Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways MongoDB shares tumbled after the database company gave a disappointing profit outlook.The company’s fourth-quarter revenue and earnings topped analysts’ expectations. MongoDB (MDB) shares plummeted after the database provider gave a disappointing profit outlook, offsetting quarterly results that exceeded expectations. The stock was down nearly 21% to $258 in recent trading, deepening its recent decline amid a broader pullback in software stocks. MongoDB projected current-quarter revenue of $659 million to $664 million, in line with Wall Street expectations. However, the company’s forecast of adjusted earnings per share of $1.15 to $1.19 came in slightly below the Visible Alpha consensus of…

Key Takeaways The national average gas price climbed back above $3 this week after rising nearly 8 cents from the prior week.Oklahoma and Arkansas average in the mid-$2 range, while California, Hawaii, and Washington state drivers pay well above $4 per gallon.After falling below $3 in December for the first time since May 2021, gas prices stayed there for 13 weeks before rising this week. Gas Prices Climb Back Above $3 After 13 Weeks Below That Mark The U.S. national average price of regular gasoline climbed back above $3 per gallon this week, rising nearly 8 cents from the prior…

The VIX hit an intraday high of 28.15 Tuesday—its highest reading since November—as concerns about the potential impact of the U.S.-Iran conflict pushed oil prices sharply higher and sent major stock indexes reeling.The volatility index remains well below past crisis peaks such as those registered during the pandemic, the 2008 financial crisis and last April’s tariff shock. Wall Street’s much-watched fear gauge jumped to its highest level of the year on Tuesday as the U.S.-Iran conflict entered its fourth day, The CBOE Volatility Index, known as the VIX, climbed as much as 31% to an intraday high of 28.15 this…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks fell sharply at Tuesday’s open, with market participants spooked by signs of a prolonged conflict between the U.S. and Iran. However, for the second day in a row, the main indexes finished well off their intraday lows, with today’s recovery courtesy of President Donald Trump’s offer for risk insurance and military escorts for ships in the Strait of Hormuz.The three main indexes were down more than 2.5% each at their session lows on Tuesday. At the close, though, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average had pared its loss to 0.8% to finish at 48,501. The broader…

The military escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran has abruptly pushed geopolitical risk back to the forefront of financial markets. Since the coordinated strikes by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iranian targets, followed by Tehran’s retaliation across the Gulf, investors have been closely watching a strategic chokepoint: the Strait of Hormuz.This maritime passage alone accounts for around 20% of global oil trade, making it one of the most critical arteries in the global energy system.The market’s initial reaction was swift. surged, with a barrel of WTI nearing $75 on Monday—its highest level since June 2025. At the same…

Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is planning to call its $1.1 billion of Everglades Re II Ltd. (Series 2024-1) catastrophe bonds in advance of its renewal, to enable it to take advantage of current market conditions and may sponsor issuance of around $600 million of new cat bonds this year to make a saving on its risk transfer costs.As we reported earlier, Florida Citizens projected that it will need $3 billion of traditional reinsurance and / or catastrophe bonds for the 2026 hurricane season. That’s a considerably reduction from the $4.49 billion of reinsurance risk transfer it had in-force through…

According to the report, 76% of respondents already own a home and 95% said they plan to own one before age 40. That contrasts with broader national trends as the median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40, according to the National Association of Realtors. “As we face the largest transfer of wealth ever between generations, HENRYs are already shaping the luxury real estate market in North America,” said Katelyn Castellano, chief marketing and performance officer at Engel & Völkers Americas. “They are financially disciplined and approach homeownership not only as a symbol of success, but as an extension…

Key Takeaways UBS analysts said they expect Berkshire Hathaway’s stock to outperform the broader market amid heightened volatility.A preference for less-risky plays could benefit Berkshire Hathaway, which “is generally considered very defensive,” according to UBS. Berkshire Hathaway could be set for outperformance as geopolitical tensions rise, according to one Wall Street firm. Analysts at UBS, in a note to clients, said they “anticipate BRK’s shares will outperform the broader market given the elevated geopolitical tensions”. Shares of the conglomerate (BRK.A, BRK.B) rose slightly Tuesday while the major indexes lost ground. Worries about developments in Iran after the U.S. and Israel…

Key Takeaways The shortage of housing inventory got worse in 2025, according to Realtor.com, which found that the market needs 4 million more homes to meet buyer demand.Limited housing inventory is a key driver of elevated home prices.The housing shortfall was the worst in the South, while the Northeast showed improvement despite having the most acute shortage over the past decade. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Finding a house to buy isn’t getting any easier.  The shortage of housing inventory got worse in 2025, according to Realtor.com, which found that the market needs 4…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – Oil prices have climbed as infrastructure attacks and rising tensions involving Iran renew concern over the security of supply routes near the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and even the threat of disruption is enough to lift prices. For investors, the key question is not whether tensions exist. It is whether they materially affect flows. Several analysts suggest Iran’s ability to sustain a prolonged shutdown of oil transit appears limited. A full closure would impose immediate economic costs across the region, including on countries whose exports…