Author: Money Mechanics

As you can see displayed on the left, beating on production, operating costs, and capital resulted in impressive free cash flow for Q4. Our production optimization efforts drove oil above the top end of the guide, fueled by strong new well performance and outstanding base production management. Operating costs significantly improved from the start of the year, reflecting enhanced reliability and relentless operational efficiency. Capital spending finished 4% better than guidance as we continue to capture drilling and completion efficiencies through advanced technology and a culture of continuous improvement. Combined, these efforts translated into $700 million of free cash flow,…

Market rotations create both challenges and opportunities. As leadership in the stock market keeps shifting, investors have a window to pick up quality companies trading below fair value. Below, we highlight three stocks that stand out for robust financial health, unique sector tailwinds, and technical setups hinting at recovery potential. The market’s recent rotation has created compelling opportunities for savvy investors willing to look beyond the crowded mega-cap trades. In this environment, market players are seeking undervalued stocks in resilient sectors that can weather volatility and capitalize on tailwinds. Here are three companies currently trading below fair value that deserve…

Last month’s ultra high-end home sales also included a ranch in Aspen and a beachfront villa in Hawaii.  A waterfront estate in Naples, FL was the most expensive home sale of January, fetching $55 million.  It’s followed by an Aspen, CO ranch that brought in $42 million, and a Hawaiian beachfront estate on the Big Island that sold for just over $38 million. Two more coastal Florida compounds round out the top five, fetching about $36 million apiece.  All in all, six of January’s 10 most expensive home sales were in Florida. There was one each in Colorado, Hawaii, California…

ZDNET’s key takeaways The Mileseey Xtape1 is on sale now for $239.It’s a combination of an old-school measuring tape and laser rangefinder, with super-accurate measurements even over long distances.It’s expensive, and potentially overkill for some users. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.I like my tools, and when I get the chance to take a new piece of kit for a test drive, I jump at the chance. If it’s packed with high-end features, so much the better.So when the Mileseey Xtape1 — a tape measure that’s been supercharged with lasers and electronics — landed on my desk, I…

February 18, 2026 09:48 AM EST In Buffett’s Last Quarter as CEO, Berkshire Slashed Amazon Stake and Sold More Apple FROM 46 minutes ago Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)(BRK.B), the conglomerate formerly led by famed investor Warren Buffett, reduced its holdings in tech giants Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) in the final quarter of 2025, according to a regulatory filing released Tuesday.  Berkshire sold about 10.3 million shares of Apple, about 4% of the firm’s stake in the iPhone maker. Berkshire has been steadily trimming its stake in Apple—its largest position—since late 2023, though the pace of its sales has slowed. Berkshire’s…

Key Takeaways The median retirement balance for middle-income workers in their 50s is $112,000, according to Transamerica.Most Americans in their 50s fall well below Fidelity’s suggested target of a 401(k) balance of at least six times salary.Your 50s are prime catch-up years with higher contribution limits. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Your 50s are often considered the most important decade for retirement savings. Income is usually at its highest, kids are typically grown, and mortgages are coming off, allowing you to put away more money. But for some, your 50s are also when savings…

Key Takeaways The “Apple Capital” is affordable with reasonable everyday expenses and a median home sale price of $390,391 in December 2025.Winchester is tucked into the Shenandoah Valley, and a great place to retire, according to Investopedia’s top 100 locations in the U.S.Downtown Winchester is steeped in centuries-old history, including homes, museums, and some cobblestone streets. If history intrigues you and you’d rather not spend your retirement years hustling along busy city streets with the crowds, then this “Apple Capital” in Virginia might be the perfect home for you in retirement. Winchester is known for its sprawling orchards and boasts…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Whether you are an investor who has maxed out Roth IRAs for decades or someone now racing to catch up, the goal is the same: position as much money as possible for long-term, tax-free growth.Tax-free investments allow your savings to grow faster and offer more clarity about the assets that will be available to you when you need them. But while taxable and tax-deferred savings are important elements of a financial plan, the value they deliver is subject to the tax rates effective at the time of liquidation.Future tax rates are unknowable, but we do know that…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Most people approach Social Security like they’re buying a warranty. They find the break-even age on a chart, circle it and call it a decision.If delaying “wins” after 81, they wait. If the break-even is 79, they file now.That logic seems straightforward, but in reality, retirement planning is rarely this simple. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on…

Key Takeaways Older workers were the most likely to max out their 401(k)s, according to a recent report.Those who feel behind on saving can improve their outlook by increasing contributions, delaying Social Security, or working longer. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. If you’re approaching retirement but aren’t on track to have enough money saved, now might be a good time to try upping your 401(k) contributions. Of all age groups, those aged 55 to 64 were the most likely to have maxed out their 401(k)s in 2024, according to Vanguard data on about a…