Author: Money Mechanics

Big round numbers are in play and in that regard, one question for investors to consider is this: Could hit $5000 while the Dow hits 50,000 and hits $100? It seems likely and gold stock enthusiasts may want to also note that is also closing in on the $100 marker. Does this mean that red-hot geopolitical action is reaching a crescendo and a significant lull will soon occur? Well, nothing goes up in a straight line forever, but what about… straight down? The “Death of the Dollar” chart. Clearly, investors (and regular citizens) need to focus on getting more gold…

Let’s start this month by remembering the absolute dumpster-fire that was last month’s CPI. The number for November was patently ridiculous on its face, and it took mere minutes to realize that the BLS was showing 2-month changes for what were essentially one-month changes: “Because what it looks like is that for many series the BLS didn’t calculate a two-month change based on the current price level – it looks like, especially for housing, they assumed October’s change was zero so that the two-month change reported for this month was actually a one-month change spread over two months. For example,…

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.As hyperscalers like Nvidia, Amazon, Google and Meta announce more and more data center projects, cries of a bubble have been growing. Some say the sector is already overbuilding for a market that is still in its infancy with many unknowns ahead. There are also concerns that the financing…

Key Takeaways Gen X expects to fall more than $400,000 short of what they think they’ll need for a comfortable retirement. This gap stems from the shift away from pensions toward 401(k)s, which left Gen X without many of the automatic 401(k) features younger workers rely on today. Among American adults, those in Gen X face the largest retirement savings shortfall, a recent survey by Schroders, the asset management firm, found. While on average, those in this generation, born between 1965 and 1980, think they’ll need more than $1.1 million to retire comfortably, they expect to retire with about saved,…

(Oil Price) – Hydrocarbons are set to meet about three-quarters of the expected 500% surge in power demand from data centers, as the AI boom and global economic growth push energy demand “accelerating across every dimension,” Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC chief executive, said on Tuesday. The surge in AI use and the data centers to handle the technologies are set to boost power demand from data centers by 500% by 2040, Al Jaber, who is also UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Soaring power demand means oil and gas will play a major role in…

Key Takeaways Gregory, South Dakota experiences few natural disasters, which helps retirees avoid high insurance premiums and costly property damage. The cost of living is well below the national average, with a 2026 median home price of $105,000 and lower everyday expenses. South Dakota has no personal income tax, and seniors may also qualify for property tax relief programs that further reduce expenses. Disaster-Proof Retirement in Gregory Many retirees move for warmer weather, often to Florida, Arizona, or the Carolinas, but those areas face risks like hurricanes, floods, and extreme heat. Growing concerns about climate change are prompting some retirees…

Key Takeaways Delta’s 2026 profit outlook came in below Wall Street expectations, sending shares lower Tuesday.The airline continues to rely heavily on credit card partnerships for profit while passenger flying loses money for the company. Delta Air Lines (DAL) isn’t living up to its “Keep Climbing” motto—in the eyes of investors, at least. The company’s profit forecasts came in below expectations, sending shares down 2% in early trading Tuesday. The JETS ETF, which includes airline shares, was recently retreating; shares of some other major airlines also slipped, with American (AAL) off about 1% and Southwest (LUV) edging lower. Read Investopedia’s…

Key Takeaways L3Harris shares climbed to a record high Tuesday after the company announced an investment in its missile solutions segment from the federal government.With that investment, L3Harris announced plans to spin off the division to its own public company in the second half of this year. L3Harris (LHX) shares are rising to fresh highs Tuesday, thanks to a show of support from the U.S. government. The shares were up about 3% at $350 Tuesday morning, leaving the shares on track to top Monday’s record close after the defense contractor said it plans to spin off one of its divisions…

Key Takeaways Getting laid off right before retirement can feel overwhelming, but you can still achieve a financially secure retirement. If you get laid off unexpectedly, take a breath, review your finances, and avoid rushed decisions. Avoid dipping into your 401(k) or claiming Social Security early, as those moves can cost you more in the long run. Reassess your retirement timeline and consider part-time or consulting work. If you’ve just been laid off and retirement is around the corner, it may be stressful, especially if you were looking to save more before leaving the workforce. While you may feel powerless…

Key Takeaways President Trump called for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates, effective Jan. 20, the anniversary of his inauguration.Points and miles expert Tiffany Funk says the rate cap could mean fewer points and higher fees for cards. The president’s proposal to cap credit-card interest rates could mean upheaval for rewards aficionados, an expert told Investopedia. President Donald Trump’s idea—to cap rates at 10%—might mean relief for some card users but also substantially limit access to credit for many Americans with lower credit scores. (Trump on Friday wrote on Truth Social that “Effective January 20, 2026, I, as…