Author: Money Mechanics

Strong buying into US spot Bitcoin ETFs early in the week lifted confidence and pushed prices into the $92,000 to $94,000 range. That momentum faded midweek as ETF outflows picked up, pulling Bitcoin back toward $90,000. On the institutional side, led by Michael Saylor added 1,286 BTC, reinforcing the pattern of large buyers stepping in during dips. On the macro side, markets reacted to uncertainty over the interest rate path, causing sharp shifts in risk appetite. On-chain data showed a clear drop in profit-taking, suggesting selling pressure had eased. The rebound also came with a lower supply hitting the market,…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump said he would instruct mortgage firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy up to $200 billion in mortgage bonds, which he said would bring down mortgage rates.It’s unclear how much impact the move would make on the market for mortgage bonds, which is currently valued at around $11 trillion. President Trump has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move aimed at lowering rates that have kept many would-be homeowners stuck on the sidelines. “I am instructing my Representatives to BUY $200 BILLION DOLLARS IN MORTGAGE BONDS.…

Key Takeaways Many safe cash options are still delivering competitive yields in the 3–5% range if you know where to look. The best savings accounts, CDs, brokerage options, and Treasuries continue to offer solid returns without taking on market risk. Choosing the right account can make a meaningful difference in what your cash earns—whether you’re saving $10K or much more. See Where Cash Is Paying the Most Right Now—All in One Chart With rates gradually drifting lower, many savers are rethinking where to keep their cash. The good news is that today’s safest places to park money are still offering…

(World Oil) –  The Trump administration is unlikely to provide financial support to help U.S. oil companies revitalize Venezuela’s oil sector, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Friday, throwing cold water on hopes the multibillion-dollar effort would be subsidized by the U.S. government. “The capital is going to come from the capital markets and come from the energy companies,” Burgum, who also leads the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, told Bloomberg Television. “I don’t see that these companies are going to need support from the U.S., other than things around security. If we can provide a secure, stable environment, the…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump posted a graph on social media Thursday night that revealed information about the as-yet-unpublished jobs report scheduled for Friday morning.The Bureau of Labor Statistics tries to prevent early release of information to ensure no one gains an unfair trading advantage from the data.The White House said the early release was inadvertent, and it was taking steps to prevent it from happening again. If you wanted to know how the jobs market was doing at the end of the year, you could have waited until Friday morning’s highly anticipated December jobs report—or you could have gotten…

Key Takeaways Goldman Sachs strategists expect post-earnings volatility to exceed what’s currently being priced into options.They argue options traders are underestimating the potential upside for stocks including Meta, UnitedHealth Group, and Robinhood, which they expect to beat earnings expectations.Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments are among the stocks that could decline more than traders expect following their quarterly reports. Earnings season is around the corner. Goldman Sachs’ analysts have ideas about how to trade it. Options pricing suggests traders expect the average S&P 500 stock to move up or down 4.5% after earnings, near the lowest level of implied volatility in…

Key Takeaways A lump sum of money can meaningfully strengthen your finances if you take time to decide where it can help to achieve your goals instead of spending it impulsively.You don’t have to choose just one use for extra money—splitting it across priorities can help you make progress on several goals at once.Putting a lump sum toward saving, paying down debt, or investing for the long term can improve flexibility and reduce financial stress. When a large check arrives, it’s tempting to treat it like free money and spend it quickly. But a lump sum—whether it comes from a…

Key Takeaways Obamacare premiums have skyrocketed in 2026, prompting people to consider health insurance alternatives as the Jan. 15 end date for open enrollment approaches. Alternatives such as non-compliant private plans, short-term health insurance, and health care ministries can lower monthly costs but offer significantly less coverage than the best Obamacare plans.  Consider the health needs of you and your family, read the fine print, and understand your worst-case scenarios in order to assess your 2026 options.   As the end of open enrollment for Obamacare plans approaches, some individuals facing significant premium increases are seeking alternatives to the Health Insurance…

Key Takeaways The Russell 2000 and the S&P 600 have risen more than 4% in the first few trading days of 2026.A BofA Global Research screen turned up 30 stocks with 12-month price targets that imply average implied upside of almost 30%. The stock market’s underdogs may be ready to lead the pack. Small-caps—generally, companies with market capitalizations between about $250 million and $2 billion—are poised to outpace their larger peers this year, Wall Street analysts say. The group’s early 2026 outperformance supports that view: The S&P 600 and the Russell 2000, benchmark indexes for that category, have risen more…

Key Takeaways President Trump said he had a “great meeting” with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, sending shares of the chipmaker soaring Friday.Trump said the government is “proud” to be a major Intel shareholder after taking a 10% stake in the chipmaker last year. Intel’s stock hit its highest point in nearly two years Friday, thanks to a social media post. The chipmaker’s stock was up nearly 10% in recent trading, making it one of the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 Friday after President Trump praised Intel (INTC) CEO Lip-Bu Tan on social media. “I just finished a great meeting…