Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Bill Gates on Wednesday warned the AI industry will be “hypercompetitive,” and that “a reasonable percentage” of today’s pricey tech stocks will lose a lot of their value.Big Tech’s huge data center investments fueled concerns about an AI bubble and weighed on tech stocks in November. Bill Gates has again warned AI investors that not everyone will be a winner, and the workforce disruption is coming faster than governments realize. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, the Microsoft (MSFT) cofounder warned that AI’s impact on employment will be widespread within four to five years.…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you could achieve all your financial goals with less risk, would you? I ask every new client this question, and the answer is almost always “Yes.”Yet many investors unknowingly take on more risk than necessary because their financial strategy is inefficient. The good news is that by making your retirement plan more efficient, you can potentially earn similar or even better returns while taking on less risk.Are you being financially efficient?When I review a client’s situation, I often find they aren’t doing it wrong; they’re just doing it inefficiently. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Many retirees tell me the same thing: “Joe, I don’t want to check the market every day, and I don’t want to make a stupid mistake.”Our clients — hardworking, frugal, diligent savers — do not want to jeopardize their past 30 to 40 years of hard work and sacrifice. Yet, many retirees I talk with are unknowingly taking more risk than they ever intended, which is why the old-school, cookie-cutter 60/40 portfolio is encouraged to maintain a balance between protection and growth.The problem is that the 60/40 portfolio may not be as personalized and could even be…

Four of the ‘Magnificent 7’ tech stocks prepare to report quarterly results next week. AI-driven momentum is powering most of the group, except for Tesla and Apple, where cracks are showing. With these mega-cap tech titans holding significant weight in major indices, their results will set the tone for broader market trends. Looking for actionable trade ideas? Subscribe now to unlock access to InvestingPro’s AI-selected stock winners and save 55%! With over $10 trillion in combined market cap and a volatile start to the year, Microsoft (NASDAQ:), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:), Tesla (NASDAQ:), and Apple (NASDAQ:) are about to deliver results…

Aetna, the health, medical and benefits insurance unit of CVS Health, has now secured the targeted $250 million of health care related reinsurance from its new Vitality Re XVII Ltd (Series 2026) catastrophe bond, pricing all three tranches at the top of initial guidance or above.Aetna, the health, medical and benefits insurance unit of CVS Health, returned to the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market earlier this month, seeking $250 million of health care related reinsurance from its regular January Vitality Re issuance. The company has been a particularly consistent sponsor, bringing Vitality Re health insurance ILS deals in catastrophe bond form…

If you’re overwhelmed by unsecured debt (like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and collections) and looking for a legitimate way to reduce what you owe, Accredited Debt Relief is a name you’ll likely come across. This review is updated for 2026 and focuses on the details that matter most: what the program actually is, what it can and can’t help with, what to ask before you enroll, and what current third-party ratings look like. Our #1 Debt Relief Pick for 2026: New Era Debt Solutions If you want a direct debt settlement provider (not a loan company) with a…

People shop at a Costco store in the Staten Island borough of New York City, U.S., Jan. 16, 2026. Brendan McDermid | ReutersInflation drifted slightly further from the Federal Reserve’s target in November though in line with expectations, according to the central bank’s preferred gauge released Thursday.The personal consumption expenditures price index, a Commerce Department measure the central bank uses as its main forecasting tool, showed inflation at 2.8% for the month both for headline and core, in line with the Dow Jones consensus. In addition, the department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the rate for October was 2.7%…

Big Tech companies and upcoming startups want to use generative AI to build software and hardware for kids. A lot of those experiences are limited to text or voice, and kids might not find that captivating. Three former Google employees want to get over that hurdle with their generative AI-powered interactive app, Sparkli. Sparkli was founded last year by Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang. As parents, Poojary and Kang were not able to satisfy their children’s curiosity or give engaging answers to their questions. “Kids, by definition, are very curious, and my son would ask me questions about…

(Oil Price) – The acquisition of ChampionX helped the world’s biggest oilfield services provider, SLB (NYSE: SLB), raise its North America revenue by 15% in the fourth quarter versus Q3 despite the softer market in the U.S. shale industry. SLB, which completed the acquisition of chemicals and engineering oilfield services provider ChampionX in the third quarter, saw its North America revenue surge by 26% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, the company said in its Q4 results release on Friday. SLB reported $0.78 earnings per share for the fourth quarter, up by 13% sequentially, but down 15% year on year. The EPS beat the…

Key Takeaways Leaving your 401(k) with your former employer keeps funds invested and growing tax deferred, but you can’t make new contributions.Rolling over the funds to an IRA gives you more investment choices, lower fees, and greater control over your savings.Transferring the funds to a new employer’s 401(k) can maximize employer matches and consolidate accounts, but new plans may have limited options or higher fees. When you leave a job, it’s important to decide what to do with your 401(k), because each option affects your taxes, fees, and long-term savings. One Reddit user shared their experience when changing jobs: “My…