Author: Money Mechanics

Turning 65 is a major milestone, but it often comes with a mountain of paperwork and confusing jargon. Among the most stressful aspects of Medicare are the hidden ‘late enrollment penalties’ that can catch retirees off guard. Fortunately, these costs are entirely avoidable if you know the rules. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what these penalties are and how you can protect your retirement budget from unnecessary lifelong fees.Whether you are still working or planning to retire this year, understanding the 2026 penalty structures for Parts A, B and D is essential for your financial health.Here’s what you…

Truist analyst Youssef Squali raised the firm’s price target on Meta Platforms (META) to $900 from $875 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm is citing the company’s stronger Q4 results and impressive Q1 guide reflecting robust ad demand fueled by AI improvements across ad recommendations, monetization and user engagement, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Claim 50% Off TipRanks Premium Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio’s potential Published first on TheFly – the…

Bitcoin selloff accelerated by Fed uncertainty and forced liquidations in leveraged futures positions. Break below 85,150 shifted market psychology, turning former support into near term resistance. Oversold conditions allow rebounds, but reclaiming 90,000 remains key for confidence recovery. In the latter half of the week, saw a sharp drop as market sentiment turned more cautious. The selloff was driven mainly by uncertainty around the Federal Reserve and concerns that financial conditions could tighten again. The decline accelerated because many leveraged traders were forced to close their positions in the derivatives market. As prices fell, liquidations in futures trading triggered further…

An apartment for rent sign hangs outside of an apartment building on Dec. 4, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty ImagesApartment rents continued their slide into the new year, as fresh supply still makes its way through the market, and landlords strive to gain pricing power over a struggling consumer. The national median rent in January was $1,353, a drop of 1.4% compared with one year ago, according to Apartment List. This is now the fourth consecutive winter with a “pronounced” offseason dip, and is the largest annual drop since September 2023 and the lowest January rent…

January 30, 2026 08:02 AM EST Interest Rate Changes Could Be on the Way Under Trump’s Pick for Fed Chair FROM 15 minutes ago The nation’s next top banker could be less inclined to steeply cut interest rates than others who were vying for the job.On Friday, President Donald Trump said on social media that former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh will be his nominee to chair the central bank. If approved by the Senate, Warsh will take over the position in May, when current Chair Jerome Powell’s leadership term expires. Warsh served as a Fed governor between 2006 and…

Key Takeaways Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Fed chair, could be less aggressive about cutting interest rates than some of the other candidates Trump chose from.Warsh advocated lower interest rates, but would face constraints in making that a reality. The nation’s next top banker could be less inclined to steeply cut interest rates than others who were vying for the job.On Friday, President Donald Trump said on social media that former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh will be his nominee to chair the central bank. If approved by the Senate, Warsh will take over the position in May,…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump has selected former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as his nominee to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve after Jerome Powell’s term ends in May.Warsh has argued for lower interest rates, and as Fed chair, will be in a position to influence them. President Donald Trump has selected former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the central bank.Warsh, who served as a Fed governor between 2006 and 2011, beat out several finalists for the job, including Trump economic advisor Kevin Hassett and BlackRock executive Rick Rieder. Warsh will…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Last year was eventful for financial markets. Stocks (despite a deep dive in the spring) and bonds performed quite well as interest rates dropped.Will the boom times continue in 2026? Perhaps, but no one has a crystal ball. What is certain is that financial markets, especially stocks, don’t go up forever.The reckoning will come, but no one knows when it will happen, and if you’re not properly positioned, it can be terrifying. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special…

(Image credit: Getty Images)A financial plan is not a static document — it’s a dynamic road map designed to help you achieve your short-term and long-term goals.While creating a financial plan is an important first step, its true value lies in how well it adapts to changes in your life, the economy and your objectives.Here are six reasons why regularly reviewing your financial plan is vital if it is to remain relevant, effective and aligned with your evolving circumstances and goals. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99,…

China underpinned oil prices in 2025 by aggressively stockpiling crude. Crude imports hit record highs, with December stockpiling estimated at 2.67 million bpd—the fastest pace since 2020—as Beijing took advantage of low prices and expanded storage capacity. Stockbuilding is set to remain a key market stabilizer in 2026, with China potentially adding up to 170 million barrels to storage. China played a big role in supporting in 2025 as it accelerated crude stockpiling and absorbed part of the additional supply that producers put on the market. Despite the easing of the OPEC+ cuts, the large supply growth from the Americas,…