Author: Money Mechanics

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks trended up again during a short Christmas Eve trading session, and the main U.S. equity indexes extended their collective winning streak to five on Wednesday. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched new all-time closing highs.Not a company is stirring on this week’s earnings calendar. Meanwhile, if anything, the economic calendar is giving more reason for our central bankers to pause on cutting interest rates after the conclusion of the next Fed meeting.The Department of Labor said this morning that initial jobless claims for the week ending December 20 declined by 10,000…

Key Takeaways Before your CD matures, you have a short window to decide what to do before your bank automatically rolls your money into a new CD. Miss that deadline and you could be locked into a new term with a low rate, limiting your options for months or even years. Comparing today’s best CDs—or moving funds to a top high-yield savings account—can help you earn more and keep flexibility. The Costly Mistake Many People Make With CDs Anytime you have a certificate of deposit (CD) nearing its maturity date, you face a deadline to decide what to do with…

You’re equally proud of your investment banker daughter and her sister, the kindergarten teacher, but it’s clear to you who needs your money more. Or maybe one of your children has hit hard times — say, a prolonged layoff or a costly divorce — while the others have flourished.Or possibly you’ve already lent a big financial hand to one of your offspring, anything from the down payment on a home to paying off debt, while the others have never asked you for a dime.Whatever the personal circumstances that have led you to this point, you’re now considering leaving different amounts…

Key Takeaways Shares of Nike rose Wednesday, helped by news of a buy from Apple CEO Tim Cook, a member of the company’s board.Cook bought at average prices near $59, well below Wall Street analysts’ consensus price target around $80. A vote of confidence from the leader of one big brand is helping the shares of another today. Shares of Nike (NKE) climbed on Wednesday’s holiday-shortened trading session—the shares were recently up about 4.5%, leading all gainers on the S&P 500—following an expression of support from Apple CEO Tim Cook. Why This Matters to Investors As a general rule, investors…

The crypto market strengthened its consolidation outlook as the year came to an end. The total value of the market has been oscillating within a 10% band for the last month. Bitcoin remains at the center of this flatness, posting only a 2% increase over the same period. Ethereum, on the other hand, continues to move within a falling channel despite a 6% increase over the last 30 days. Among high market-cap altcoins, XRP and DOGE have reached critical support levels amid low-volume trading. Both cryptocurrencies have declined by 7–8% over the past 30 days.1. Ethereum Tests Critical Zone for…

During an interview, executives at Howden Capital Markets & Advisory outlined how the catastrophe bond market has evolved into a well-established asset class that helps strengthen systemic resilience for public and private entities, while also acknowledging how private ILS continues to present attractive opportunities for cedants and investors heading into 1.1 and beyond.We spoke with Philipp Kusche, Chairman of HCMA Europe & Co-Head of Global ILS, and Mitchell Rosenberg, Co-Head of Global ILS, Howden Capital Markets & Advisory (HCMA), ahead of the January renewals, who shared their outlook on both the catastrophe bond market and private insurance-linked securities (ILS) for…

Key Takeaways In a recent survey of over 1,000 investors, about 86% of high-risk retirees failed to meet a basic asset diversification benchmark.Financial experts caution against overly relying on cash and bonds to avoid market risk and instead recommend balancing cash, bonds, stocks, and other investments for long-term growth.Dynamic withdrawal strategies and adjusting asset allocation are key to managing market risk in retirement. As retirement nears, many investors shift their focus to minimizing risk, often by pulling away from stocks in favor of safer assets like bonds and cash. However, a new study reveals that this strategy may leave retirees…

Key Takeaways UiPath is set to join the S&P MidCap 400 index on Friday, replacing Synovus Financial.S&P Dow Jones Indices also announced changes to the index slated for early January. Shares of UiPath rose Wednesday on news that the business software company will join the S&P MidCap 400 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices said UiPath (PATH) would become part of the index prior to the opening of trading on Friday. It will replace Synovus Financial (SYN), which is being acquired by Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) in a deal expected to close soon. Why This Matters to Investors A stock’s inclusion…

Key Takeaways Foodie destinations like Italy can be great retirement destinations, but only if affordability and other factors align.Great food is just one among many important considerations when selecting a place to retire. For retirees looking for a fulfilling, foodie-forward approach to their later years, there may be a unique appeal to countries celebrated for having some of the best cuisine in the world. However, retiring abroad also means balancing a host of factors: affordability, lifestyle, community, and accessibility, among others. Below, we consider how to strike a balance between the deliciousness of a location’s foods and other retirement needs.…

Key Takeaways Planning where you’ll live and whether to downsize your home is one of the biggest factors in planning for retirement. You can clear out the clutter and make extra cash by selling possessions you’ll no longer need like your work wardrobe, extra electronics, kids’ toys, and even your second car. Working with a financial planner can help you envision and plan for your retirement, including what you will and won’t need. Many people downsize their living situation to simplify their lives when they retire. But your home isn’t the only thing you can downsize, and it isn’t even…