Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)The price of crude oil approached $120 per barrel early Monday as the war in the Middle East between the U.S., Israel and Iran raged through the weekend. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil production must transit the Strait of Hormuz, which is controlled by the Islamic Republic, to reach global markets. The prospect of an energy supply shock plus a weakening employment situation has investors, traders and speculators on full alert for stagflation.The front-month crude oil futures contract traded to a nearly four-year high of $119.48 per barrel vs the 16-year high of $130.50 in March…

Key Takeaways Gas prices have surged across the U.S. this week as oil prices have jumped amid a widening Middle East conflict that threatens supplies.The national average is now $3.48, with only four states’ averages remaining under $3—while California drivers are paying more than $5.After falling below $3 in December for the first time since 2021, the national average stayed there for 13 weeks before shooting up. U.S. Gas Prices Climbed Quickly This Week, Rising Above $3.30 Oil prices have climbed steeply as the Iran war fuels fears of supply disruptions, and the impact has quickly shown up at the…

Key Takeaways Fewer than 16% of workers in February said they would voluntarily leave their jobs within the next year, the lowest level recorded by the New York Federal Reserve survey in more than a decade.Recent data shows that the quit rate has fallen from its peak during the “Great Resignation” of 2022, as fewer job openings are available. The decline in worker confidence comes as employers trimmed their payrolls. Workers are clinging to their jobs as the labor market slows. Employers shed jobs in February, making workers reluctant to leave their positions, according to a newly released New York Federal…

Aura Minerals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUGO) is among the 10 Best Affordable Stocks to Invest In for the Long Term. BofA Sees Enhanced Cash Flow Potential for Aura Minerals Inc. (AUGO) On February 26, BofA raised the firm’s price target on Aura Minerals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUGO) to $101 from $70 and maintained a Buy rating, following updated forecasts for 2026 metal prices across the North American metals and mining sector. The revised outlook reflects improved commodity price assumptions, which could further enhance Aura’s earnings and cash flow trajectory. The same day, Aura Minerals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUGO) reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, posting adjusted EBITDA of…

above $120 a barrel and rising sharply. Tanker traffic through one of the world’s most important energy corridors severely disrupted. Escalating confrontation involving Iran threatening global supply chains. Conditions are emerging that make global stagflation increasingly likely. surged almost 29% in a single trading session, the largest intraday jump since April 2020, as markets reacted to escalating conflict in the Middle East and growing fears of a supply shock. Traders rapidly pushed prices above $120 a barrel as they reassessed the risks to global energy flows. The Strait of Hormuz sits at the centre of this crisis. Roughly one fifth…

McAfee / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysTax scams are turning many people into victims.Protect yourself by not responding to a tax-related call or message.If you’ve been victimized, report the crime and secure your accounts.Tax season is upon us, and that means cybercriminals are busy cooking up scams designed to steal money or other sensitive information from unsuspecting taxpayers. Thanks to AI, falling for this type of scam may be easier than you think, at least according to the folks at technology specialist McAfee.Also: The best tax software for a stress-free tax seasonReleased…

(BOE Report) – Oil prices have soared while share markets have skidded on fears that the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran will squeeze energy supplies and hamstring industries around the world. Following are actions that governments are taking or plan to take to reduce the impact of the war on their economies. SOUTH KOREA PLANS FUEL CAP South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that authorities would cap domestic fuel prices for the first time in nearly 30 years. The country will also look for sources of energy beyond supplies shipped via the Strait of Hormuz, and a…

Link to Report: Macro Volatility DigestWHAT STANDS OUT:Oil 1M implied volatility jumped almost 40 pts last week to a high of 104% – highest since 2020 (when oil prices went negative) and trading near the peak volatility we saw during the 2008 GFC. What’s even more notable is the widening volatility risk premium, with implied vol trading at almost double the level of realized volatility, suggesting fears of further escalation in this crisis. Oil volatility risk premium is currently at its highest level on record, going back 20 years.Equity volatility jumped higher last week, with the weak US jobs number…

Key Takeaways Americans ages 55–64 have a median net worth of $364,270, placing them near the top of the wealth curve heading into retirement.At this stage, wealth is often tied up in home equity and retirement savings, even as many households continue to carry debt.Nearly 78% of Americans ages 55–64 own a home, but only about 57% have a retirement account, leaving many reliant on housing-related wealth. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Where Americans Ages 55–64 Stand on Wealth Today Americans ages 55–64 are nearing what many consider their peak earning and saving years,…

Key Takeaways Hands-on jobs requiring physical presence, like power-line repair, are least likely to be automated by AI.Electrical power-line installers earn a median annual salary of $92,560 but face high occupational risks.AI is reducing employment in finance and software, with early career workers seeing a 13% decline since 2022. If you want a high-paying job that’s safe from being automated by AI, you’d better not be afraid of heights or electricity.  That’s according to researchers at OpenAI, OpenResearch, and the University of Pennsylvania, who identified 34 occupations that AI could never do in a Science article published in 2024. Checking…