Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Salesforce shares rose Thursday after the software giant posted strong results for the fourth quarter, though its full-year revenue outlook missed estimates. The soft outlook led some analysts to lower their price targets, though most remain bullish on the shares. Is Salesforce’s stock ready for a rebound after some signs of AI-driven gains? The shares climbed 4% to close just under $200 Thursday, making Salesforce (CRM) the best-performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, on a day when the broader tech sector declined. The software giant posted fourth-quarter sales and profits after the closing bell Wednesday that topped analysts’…

(By Oil & Gas 360) – The European Union is weighing a plan to permanently ban Russian oil imports and to impose a full ban on providing shipping and related services for Russian oil, escalating its efforts to tighten pressure on Moscow. But turning that proposal into reality would likely require coordination beyond Brussels, including backing from G7 partners that play a central role in global maritime insurance and shipping finance. The move reflects Europe’s ongoing attempt to close gaps in the existing sanctions framework. While previous measures targeted Russian crude imports and price caps, service-based restrictions aim to limit the…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Medicare Advantage, the private insurance system that supplants traditional Medicare, continues to set off alarms for triggering massive overpayments costing taxpayers billions.The latest comes from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, which projects $1.2 trillion in overpayments over the next decade, based on an estimate from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent agency that provides Congress with analysis and policy advice on the Medicare program.Medicare Advantage plans will be overpaid by roughly $76 billion in 2026. “If continued, we estimate this would translate to $1.2 trillion of overpayments through 2035,” the budget committee…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Social Security Administration has been working to improve caller wait times, even as the staff has been reduced.But SSA workers say they are already overworked, and changes coming next month could make things worse. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The Social Security Administration has significantly reduced wait times for beneficiaries calling its national 800-number over the past two years. Next month, the agency is making more changes to how it handles help requests that may speed things up—or make things worse for beneficiaries. Workflow management changes coming on March 7 will…

Key Takeaways Freddie Mac’s 30-year mortgage rate average fell to 5.98%, the first reading below 6% since September 2022.At that rate, a $350,000 loan would work out to $2,094 per month in principal and interest.Rates are the lowest in more than 3 years, making this a rare opportunity—but buying when you’re ready still matters most. Mortgage Rates Haven’t Been This Low in More Than 3 Years If you’ve been watching mortgage rates and waiting for a break, this week delivered one. The average rate on a 30-year fixed home loan has fallen below 6% for the first time in almost…

Have you received your retirement tax refund yet? You may soon. The IRS is reporting the average tax refund is $2,548 as of mid-February. And that number includes retiree refunds.Tax refunds may be higher for older adults because of the new “senior bonus” deduction introduced in the 2025 Trump tax bill. This tax break allows folks age 65 and older to deduct up to $6,000 per individual from taxable income. That can translate to hundreds of dollars in tax savings, depending on your income.And if you haven’t already thought of spending that money, now’s a great time to do it,…

It sounds great, no tax on overtime. But what does it really mean? The new tax break doesn’t totally eliminate taxes on overtime earnings, but if you qualify, it could mean more money in your pocket. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) became law on July 4, 2025, and included several new tax breaks. One is a new deduction for overtime pay. The deduction is temporary, effective for tax years 2025 through 2028 for overtime pay under section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), affecting about 143 million people. Taxpayers can deduct some of the pay that…

’s results released last night exceeded expectations, and the company also delivered stronger-than-expected guidance for the coming quarters.The company reported a 73% increase in revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter, reaching $68.13 billion, above analysts’ expectations of $66.21 billion.It also issued an optimistic forecast, projecting revenue of $78 billion for the first fiscal quarter, well above analysts’ expectations of $72.6 billion.Investors had been concerned that the sharp increase in AI hardware spending was unsustainable, fueling fears of a bubble in the sector, but Nvidia’s results have helped ease those concerns.However, these positive results had been partly anticipated. Nvidia gained 1.41%…

This article is a preliminary unedited draft section of my inflation manuscript. There are therefore references to other “sections” and charts in those sections that the reader is unaware of. That manuscript has been on the back burner for some years now. I was not happy with the text, and rather than just push it out, I decided to wait and move onto other projects. I have done a partial re-write and update, and I am now happier with the text. No promises as to when it hits bookstores.This section discusses an idea that pops up in various contexts. The…

Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysUsers can take steps to reduce the risk of attack on smart homes. Strong passwords, MFA, and secure setup all enhance device security. Research smart device brands before making a purchase.As a smart home user, I pause anytime a major data breach hits the news cycle, especially one that involves devices I own or recommend, like security cameras. Recent reports have underscored the question: How easily can your smart home devices be hacked?Also: Your smart plug is seriously underutilized: 7 ways I’ve programmed it in my smart homeMost of us…