Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Leaving your 401(k) account with your employer can save on fees because the company can buy funds at institutional pricing rates.If you own appreciated company stock in your 401(k), transferring the stock to a brokerage account instead of an IRA can save on taxes.Not rolling over your 401(k) can help with legal protection in bankruptcy and provide access to your money at an earlier age, if you qualify for an exception.Company 401(k) plans have access to stable value funds. You’ve left your job. What should you do with the 401(k) plan you’ve faithfully contributed to for years? Conventional…

Key takeaways Overall inflation held at 2.4% in February, but price changes varied widely across categories.Eggs posted the largest annual drop in the CPI data, while coffee, beef, and streaming saw double-digit increases.Gasoline prices were down in February but have since surged in March, underscoring how quickly costs can shift. The February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report was released today, showing overall prices rose 2.4% from a year earlier—the same annual pace as January. But that steady headline number masks significant variation beneath the surface. Even as overall inflation has cooled, price changes across categories are far from uniform, with…

Key Takeaways Adobe is slated to post its latest earnings after the market closes Thursday, with traders expecting a big swing in the software maker’s stock following the event.Adobe’s stock has tumbled to start the year, amid concerns about competition and disruption from AI. Adobe is set to report earnings after the market closes Thursday, with traders anticipating a big move from the Photoshop maker’s stock following the results. Based on current options pricing, traders expect Adobe (ADBE) stock could move up to 7% in either direction by the end of the week. A move of that size from Wednesday’s…

Key Takeaways An above-the-line deduction is subtracted from gross income to compute adjusted gross income (AGI) on IRS Form 1040.These deductions can reduce taxable income regardless of whether you itemize deductions or take the standard deduction.Common above-the-line deductions include contributions to retirement accounts and student loan interest payments.Above-the-line deductions can maximize tax savings and potentially lower overall tax burden.Understanding these deductions can aid in more strategic financial planning and tax management. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. What Are Above-the-Line Deductions? An above-the-line deduction is a type of tax deduction you can subtract from your…

Key Takeaways A bearer instrument is a fixed-income security with no registered ownership, issued in physical form to the holder.Ownership of a bearer instrument is transferred by handing over the physical certificate; no reporting is required.Bearer bonds haven’t been legal in U.S. municipal and corporate markets since 1982.The remaining bearer instruments in the market are long-dated issues from before 1982 and are scarce. What Are Bearer Instruments? A bearer instrument is a physical fixed-income security that doesn’t list the owner’s name on the certificate. Whoever holds the bond is the owner and has the right to receive interest and principal…

Key Takeaways Build America Bonds (BABs) were taxable municipal bonds with federal tax benefits, introduced under the ARRA in 2009.The program offered tax credits or subsidies to state and local governments or bondholders to encourage infrastructure investment.Build America Bonds were intended to boost economic growth by funding public projects during the 2009 financial crisis.The Build America Bonds program expired in 2010, leaving no new issuances available post-expiration. What Are Build America Bonds? Build America Bonds (BABs) are taxable municipal bonds that offer federal tax incentives to the issuer or the bondholder. The program began in 2009 as part of President…

(Image credit: Getty Images)These days, it feels like I’m getting targeted by scammers every week. And I’m not alone. According to Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans surveyed receive deceptive messages at least once a week.Most of these attempted scams come via phone calls, text messages or email, with 33% of respondents receiving a fraudulent message through social media.The financial impact can be noticeable for those who fall victim to a scam, too. Indeed, 30% of those surveyed by Pew Research said a scam impacted their personal finances “a fair amount” or “a great deal,” while another 27% said…

Key Takeaways Objective probability measures the likelihood of an event based on factual data and mathematical calculations.Unlike subjective probability, objective probability does not rely on intuition or guesses.Independent events in probability are those whose outcomes are unaffected by past events. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. What Is Objective Probability? Objective probability refers to the chance that an event will occur based on the analysis of concrete measures rather than hunches or guesswork. Each measure is a recorded observation, a hard fact, or part of a long history of collected data. The probability estimate is…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The International Energy Agency said it would release 400 million barrels of oil from its emergency reserves, but markets remain concerned about pressures on supplies for what remains one of the world’s most important economic inputs.”The oil market challenges we are facing are unprecedented in scale, therefore I am very glad that IEA Member countries have responded with an emergency collective action of unprecedented size,” International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement. “Oil markets are global so the response to major disruptions needs to be global too.”As the IEA notes, its planned release…

Key Takeaways Electronics rely heavily on commodities like silicon, copper, and rare earth metals.Commodity market fluctuations can affect electronics pricing.Lithium, ceramics, and glass are essential for modern device components. Common metals used in everyday electronics include copper, lithium, tin, silver, gold, nickel, and aluminum. Many electronics rely heavily on these and other raw materials, and fluctuations in those commodity markets can influence prices for electronics items. Essential Commodities for the Electronics Industry Many of these materials provide protection for the inner workings of electronic devices, make them easier to clean or improve their functionality. Some are highly conductive and work…