Author: Money Mechanics

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The Treasury’s auction of $9 billion in a new 30-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Security — CUSIP 912810US5 — generated a real yield to maturity of 2.473%, the second-highest yield since the 30-year term was restarted in February 2010. Demand appeared to be strong. The “when-issued” yield prediction released just before the close was 2.49%, so investor bids were strong enough to lower the real yield. The bid-to-cover ratio was 2.75, also an indication of strong demand. The auction result set the coupon rate at 2.375%, matching a 16-year high. Definition: The “real yield to maturity” of a…

A “Now Hiring” sign is seen at an AutoZone on Feb. 11, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty ImagesWith the upheaval of the Covid pandemic came opportunity, as a shift in the labor market gave workers unprecedented opportunities for mobility and a chance to climb the pay scale.The “great resignation,” as it came to be known, saw record numbers of employees quit in favor of better opportunities, as companies couldn’t hire workers fast enough to fill the vacancies that the pandemic helped create. A record 4.5 million left their jobs for greener pastures in March 2022. But that…

There are some free VPNs, but I recommend opting for a paid subscription to enjoy the full benefits of a VPN. You will typically pay between $2 and $4 per month for a decent VPN — but this is based on an annual (or longer) commitment, so you’ll likely need to pay it upfront, plus tax. VPN contract terms are normally one or two years, but sometimes you can find options for as little as six months or up to three years. Also: The best proxy server services: Expert tested and reviewedThere’s always a one-month service plan, but it costs around $15, and…

Key Takeaways The U.S. economy is growing at a healthy pace, but job growth is lagging behind.AI technology may be contributing to the job slump by automating tasks that would otherwise be given to entry-level hires.A wave of AI job losses is one of the risks that could trigger the next recession, according to economists at Moody’s Analytics. By many measures, the U.S. economy is doing well, with the gross domestic product growing steadily and stock indexes routinely hitting record highs. But one thing is missing from the economic expansion: the jobs. Forecasters expect that the economy grew at a…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has launched a trial program in six states that uses AI to inform claims decision-making.Claims that need prior authorization will go through AI first. Claims for emergency inpatient-only services and emergency services will not be processed by AI.CMS says the updated technology will decrease waste and speed the prior-authorization process. Some experts and lawmakers are worried it will deny claims for services that should be covered by Medicare. Your next Medicare claim could be approved or rejected by AI. Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks were choppy Thursday as market participants weighed growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran and the latest batch of corporate earnings reports. Weakness in financial and tech stocks also kept pressure on the main indexes, with all three ending the day in the red.At the close, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.5% at 49,395, the broader S&P 500 was 0.3% lower at 6,861, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was off 0.3% at 22,682.Geopolitical worries ramped up after President Donald Trump said today that he will decide within the next 10 days whether to…

Key Takeaways Deere shares jumped to a fresh high Thursday after the tractor maker posted earnings that topped analysts’ estimates.Executives said its results got a boost from infrastructure spending and investments in building AI data centers. Deere’s stock is building on its winning streak. Shares of Deere & Co. (DE) jumped nearly 12% to a fresh high Thursday, extending their recent record-setting rally, after the farm and construction equipment maker posted earnings that exceeded expectations. Deere reported earnings per share of $2.42 on revenue that rose 13% year-over-year to $9.61 billion in its fiscal first quarter. Both figures topped analysts’…

To help you understand what’s going on in the economy and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You’ll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…2026 will be another rough year for farmers, marked by high production costs, lower farm income, escalating debt and an uncertain trade situation.Net farm income will fall to…

Key Takeaways There are 6.1 million workers in occupations highly exposed to AI and with low ability to find a new job, according to new research.Customer service representatives are among the most at-risk careers with the lowest ability to adapt.Careers least likely to be disrupted by AI include janitors and roofers. How likely is it that AI will take your job, and if so, how ready are you to switch careers? For 6.1 million workers, the risk of AI disruption is high and the ability to find a new job is low.That’s according to a paper by researchers at the…

Key Takeaways Research from the New York Fed shows Americans, not foreigners, are bearing the cost of tariffs.The Trump administration criticized the study, calling it partisan and questioning its methodology.The conflict highlights ongoing tensions over the Federal Reserve’s independence from political influence. The latest battleground in the feud between the White House and the Federal Reserve system is a routine economics paper. Researchers at the New York Fed published findings last week showing that Americans are paying the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, contrary to Trump’s claims that foreigners are footing the bill. Administration officials have said in the…