Author: Money Mechanics

Waymo has nearly finalized a new $16 billion funding round that will value the robotaxi company at $110 billion, according to the Financial Times. More than three-fourths of that funding will reportedly come from a source close to home — Alphabet, where Waymo is a subsidiary. (The company was incubated as part of Alphabet’s “moonshot factory” X.) The FT reports that Waymo is bringing on new investors Dragoneer, Sequoia Capital, and DST Global, with existing backers Andreessen Horowitz and Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala also participating in the round. When contacted by TechCrunch, a company spokesperson said in a statement,…

Key Takeaways Rental income requires tenant management, property maintenance, and ongoing oversight, making it semi-passive at best, not hands-off. Dividend stocks, bonds, and REITs come closer to being truly passive since they don’t come with landlord headaches. Most passive income involves trade-offs between upfront capital, risk, and time. When Keith Feinberg CFP hears people call rental income the only “true” passive income, the Chief Wealth Strategist at Five Eleven Partners pushes back. He tells Investopedia that “real estate rental income is not the only true passive income source and is usually more effort than many realize—for example, dealing with tenants,…

Key Takeaways The typical employee contribution rate falls between about 8% and 10%, depending on the data source.When employer matches are added, total savings climb to about 12% to 14% of an employee’s salary.Contribution rates climb with age: workers under 25 save a combined 9.3% of income, according to Vanguard, while those 55 to 64 save 13.8%.If you aren’t reaching the typical figures for your income and age range, you can start by contributing enough to capture your full employer match. The typical American worker is putting away about 8% to 10% in 401(k) and similar savings plans. When employer…

Over the past year, much of the market’s attention has been on and . While investors debated safe-haven flows, central bank buying, and inflation risks, was quietly repricing. Year-to-date, copper is already up around 4%, following a gain of roughly 40% in 2025. Analysts are warning that demand could outpace supply within the next decade.IntroductionWhen Thomas Edison electrified cities in the late 19th century, he relied on copper to transmit electricity from power stations to homes, factories, and streets. Since then, copper has become a foundational material of modern economies, embedded in energy systems, industry, transport, and communications. Today, its…

Following a record-breaking year for the catastrophe bond market, reinsurance broker Howden Re has outlined how these insurance-linked securities (ILS) instruments have remained in favour due to their liquidity and more standardised structure.In its January 2026 reinsurance renewals report, the broker highlighted how cat bonds have become “a fundamental component of many reinsurance programmes.” “In the current environment, they can often offer more favourable pricing than traditional reinsurance, driving further interest from sponsors,” the broker said. 2025 was a substantial year for the catastrophe bond market. Artemis’ data shows that for the first time annual issuance exceeded $20 billion, rising…

If you’re thinking, “I want to sell my HVAC business,” and you’re aiming for a big valuation, you’ll get a better outcome by treating this like a process, not an event. Across the U.S., buyers care most about compliance, repeatable operations, and whether your revenue can hold up beyond your region’s peak seasons (heat waves, cold snaps, and everything in between). This guide walks you through the steps that typically separate an average deal from a top-dollar exit. Want a realistic estimate of what your HVAC business could sell for? Get a valuation range and the key drivers buyers will…

Homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US, on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Zak Bennett | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAfter dropping sharply, mortgage interest rates rose last week for the first time in a month. That pushed total mortgage demand down 8.5% compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $832,750 or less, increased to 6.24% from 6.16%, with points rising to 0.55 from 0.54, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20% down payment. That was the highest rate in…

Adam Breeden/ZDNETWith the recent news that Sony is handing control of the Bravia TV brand to TCL in 2026, retailers are offering discounts to clear the way for the new models scheduled to arrive in 2027. And if you’ve been eyeing the Bravia 8 II as an upgrade to your living room or home theater, you can grab the 65-inch model for $1,100 off right now at Best Buy. Also: The best Sony TVs you can buyThe 55-inch model is also on sale — for $1,000 off — but both sizes are still pricey, selling for over $1,000 (or more) with…

Key Takeaways “Healthiest country” rankings tend to focus on a nation’s current health conditions and systems, while longevity rankings reflect decades of habits and policies. You don’t need to move abroad to live longer: Research on long-lived populations points to habits you can adopt anywhere—daily movement, strong social ties, and preventive care. If you dream of retiring abroad—or just wondering how long your savings need to last—”healthiest country” rankings can have you focus on the wrong measures. Singapore and Taiwan top recent health index rankings, while Japan leads in raw life expectancy at 84.5 years, according to the World Health Organization.…

(BOE Report) – At least three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes loaded in Australia and Canada are heading toward Europe and the Americas instead of their usual destination, Asia, after an Arctic storm curbed exports from the U.S., shiptracking data showed. The diversion of supply away from Asia could tighten supply and support spot LNG prices in the region. While much of the Northern Hemisphere saw colder-than-usual weather in the past week, an Arctic storm in the U.S. cut gas output and curbed LNG exports from Gulf Coast terminals, lifting prices globally on rising demand. “Pacific cargoes may be drawn into the…