Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Meta on Friday announced deals with a trio of nuclear energy companies to power its data centers.Vistra will provide energy from its current reactors, while startups Oklo and TerraPower will sell Meta power as they build reactors into the 2030s, the companies said. Several nuclear energy stocks surged Friday morning thanks to new agreements with a Big Tech giant. Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms (META) said Friday it’s reached agreements with nuclear energy provider Vistra Corp. (VST), along with startup Oklo (OKLO) and Bill Gates-backed TerraPower. The Vistra deal will provide power to Meta from its currently…

Key Takeaways The U.S. economy added 50,000 jobs in December, below expectations and fewer than the 56,000 in November.The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% from 4.5%, below expectations for 4.5%.Overall, the report showed the job market staying in a low hiring, low firing limbo. The job market improved by one measure but stayed relatively slow in December.U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4% from a downwardly-revised 4.5% in November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. The relatively slow job growth was slightly below the downwardly-revised 56,000 added in November, and was…

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that his administration plans to ban large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, a step he says is intended to help lower home prices and expand opportunities for everyday buyers. In his January 7 post, Trump framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to restore the “American Dream” of homeownership.The announcement did not include details about how such a ban would be carried out, but Trump said he intends to “[call] on Congress to codify it” into law and would be taking steps “immediately.” The president said he plans to discuss…

(Image credit: Getty Images)With the Federal Reserve resuming rate cuts, many investors and advisers might be reassessing their short-term liquidity strategies.Thanks to their stable value, minimal duration and attractive yields, money market funds have become enormously popular in recent years, amassing a record high of $7.5 trillion in assets as of July, according to the SEC.But money market funds are just one option for managing short-term liquidity needs. Ultra-short and short-term bond ETFs are gaining traction among advisers; ultra-short ETFs are the fastest-growing fixed income ETF category over the past year. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become…

(Image credit: Getty Images)So 2026 is in full swing. And, boy, are we swinging. We’re finally going to eat better, exercise more, save more, spend less, and while we are at it, there has to be less expensive insurance out there.Insurance shopping is one of those adult tasks that sits in the same category as changing the furnace filter, replacing the battery in the smoke detector (by the way, do that) or putting into action all the information from those self-help books you’ve read.Insurance always tops the chart of places people think they can save money. I mean, we paid…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When people hear the phrase “estate planning,” they often think it’s something reserved for the extremely wealthy — high-net-worth individuals with multiple properties, complex portfolios or family businesses.But in my experience working with clients across West Michigan, estate planning is valuable for almost everyone, regardless of their net worth.Many of my clients have built their wealth over time through consistent saving, steady careers and practical financial decisions. While they might not consider themselves “wealthy,” their assets — a paid-off home, retirement accounts and life insurance — can easily add up to seven figures. From just $107.88 $24.99…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The start of a new year is a time to reset and focus on healthy habits, whether that means a new exercise routine or eating more healthily. It’s also an excellent time to check whether your finances are in a good place your financial health is in a good place.In particular, those nearing retirement need to understand their finances and the impact their decisions have on their financial future.But regardless of your age, a solid financial plan will help you navigate the different stages of life. It can help you budget to buy a house, start a…

Each week, in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on topics submitted by readers. This week she’s looking at four questions on the IRS tax filing season and your 2025 tax return. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Tax Letter or subscribe.)1. When can I file my 2025 tax return?Question: When does IRS plan to open the 2026 tax filing season?Joy Taylor: The IRS just announced that it will open the 2026 filing season on January 26. That’s about a week later than some other years, likely because of the “One…

Key Takeaways Worker productivity rose at its fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, while workers actually lost buying power because pay raises didn’t keep up with inflation.Economists said productivity growth is the key to raising standards of living in the long run.Technology, including AI, promises to raise productivity, but it’s an open question how much workers will benefit. Labor productivity surged in the third quarter but paychecks didn’t surge along with it.That’s according to a report Thursday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which found that labor productivity rose at a blistering annualized rate of 4.9%, the…

Stock futures edged higher Friday ahead of the December U.S. jobs report and a possible Supreme Court ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with major equities indexes poised to register solid weekly gains. Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 futures pointed up 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, while those affiliated with the Dow Jones Industrial Average were near flat. Yesterday, major stock indexes finished mixed, with the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average rising but the tech-heavy Nasdaq pulled lower by data-storage shares, while the benchmark S&P 500 ended essentially flat. Still, the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 entered Friday up a respective 1.8%, 1.1%, and 0.9% for the…