Author: Money Mechanics

After rocketing parabolic in a popular speculative mania, violently crashed. It suffered some of its biggest down days ever in recent weeks, shockingly-brutal plummetings. Silver’s past reckonings after extreme toppings failing in crashes argue this current savage selloff remains far from over. Following rare vertical moonshots, silver has suffered big-and-fast symmetrical collapses erasing much of their blistering gains. Even before silver’s extraordinary soaring in recent months, it has long had a cult-like following among super-bullish enthusiasts. They brook no dissent from contrarians, attacking any opinions not advancing silver’s to-the-moon party line. But like all markets, volatile silver prices perpetually flow…

Catastrophe bonds and insurance-linked securities became increasingly embedded in reinsurance programmes in 2025, a trend set to continue as investors increasingly look to long-term allocations to the asset class, executives from Howden Capital Markets & Advisory (HCMA) have explained.Reflecting on a busy year for cat bonds and ILS in 2025, HCMA explained that, “Investor appetite across reinsurance and insurance-linked securities (ILS) evolved markedly in 2025, as capital continued to flow into the sector amid attractive risk-adjusted returns and growing institutional confidence.” Over the course of last year’s record levels of issuance, “catastrophe bonds continued their shift from niche to mainstream…

Calculate How Inflation Changes the Value of Money Over Time Use this Cumulative Inflation Calculator to see how purchasing power changes between two dates. Enter an amount and select the start and end dates (month and year) to instantly calculate cumulative inflation and determine what your money would be worth today. This tool uses historical U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data to measure inflation accurately across decades. Whether you’re researching historical prices, planning investments, or adjusting past earnings for inflation, this calculator provides a fast, reliable way to compare dollar values over time. Inflation Calculators: » Cumulative Inflation Calculator  »…

High home prices, faltering supply and weaker consumer confidence in the economy all continue to weigh on the U.S. housing market. The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, is calling it “a new housing crisis.”Sales of previously owned homes in January dropped a much wider-than-expected 8.4% from December to a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 3.91 million, according to the NAR. Sales were 4.4% lower than January 2025. That is the slowest pace since December 2023 and the biggest monthly drop since February 2022.This count is based on closings, so contracts that were likely signed in November…

(World Oil) – Halliburton has introduced a new injection system designed to support carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) operations, as operators seek improved reliability and performance in CO₂ injection wells. The XTR™ CS injection system is a wireline-retrievable safety valve engineered for use in CCUS wells, where high pressures, temperatures and corrosive conditions can present operational challenges. The system can function as a primary or contingency safety valve and may also be deployed as a deep-set flowback prevention device in injection environments. According to the company, the system features a non-elastomeric design intended to reduce potential leak paths and eliminate reliance on hydraulic…

Key Takeaways Net worth is a clear way to see your full financial picture, showing what you own, what you owe, and how your wealth changes over time.Comparing your net worth to national medians can reveal whether you’re ahead or behind your peers and can motivate you to set realistic financial goals. The Average Net Worth by Age—Here’s How You Compare Ever wondered how your finances stack up to others your age? The best way to find out isn’t by comparing salaries or home values—it’s by looking at your net worth, which is essentially the amount of what you own…

A closely watched retail earnings report and some inflation data will highlight a holiday shortened trading wek. Markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. Once trading resumes, investors will be getting data delayed by last year’s shutdown, including Friday’s release of the the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report for December, updated housing starts and home sales data, and the U.S. trade deficit. Retail giant Walmart will be in the spotlight Thursday when it releases its quarterly earnings report. Traders are also expecting financial updates from John Deere, Analog Devices, Palo Alto Networks, Carvana, and DoorDash. Read to the bottom…

Key Takeaways People in their 20s carry an average of nearly $20,000 in total debt, with student loans making up the bulk of that for most.Young adults have ample time to manage their debt before it negatively impacts their finances.Well-managed debt will allow you to cover payments without stress. If you’re in your 20s and staring down a pile of debt, you’re not alone. The average person in their 20s owes $19,962, including mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and car payments. About 42% of adults aged 18-29 who went to college carry student loan debt, and Gen Z holds an…

Key Takeaways Roanoke, Virginia, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of Investopedia’s best places to retire.The cost of living in Roanoke is lower than the national average, with median home values and rents less than those in other states.From hiking and biking to museums and festivals, Roanoke offers something for every retiree. Roanoke is known as the “Star City of the South,” and it’s one of Investopedia’s 100 best places to retire. Nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s the largest metropolitan city along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Situated in the Roanoke Valley in Roanoke County, it features…

Key Takeaways The average 401(k) balance for people in their 60s was $577,454 as of November 2025. The median amount saved was much lower, at $186,902.How much you need to have saved for retirement will depend on your lifestyle and annual spending expectations. One rule of thumb is to save eight times your annual preretirement income by age 60. When you hit your 60s and retirement is right around the corner, you might find yourself thinking a lot about your 401(k). How does what you have saved compare to other people your age? And how much do you really need…