Author: Money Mechanics

Stocks were poised for a sharply lower open Tuesday, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures losing 700 points, as the conflict in the Middle East escalated. Meanwhile, oil futures soared for a second straight day.  Nasdaq 100, Dow, and S&P 500 futures pointed down 1.8%, 1.4%, and 1.4%, respectively, about three hours before the opening bell. Yesterday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq and benchmark S&P 500 rose 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 0.2%. The Nasdaq had declined as much as 1.6% in morning trading before rallying. Fighting in the Middle East has shown no…

KEY TAKEAWAYS More than one-third of Americans will use this year’s tax refund to pay down debt.The average tax refund for the 2026 filing season is expected to be $750 higher than the previous year.Consumers can use their refunds to help pay down the rising debt levels that many Americans have struggled with in 2025. More than two-thirds of Americans expect to receive a tax refund this year, and the majority will use it to pay down their debt. With new and expanded tax breaks from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” the average tax refund for the 2026 filing season…

(Oil Price) – A consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and U.S. gas giant EQT Corp. (NYSE:EQT) have agreed to acquire global power utility, AES Corp. (NYSE:AES), for $15 per share in cash, totaling an enterprise value of approximately $33.4 billion. The deal, which includes major pension and investment funds, represents a ~40% premium for AES shares and includes the assumption of debt with a cash equity value of $10.7 billion. AES will continue to operate as a utility, with regulated businesses in Ohio and Indiana expected to remain under local, state, and federal regulation. The AES acquisition is one of the largest in recent…

January 2026 HighlightsIn January 2026, Cboe FX reached new highs with a monthly Spot ADV of $63.3B, a 33.4% increase versus January 2025 ($47.4B).Cboe SEF ADV1 also topped new records in January at $3.9B, a 37.3% increase versus January 2025 ($2.6B).At $23.2B, Cboe FX ECN Firm ADV2 accounted for 50.6% of the Spot ECN total, highest Firm ADV recorded on Spot ECN, and a 42.2% increase versus January 2025 ($16.3B).At $6.1B, Cboe FX ECN Metals ADV accounted for 13.3% of the Spot ECN total, a new high-water mark and a 349.2% increase versus January 2025 ($1.4B).Cboe’s U.S. Treasuries platform observed…

Travel insurance is a type of coverage that can help protect you from the potential costs of unforeseen circumstances when you’re traveling away from home. This could include injuries, flight delays, rental car damage, lost baggage, or having to cancel a trip. It’s typically worth considering purchasing a travel insurance policy if you have non-refundable expenses, want to have medical costs covered, or simply want additional peace of mind while traveling. It may not be worth buying travel insurance if you can cancel reservations with no penalties, don’t have high-cost bookings, or are already covered through credit card travel insurance.…

The US dollar’s latest surge reflects geopolitical stress more than shifting rate expectations. As energy shocks ripple through markets, the DXY is trading as both safe haven and inflation hedge. This week’s employment data may determine whether the move becomes structural—or fades as a reflex. Decisive times for the world call for decisive thinking in the market. To help you navigate a shifting environment, we’ve lowered the price of our subscription for a limited time. Global markets have moved past the “calm before the storm” and shifted into a full-fledged “defensive” position as geopolitical fault lines deepen. Following recent developments,…

This Week In A Nutshell: We’re in for an unpredictable week with potentially significant moves in rates between the ongoing Iran conflict and important job market data on Friday.   Upcoming Attractions   The two key economic data points this week are the jobs report and retail sales, both on Friday. But fallout from the evolving conflict with Iran could overshadow both. Jobs Report (Friday): Job creation is expected to be lower than last month’s blockbuster number, around 60k vs 130k last month. The unemployment rate is expected to tick up slightly, from 4.3% to 4.4%. These numbers would indicate…

I’m a big gamer, so I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy my favorite hobby. It’s for that reason that the Legion Go Fold Concept immediately caught my attention. It builds on the Legion Go, but introduces a foldable POLED touchscreen that expands from 7.7 inches to 11.6 inches. It aims to deliver something close to a whole at-home gaming rig in a portable form factor. Just like the Legion Go, the side controllers are detachable, and you can use the right-side peripheral as a computer mouse.Also: Is Lenovo’s new SteamOS handheld worth the hype? I tested it, here’s…

Key Takeaways The cost of living in Pierre, South Dakota, is lower than the national average, with median home values and rents significantly less than those in other states.South Dakota has no state income tax, making the state capital a great place to stretch your retirement dollars.From hiking and hunting to museums and heritage centers, Pierre offers something for every retiree. Pierre, South Dakota, lies in the center of the state, and is among Investopedia’s top places for retirees for 2026. Pronounced “peer,” Pierre is the second-smallest state capital in the United States. This small city is located in Hughes…

Key Takeaways Using a $3,000 tax refund to pay down credit card debt at a typical 25% APR could prevent about $750 in interest over a year.Paying off debt with a 25% interest rate is like earning a guaranteed 25% return—far higher than today’s savings account rates.If you lack emergency savings, have a very low APR, or qualify for a 0% balance transfer, other uses for your refund may make more sense. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. It’s one of the few things many people look forward to at tax time: the possibility of…