Author: Money Mechanics

Registration of new collateralized insurer class of companies in Bermuda soared to its highest level ever in 2025, helping lift catastrophe bond and insurance-linked security (ILS) related registrations above the prior year, while new cat bond issuance structures also rose compared to 2024.The latest data available from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) shows that registrations of new company structures for use in insurance-linked securities arrangements, as well as other alternative or third-party reinsurance capital related use-cases, remained very strong in 2025. The catastrophe bond remains the single biggest driver of new ILS related company registrations in Bermuda, the regulator’s data…

Despite escalating political pressure from President Donald Trump, the Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting this week. Amid a somewhat softening labor market, inflation pressures and an uncertain geopolitical landscape, futures market pricing is implying almost no chance of a rate cut, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch gauge. The Fed’s pause may disappoint Americans eager for lower debt payments, according to Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst. “Even so, rates on several types of loans are at their lowest levels in years and are likely to keep falling, at least for a little while longer,” Schulz said. “That’s welcome news…

Key Takeaways Shares of CoreWeave soared on Monday after the cloud provider expanded its partnership with AI chip giant Nvidia. CoreWeave was one of the stocks hit hardest by concerns about an AI bubble last year, when investors intensely scrutinized how companies are financing the data center boom. Shares of CoreWeave jumped on Monday after the cloud computing company extended its partnership with Nvidia, a tie-up that last year helped fuel Wall Street’s AI bubble debate. The companies on Monday announced they had expanded their partnership to accelerate CoreWeave’s development of AI data centers operating on Nvidia’s technology stack. Nvidia,…

(BOE Report) – U.S. natural gas futures soared by a record 89% over five days to a three-year high on Monday after an Arctic blast at the weekend froze oil and gas wells, cutting gas production to a two-year low on Sunday. On Monday, front-month gas futures for February delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) rose 64.3 cents, or 12.2%, to $5.918 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), putting the contract on track for its highest close since December 2022. Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the Lower 48 states dropped to 106.9 billion cubic feet…

January’s heightened volatility points to a rocky start to the year and may foreshadow continued uncertainty ahead. Despite this backdrop, investors have remained surprisingly resilient, showing little anxiety over global economic and geopolitical headwinds.With investors appearing comparatively less nervous, rising expectations of Fed rate cuts in 2026 and the potential for a more accommodative regulatory environment, the risk appetite of investors might increase, adding another tailwind for the IPO market.According to EY, global IPO sentiment is turning cautiously optimistic, backed by improving macro trends, monetary policy clarity and sustained enthusiasm for AI and technology-led growth stories.One of the most compelling…

Key Takeaways USA Rare Earth received $1.6 billion in proposed federal funding to expand mine-to-magnet operations.The company raised $1.5 billion in private sector investment through a PIPE transaction. USA Rare Earth (USAR) is starting the week on a high note with a public-private funding deal that is lifting the company’s shares. The Stillwater, Okla.-based company’s stock was recently 14% higher, extending a hot 2026 run that nevertheless has the shares still off late-2025 highs. The company signed a non-binding letter of intent with the Commerce Department to get $1.6 billion in federal funding in exchange for issuing the agency more than…

Ed Tom ▬ January 26, 2026 Link to Report: Macro Volatility DigestWHAT STANDS OUT:Implied volatilities were higher across the major asset classes last week as the markets strove to process the economic implications of the US’ demand for Greenland. Gold and silver volatilities led the advance as prices for both metals set record highs. Option sentiment for gold was overwhelmingly bullish with continued demand for upside optionality for the safe haven asset; driving the call/put volume ratio to 4.2, more than double GLD’s typical call/put ratio of 1.8.Although the unexpectedness of last week’s geopolitical/ trade tensions initially sparked fears of…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Every few years, predictions resurface that the U.S. dollar is on the brink of losing its dominant role in global finance. Lately, those warnings have grown louder. Clients ask: “Is dollar dominance finally ending?”The list of concerns is familiar: A national debt exceeding $37 trillion, a trade deficit near $1.2 trillion, stubborn inflation, the rise of cryptocurrencies, a stock market bubble and a belief that a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) currency will soon take over.Yet history tells a different story. In the 1990s, many believed Japan’s yen would dethrone the dollar. Later, the…

Key Takeaways Travel enthusiasts are drawn to Brazil for its incredible landscapes and historic sights, but inflation and crime can make retiring there more difficult than a short-term stay. Even with a designated path to citizenship, Brazilian immigration can be slow and stressful to navigate.  Despite being the largest country in South America, Brazil is the only Latin American nation with Portuguese as its official language, an added linguistic hurdle for most Americans. Travel + Leisure has named Brazil its 2026 Destination of the Year for its extravagant festivals, diverse landscapes, and flavorful cuisines. If you’re attracted to Brazil’s rich…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Do you know anything about your parents’ estate plan? Do they have one? Do you know where it is?You may assume they have one. Everyone gets one when they retire, right?Not quite. Actually, not even close. 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 Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper…