Author: Money Mechanics

In-brief analysis February 2, 2026 Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates, based on Hitachi Velocity Suite Average wholesale day-ahead electricity prices at most major trading hubs in the Lower 48 states were higher in 2025 than in 2024, driven largely by higher natural gas prices to electric generators. The largest increase in price was $29 per megawatthour (MWh) in New England’s Independent System Operator (ISO-NE), and the largest decrease was $14/MWh in the upper Northwest’s Mid-Columbia. The wholesale price of electricity on the electric power grid reflects the day-ahead and real-time…

Minneapolis unrest fuels budget deadlock risk, raising shutdown fears and pressuring the US dollar. US Dollar weakens as markets eye Fed meeting, with rate cuts now expected later in the year. EUR/USD tests 1.19 resistance, with downside risk toward 1.1600 if momentum fades. Protests in Minneapolis turned violent, with two people shot, and the fallout has reached Washington. Democrats said they will not support the budget bill that needs to be passed by January 30, raising the risk of another US government shutdown. Against this backdrop, the US dollar has weakened, including against the euro, with the pair moving closer…

China’s President Xi Jinping (R) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer shake hands before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 29, 2026.Carl Court | Afp | Getty ImagesChinese businesses have pledged hundreds of millions of pounds’ worth of investment in the U.K. and struck new partnerships with British peers as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China spurred a flurry of bilateral business activity and investment flows. During his four-day visit in China last week, Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping and secured deals that would see hundreds of millions worth of new investments…

Digital meeting notetakers like Read AI, Fireflies.ai, Fathom, and Granola help record and transcribe online meetings. But for in-person or more versatile options, many people prefer physical recording devices These physical notetakers transcribe audio and give users summaries and action items of meetings using AI. Some of these devices are wearable—pins or pendants with dedicated mics for recording—while others are credit-card sized with dedicated mobile apps to transcribe and extract insights using AI. A few even offer live translation. Below is a non-exhaustive list of physical AI notetakers and transcription tools. Plaud Note/Plaud Note Pro This credit card-sized notetaker has…

Key Takeaways Traditional savings accounts preserve your balance but rarely outpace inflation, eroding your money’s value. Balances left dormant for too long may be handed over to the state. It’s smart to put your savings somewhere it can earn a high return. The best high-yield savings accounts pay 12 times the national average. Putting cash away in a savings account feels reassuring, but comfort alone can come at a cost. Between inflation and the rising cost of living, any account earning less than 2% or 3% is quietly losing value over time. With the national average savings rate sitting at…

Stock futures pointed lower Monday to begin a new month of trading, as concerns about artificial intelligence resurfaced. Meanwhile, oil futures sold off as President Donald Trump said he believed Iran was negotiating “seriously” with the U.S.  Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.6%, 0.3%, and less than 0.1%, respectively. Last Friday, the tech-heavy Nasdaq, benchmark S&P 500, and blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average finished down a respective 0.9%, 0.4%, and 0.4% as traders digested the news that Trump had nominated Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. The Dow and S&P 500 finished higher and the Nasdaq…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The One Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed last summer made a number of wide-ranging changes to tax law — some permanent, some temporary.But a few provisions are especially relevant for anyone in or near retirement. In particular, Americans age 65 and older are eligible for an extra $6,000 deduction. (Married couples filing jointly get an extra $12,000 deduction if both spouses are at least 65.)The window of opportunity for that added deduction is limited, though. It goes away after 2028, so you have a few short years to take advantage of it. Also, not everyone qualifies…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For many entrepreneurs and family business owners, selling a company represents the culmination of decades of effort.What often begins as a single idea grows into a highly concentrated asset that defines both net worth and personal identity. When the business is sold, that concentration turns into liquidity, creating both opportunities and risks.The challenge is not simply negotiating a strong price. Taxes, timing, family dynamics and life after ownership all converge in one defining moment. Without thoughtful preparation, even a successful sale can leave owners feeling uncertain about what comes next. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

is entering 2026 with volatility firmly in control, underscoring how quickly sentiment can turn after an extended momentum-driven advance. The metal surged 24% in January, only to give back more than half of that monthly gain in a single session, a sharp reversal that highlights the fragility of pricing after a parabolic climb through 2025. With valuations still elevated, the latest drop is less a surprise than a reminder that corrections are part of restoring balance when markets move too far, too fast. The immediate market reaction has been decisive. Spot gold is down 4.4% at $4,685.59 per ounce, reflecting…

The typical buyer who scored a home for below the list price in 2025 got a 7.9% discount—the largest since 2012.  1 in 4 buyers who got discounts scored 10% or more off the list price—the highest share since 2012.  Nearly two-thirds of all homebuyers got discounts last year—the highest share since 2019. The typical homebuyer who purchased a home for below the list price in 2025 got a 7.9% discount—the largest since 2012. This is based on a Redfin analysis of annual MLS data comparing original list prices with final sale prices. In dollar terms, the typical homebuyer who…