 2025’s Metals ADV of $6.1billion, and a 165.0% increase from $1.5 billion in February…