Author: Money Mechanics

Gold soared in 2025 achieving one of its most-phenomenal years ever, smashing countless records. Such epic performance naturally earned universal adoration, and fueled intense herd greed. That combined with extremely-stretched technicals leaves gold vulnerable to some kind of reckoning early in this new year. That should prove a big-and-fast drawdown, though gold could get lucky and consolidate high again. With last year finally in the books, gold clocked in with an astounding 64.3% gain! Gold achieved 53 new all-time-record closes in 2025, or on fully 21% of all its trading days. Those included besting the huge psychological milestones of $3k…

(Image credit: Getty Images)All three main U.S. equity indexes opened 2026 in the green, but stocks struggled for direction through most of the first trading day of the new year. Price action was mixed within key sectors and subgroups, such as technology and the Magnificent 7, at what is also the beginning of a new era for financial markets.It was another low-volume session as investors, traders and speculators remain in holiday mode until next week. Energy stocks led the way higher on Friday, while industrials, materials and utility stocks also posted sector gains of greater than 1%.Tech stocks rallied late…

Key Takeaways Berkshire shares have significantly lagged the S&P 500 since Buffett’s retirement announcement—what analysts call a “succession discount.”With one of Berkshire’s two stock-pickers departing for JPMorgan, investors worry about who’s looking after the company’s $300 billion equity portfolio. Warren Buffett wants investors to relax. In an interview out Friday, the 95-year-old assured shareholders that his departure from the role of CEO at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) changes nothing. “Everything will be the same,” he told CNBC. The market doesn’t seem to agree. From the time Buffett announced his retirement in early May, Berkshire Hathaway shares fell about 7% through…

I hope everyone had an enjoyable, restful holiday season. I sure did. Later today, I’ll sit down and watch Indiana face off against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. My niece went to IU, so I’ll most definitely be cheering for the Hoosiers’ dream season to continue. As we move into 2026, part of my focus will be on the options market in general and unusual options activity, more specifically. This past year was full of ups and downs for investors, but it’s hard to complain about the fourth consecutive year of gains for the S&P 500. Valuations continue to be…

Punkt/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Punkt MC03 is a privacy-first handset that runs a verified list of secure apps.It’s powered by AphyOS, a subscription-based operating system.Punkt is launching the phone in the US this Spring for $699.Sharing data with Google and Apple offers convenience, but often at the cost of privacy and security. Third-party apps and online services can further increase your risk. To address these concerns, Punkt has launched the MC03, a smartphone built specifically to keep your data private and secure.Powered by AphyOS, the MC03 is a mid-range device paired with a subscription-based…

(Oil Price)– The latest flare-up between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen looks dramatic on the surface, but OPEC cohesion, not missiles or militias, is what ultimately matters to the oil markets, which is why the latest public spat between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen created just a temporary blip in crude prices. Saudi forces intercepted this week what they said was an unauthorized UAE-linked shipment of weapons and military equipment destined for southern Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition dished out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla after Riyadh framed it as a…

Key Takeaways Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Jan. 1, ending 60 years atop the $1.1 trillion conglomerate.The final tally: Berkshire stock gained 134 times more than the broader market. If investors in the S&P 500 climbed a hill, investors in Berkshire scaled Everest. Now that Warren Buffett is out as CEO at Berkshire Hathaway, it’s time to tally the remarkable run he presided over. Wall Street investors tracked his every trade. Everyday Americans made him a hero for talking about business the way your friend might—while making billions doing it. And now, after a transition years in the…

Key Takeaways Tesla posted its second consecutive year of declining sales in 2025, allowing rival BYD to pull ahead in global EV sales.Enthusiasm around AI, robotics and the company’s robotaxi service has driven Tesla’s stock recovery, with some analysts calling 2026 a potential turning point. A disappointing year of electric vehicle sales is finally in the rear-view mirror for Tesla (TSLA). The company reported 418,227 deliveries in the fourth quarter, down 16% year-over-year and below the 422,850 consensus estimate of 20 analysts it had reported Monday in advance of the release. Tesla delivered 1,636,129 vehicles in 2025, 9% below the…

Most Americans — nearly three in four — have a rewards credit card, according to a 2024 poll from market research company Ipsos. But ensuring that you maximize your cash back, points and miles, and other benefits can be a challenge, especially if multiple cards are in your wallet.Try one of these apps to stay on top of your cards’ rewards and perks.The best apps for tracking credit card rewards (Image credit: Getty Images)AwardWallet lets you track more than 600 credit card, airline and hotel programs. The app shows you how much you earn in rewards with each transaction and…

The US stock market is all set to start the new year on a positive note. Investor confidence has improved after the reached new record highs during the Christmas period, trading clearly above 6,900 points. Although those highs did not hold for long and the market has entered a short correction, the broader trend remains positive. Buyers continue to target the 7,000 point level, which could become the next record high if upward momentum holds. This remains the base scenario. As investors look to build portfolios at the start of the year, attention is shifting toward companies that are already…