Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Researchers found that the quality and timing of a graduate’s first job explain most of the earnings gap between low- and high-income students five years after college. Lower-income graduates are more likely to land in lower-paying firms and earn about 12% less five years out, even after accounting for grades, major, and college. Graduates who secure a reliable job before or soon after graduation and stay at least two years earn thousands more later on. Research from Columbia University and the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals a troubling pattern: your first job after college can lock in…

(World Oil) – Continental Resources has signed an asset sale and purchase agreement with Pan American Energy to acquire non-operated interests in four blocks within Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play, further strengthening its footprint in one of the world’s most prolific unconventional basins. The assets are located in the Neuquén basin and will remain operated by Pan American Energy. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement builds on Continental’s recent expansion efforts in Argentina. In November, the company signed a separate sale and purchase agreement—subject to closing conditions—to acquire operated interests in the Los Toldos II Oeste block, signaling a broader…

The weekend brought dramatic headlines: US forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise military operation, sparking immediate safe-haven flows into gold. The yellow metal surged about 2% to approximately $4,450 per ounce as I’m writing these words. And yet, I’m looking at this rally with the same analytical lens I applied when US airstrikes hit Iran’s nuclear facilities back in June. Remember what happened then? barely moved. The ultimate chaos event failed to sustain precious metals rallies. Yes, the precious metals sector did move in the following months, but based on other reasons. The single-time military event didn’t…

Executive SummaryU.S. equity markets posted strong double-digit gains, led by tech and growth stocksPolicy easing and fiscal stimulus fueled market recovery and boosted investor confidenceCorporate buybacks surpassed $1 trillion and M&A activity was near record highsTreasury yields and the U.S. dollar fell, while gold and silver saw historic gainsWTI crude declined 20% to 5-year lows U.S. equity markets delivered a robust and broad-based performance in 2025, overcoming a volatile and challenging start to the year that tested the resilience and adaptability of the American corporate sector. The Magnificent Seven led the way with a 24.9% annual return, rebounding sharply after a steep…

Key Takeaways Tariffs will increase the tax burden on U.S. families by an average of $2,110 in 2026, a new study showed.But the tariff rebate checks proposed by President Donald Trump could blunt the impact of tariffs for all but the highest earners. The bottom 40% of earners could see their tax burden decrease by more than $2,300 in 2026 if tariff rebate checks are sent out, the study showed. Tariffs are taking a toll on U.S. families. But President Donald Trump’s proposal to send out $2,000 tariff rebate checks later this year would more than make up for the extra…

Key Takeaways Venezuela’s collapse in oil production stems from nationalizations that drove out technical expertise, sanctions that blocked investment and buyers, and having a heavy crude that’s expensive to extract.Rebuilding the industry would require a decade of work and $80 billion–$100 billion in investments, according to analysts—and that assumes political stability. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—303 billion barrels, about 17% of the global total and more than Saudi Arabia’s 267 billion. Yet Venezuela produces fewer than 1 million barrels per day, less than 1% of global output. That’s less than a third of what it pumped in…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.In the 37 years from 1979 to 2016 Britain had five prime ministers, all but one of whom served at least one full term in office. In the 10 years since, the country has seen five leaders (six if one counts the last months of David Cameron). Four of those reached office without a general election, though one later secured a clear mandate. Boris Johnson and Theresa May served barely three years, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss far less.Now there is talk…

Key Takeaways President Trump on Saturday said U.S. oil companies would “spend billions” to “fix” Venezuela’s oil infrastructure after years of decay under the weight of U.S. sanctions and government corruption.Venezuela is home to the world’s largest known oil reserves, but currently accounts for less than 1% of global production. Experts say oil companies will likely require amendments to Venezuelan laws, greater political and economic stability, and the repayment of Venezuelan debts to commit the capital required to achieve Trump’s goals. President Donald Trump says the U.S. will revive Venezuela’s ailing oil industry, but experts see towering economic and legal…

Key Takeaways A tax refund can feel like a welcome bonus, though it usually reflects money you could have received in paychecks throughout the year.Based on the average tax refund, adjusting your withholding could add about $250 a month to your budget for bills, saving, or spending.Changing your withholding isn’t permanent—you can modify it if your situation changes or you decide you want a larger refund. In a typical year, over 100 million U.S. tax filers receive a refund—and the average amount is more than $3,000. But while a big tax refund can feel like a windfall, there could be…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Investors, traders and speculators welcomed President Donald Trump’s reassertion of American authority in the western hemisphere with a rally that lifted all three main U.S. equity indexes into or near all-time high territory. The so-called “Donroe Doctrine” means the White House will “run” Venezuela’s oil and gas industry, and the energy sector reacted well to the president’s pronouncement.Financials and consumer discretionary stocks were up big, too, but relative weakness for technology-related names suggests questions about the AI revolution will linger in the new year.Chevron (CVX, +5.1%) was No. 1 among the 30 Dow Jones stocks on Monday…