Author: Money Mechanics

Cboe Global Indices is a leader in the creation and dissemination of volatility and derivatives-based indices, offering services that span product design, calculation, administration, listing, trading, and benchmark licensing. As the largest U.S. options exchange operator, Cboe’s pool of derivatives data and proprietary pricing algorithms enable its Global Indices team to develop complex index concepts that are central to Cboe’s ecosystem. Read on for a recap of the Cboe Global Indices launches and milestones achieved in the fourth quarter of 2025.Index Launches in Q4 2025Cboe launched six new indices in the fourth quarter of 2025.Cboe Magnificent 10 Index (MGTN) -…

Key Takeaways The average credit card balance per borrower in the U.S. was $6,618 at in 2025, up about 1.2% from 2024.Total U.S. credit card debt is about $1.21 trillion, up 5.9% from the previous year.Keeping debt in check starts with limiting spending, making extra payments when you can, focusing on the highest-interest debt first, and committing to reducing balances over time. If your credit card bill keeps rising month after month, you’re not alone. Many Americans have seen their balances grow amid inflation and rising living costs. Plus, it can be difficult to keep track of your actual spending…

Chen ZhaoChen Zhao is the head of economics research, where she produces research on the housing market for public and internal audiences. Previously, she was an executive director leading housing finance and financial markets research at the JPMorgan Chase Institute. Prior to joining JPMCI, Chen was an economics consultant at Analysis Group, Inc., where she worked on financial litigation cases and led teams conducting health economics and outcomes research on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. While in graduate school, Chen was with the Center for Economic Studies and the Social Economic and Housing Statistics Division at the US Census Bureau, where…

When Justin Kim, co-founder and CEO of Hupo, first launched his company about four years ago, it wasn’t selling AI-powered sales coaching to banks, finance services, or insurance companies. The company originally began as Ami, a mental wellness platform focused on how people manage pressure, form habits, and change behavior over time. “I’ve always been a big sports fan – basketball, football, Formula One, MMA – and what draws me to all of them is performance. In my free time, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what actually drives human performance. People are very different, but across sports,…

Key Takeaways Brokerage commissions, bid-ask spreads, and taxes steadily erode your returns, even when your stock picks look smart on paper. Buffett’s decade‑long $1 million bet proved the point. A low‑cost S&P 500 index fund beat a hand-picked basket of hedge funds by almost four‑to‑one between 2008 and 2017. Skill is rare, costs are certain. While some research suggests frequent trading can be rational, Buffett counters that “the great majority of managers who attempt to over‑perform will fail.” You may have heard that most day traders lose money over time, and that passive index investing is the way to go.…

Key Takeaways Airline earnings are set to kick off this week with results from Delta. United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others are set to follow later this month.Investors and analysts are likely to focus on their outlooks for 2026, and what executives have to say about the state of travel demand. Investors could get an early peek into the outlook for travel demand this year as major airlines start reporting earnings this week. Delta Air Lines (DAL) is set to lead the way with its results on Tuesday. Several others will follow later in the month, with United Airlines (UAL)…

Key Takeaways Gold rose to a record-high $4,640 an ounce on Monday morning following news the Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation related to testimony by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.The investigation renewed investor concerns about the independence of the Fed, which has long been insulated from the influence of elected officials.President Donald Trump on Sunday denied knowledge of the investigation. Gold prices surged to a record high Monday as investors turned to the traditional safe haven amid fresh concerns that the independence of the Federal Reserve could be jeopardized. The Justice Department on Friday threatened Fed Chair Jerome…

Key Takeaways AI-driven shopping experiences present new revenue opportunities for fintech companies, according to Oppenheimer’s fintech analysts.Mastercard and Visa are the analysts’ top large-cap picks. Artificial intelligence could soon transform online “window shopping.” That could bode well for some fintech stocks. As AI agents start to manage the shopping experience—from prompt to payment—within a single chat or app, Mastercard (MA) and Visa (V) are among the firms that stand to benefit, according to Wall Street analysts, with a leg up over companies like PayPal (PYPL), Stripe and Adyen. The opportunity in “agentic commerce” depends on stable consumer spending, which has…

Key Takeaways Adults who experienced adverse childhood events end up with a net wealth 44% to 77% less in their 50s and 60s, according to a recent study.Lower earnings, higher unemployment, and less stable marriages help explain why these early-life experiences can undermine long-term wealth and retirement security.Catch-up contributions, finding work that’s sustainable later in life, and delaying Social Security can help narrow the savings gap. Enduring childhood abuse or a parental divorce often has negative consequences for a person’s wealth later in life, says a recent report from the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College. And that…

Key Takeaways A DOJ investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell hasn’t changed expectations for the Fed’s next interest rate decision.Markets still put the odds of a rate cut at about 5% for the Fed’s Jan. 28 announcement, essentially unchanged since the news broke.Rate decisions are made by a committee following a set process, and there’s no sign that the probe will alter that path. What’s Happening With the DOJ Probe—And Why It’s Catching Attention The Justice Department (DOJ) has opened a criminal probe involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, an unusual development arriving just weeks before the Fed’s next interest…