Author: Money Mechanics

Luxury smartphone brand Vertu on Thursday unveiled a foldable phone powered by an AI agent that connects with enterprise software and coordinates workflows. The company is targeting executives who manage business operations and communications on the move. Called the Alphafold, the foldable smartphone starts at $6,880 for the calfskin version. Higher-end models feature bespoke finishes including alligator leather, 18K gold, and natural diamond accents, along with customized detailing. This continues Vertu’s long-standing strategy of positioning its phones as luxury status symbols aimed at affluent buyers. The company told TechCrunch that its highest-end standard model is currently priced at $46,800, with…

(By Oil & Gas 360) Part I – For decades, the oilfield was built on horsepower, steel, and geology. Now it is increasingly being built on algorithms. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are rapidly transforming how oil and gas companies drill wells, complete reservoirs, manage production, and reduce operational costs. What was once considered one of the world’s most traditional industries is quietly becoming one of its most data-intensive. And the financial impact could be enormous. The modern oilfield generates massive amounts of data every second, drilling metrics, pressure readings, seismic imaging, flow rates, equipment performance, frac designs, logistics movements,…

U.S. home purchase lending plunged to its lowest level in 12 years at the start of 2026, dragged down by elevated home prices and mortgage rates stuck above 6% that sidelined many prospective buyers. Roughly 581,000 home purchase loans were originated from January through March 2026, down 19% from the previous quarter, according to the Q1 2026 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report from real estate data firm ATTOM.This marks the lowest quarterly total since the beginning of 2014—a period when severe winter weather and a decline in exports triggered a sharp and unexpected contraction of the U.S. economy. The latest…

With hundreds of thousands more home sellers than buyers in the market, fewer house hunters feel inclined to make cash offers to stand out in bidding wars. Economic uncertainty is also encouraging buyers to hold onto cash and finance home purchases.  Just under three in 10 (28.8%) U.S. homebuyers paid in all cash in March, down from 29.8% a year earlier. That’s tied with 2021 for the lowest March share since 2020.   The data in this report is from a Redfin analysis of county records across 40 of the most populous U.S. metropolitan areas. March 2026 is the most…

A stunning Spanish-style estate in Los Angeles that was once home to celebrated actress Melanie Griffith has returned to the market for $5.8 million—after being elegantly “reimagined.” Griffith—who is the mother of “Materialists” star Dakota Johnson—purchased the property for $3.75 million in March 2019, according to records, four years after it was sold by another of its very famous owners: TMZ founder Harvey Levin. At the time, the 68-year-old “Lolita” star had been divorced from her third husband, Antonio Banderas, for four years, and the property is located just a short drive from the sprawling Mediterranean-style dwelling they once shared.Griffith…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The main stock indexes struggled for big gains on Wednesday, though a positive showing suggests investors, traders and speculators are generally in a “risk on” mood amid optimism about the long-term durability of the market’s major theme. The geopolitical landscape is still rocky, but the earnings environment remains healthy.The White House rapid response team described a draft peace plan that was reported by Iranian state TV and would open the Strait of Hormuz as a “complete fabrication” and “not true.” At the same time, President Donald Trump told PBS News that Iran won’t get relief from economic…

Micron is seeing an extraordinary bull run, driven by massive demand for memory from the AI sector. Trading at $751, the stock is up 726% from its 52-week low, and despite short-term weakness, Wall Street still rates it a Strong Buy. More News from Barchart Now, there are two simple facts here. One, many investors are bullish on Micron, which means some will be looking for prime entry points likely below its current trading price. Two, increased trading activity usually leads to higher volatility. Now, in my experience, the best way to capitalize on this opportunity is to sell a cash-secured…

Thank you, Neale, for that kind introduction. Being back on Stanford’s campus is always an honor and conjures up great memories. I spent several formative years here—first as a student in the AEA Summer Program, which prepares students to pursue graduate study in economics, and then as a National Fellow at the Hoover Institution. To say that these stints at Stanford were transformative would be an understatement. The summer program prepared me for and set me on a new intellectual and career journey, and my three years here as a postdoc set out an entirely new line of research inquiry.…

Space fever is reaching escape velocity in anticipation of the landmark SpaceX IPO. With substantial money flowing into the sector, investors are scrambling to position for a new era in commercial space. Here are nine notable space stocks that should be on your radar. SpaceX’s public debut is generating massive excitement in the space sector. The company filed its S-1 last week, targeting a potential Nasdaq listing as early as mid-June under ticker . Reports suggest a valuation of up to $2 trillion and a raise of at least $75 billion, which would mark the largest IPO ever.   This…

A construction worker works at a new house being built in Alhambra, California, on March 19, 2026.Frederic J. Brown | Afp | Getty ImagesHomeowners insurance costs have been rising fast in the U.S. — and policyholders are taking notice. About 71% of homeowners said the cost of their homeowners insurance has increased over the past few years, with 42% saying costs have gone up “a lot,” according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. The nonpartisan research group polled 3,524 U.S. adults, including 1,236 homeowners, from March 16 to 22.The data backs up that perception. Insurance premiums jumped…