Author: Money Mechanics

As December draws to a close, investors once again look to the markets for signs of the Santa Claus Rally. This seasonal pattern refers to the final five trading days of the year and the first two sessions of the New Year, a period that has historically delivered strong returns. The Stock Trader’s Almanac first brought widespread attention to this trend. Data tracked since 1950 shows that these seven trading days consistently produce above-average gains. Over this stretch, the has recorded an average rise of about 1.3% and finished higher nearly 80% of the time. The contrast becomes clearer when…

People shop at a grocery store in Brooklyn on Dec. 12, 2025 in New York City.Spencer Platt | Getty ImagesWall Street is awaiting Thursday’s release of the November consumer price index report, as it will mark the first reading for the period since the record-setting U.S. government shutdown ended last month.According to economists surveyed by Dow Jones, the report – which tracks the average change in prices people pay for a range of goods and services – is expected to show a 12-month inflation rate of 3.1%. When excluding food and energy, core CPI is forecast to post an annual…

diyun Zhu/Moment/Getty ImagesFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysThe internet is bigger and more fragile than ever, thanks to larger attacks. Much of that growth is driven by bots and AI crawlers.Increasingly, we use smartphones and satellites to access the web.According to Cloudflare, the internet’s second-largest content delivery network (CDN), global internet traffic grew nearly 20% in 2025. You and I watching more YouTube videos is not what’s driving that growth. Much of this rise comes from bots, AI crawlers, and automated attacks rather than human users. At the same time, satellite connectivity, post-quantum encryption, and…

Key Takeaways If your household income was between $55,262 and $167,460 in 2024, you are generally considered part of the middle class.Being middle class isn’t just about your income, though. It’s also about your household size, your location, and your overall financial situation.The same salary might feel different from place to place due to the cost of living around the country.Strengthening your finances through budgeting, saving, and debt management is essential to feeling financially secure, no matter your income. According to the Pew Research Center, middle class, three-person households earn between two-thirds and double the national median income, which was…

(Oil Price)– The newly proposed Western Gateway Pipeline, planned to ship fuels from Midwest refineries all the way to California, is gathering growing support from federal, state, and industry circles, according to one of the project’s proponents, refining giant Phillips 66. Phillips 66 and pipeline giant Kinder Morgan unveiled in October plans for the Western Gateway Pipeline, which could become the world’s largest pipeline for transporting refined petroleum products. The project would combine new-build pipeline from Borger, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, with a reversal of Kinder Morgan’s existing Santa Fe Pacific Products (SFPP) West Line (which currently flows from Colton, California…

Key Takeaways Warner Bros. said Paramount’s tender offer comes with “an untenable degree of risk” and was “inferior” to the proposed Netflix merger. Paramount maintained that its deal was “superior.” The response from Warner to Paramount’s offer last week was to be expected, and likely means shareholders of all three companies will be in for a ride. The biggest entertainment deal in history promises more drama. The latest: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) on Wednesday published a letter criticizing Paramount Skydance’s (PSKY) offer to acquire the company, saying its all-cash bid—which followed an agreement by Warner Bros. to merge with Netflix…

Key Takeaways Tesla stock closed at a fresh record high on Tuesday, completing a monthslong rebound from severe losses earlier in the year.Investors have looked past slumping electric vehicle sales to focus on the rollout of Tesla’s robotaxi service and its broader mission to pioneer physical AI. Elon Musk says the future is autonomous. Investors appear to be on board. Tesla (TSLA) stock rose 3% on Tuesday to close at $489.88, its first record high of the year. Shares got a boost this week after Musk said Tesla had begun testing unoccupied self-driving cars in Austin, Texas, a major step…

Key Takeaways In 2023, average spending for those ages 65 and older was $60,087 per year, or slightly more than $5,000 per month. The largest spending categories were housing, clocking in at $1,787 per month, transportation ($752.75), healthcare ($668.92), and food ($642.84). Spending also included an average of $241.50 per month on entertainment, such as shows, sporting events, club memberships, camping, and pets. Comparison is often called the thief of joy, but when it comes to retirement, it can be a valuable tool, helping you understand how much you might need to save and spend in retirement to maintain your…

Key Takeaways Ray and Barbara Dalio will fund a $250 benefit in Trump Accounts for certain children in Connecticut.The donation is part of a broader initiative to have more philanthropists donate to the Trump Accounts, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Ray Dalio—the billionaire founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates—and his wife, Barbara, announced Wednesday that they will be providing $250 in the Trump Accounts for select children in Connecticut. “These Trump Accounts are great not just because they put money into stocks for these young people but also because they draw their attention toward how finance, stocks, companies, and…

Key Takeaways For some households, buying a new car may be slightly more affordable in late 2026 when borrowing costs come down and a new tax benefit kicks in.The changes aren’t expected to move the needle much for low-income households, according to Oxford Economics. It could be a shrewd financial move to replace your car—next year. Buying a new vehicle may be a bit more affordable by late 2026, Oxford Economics said Wednesday. Car companies may ease up on price increases by then, the economic consulting firm said, while lower borrowing costs and a tax benefit may also benefit buyers.…