Author: Money Mechanics

President Donald Trump on Friday said he’d prefer to keep National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett in his position as top economic advisor, a statement that could change the dynamic in the race to see who will replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair.During an appearance in the White House, Trump said, “I see Kevin’s in the audience, and I just want to thank you. You ⁠were fantastic on television today.””I actually want to keep you where you are, if you want to know the truth,” he added.Hassett has been considered a leading contender to take the central bank reins,…

(Investing) – Oil prices could see further upside in 2026 as geopolitical risks continue to drive volatility, HSBC says, though the bank adds that underlying market fundamentals should limit rallies and keep prices anchored in the mid-$60s range. As such, HSBC maintained its  forecast at $65 a barrel for 2026 and beyond, despite heightened tensions across several major producing regions. The bank sees the oil market caught between persistent geopolitical shocks and a sizeable supply surplus. Analysts led by Kim Fustier estimate a global supply and demand imbalance of around 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2026, the largest since the…

Key Takeaways Compared to other generations, baby boomers are the least prepared for retirement.Only 40% of boomers are on track to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement.This lack of retirement readiness is due to limited early access to retirement plans, like 401(k)s and less time to recover from under-saving.  When you think of retirement readiness, you might assume older generations are in the lead. However, less than half (42%) of Americans are on track for retirement, according to Vanguard research. Of all the generations, baby boomers are among the least prepared, facing significant savings shortfalls and a limited time to…

Key Takeaways Verizon is offering a credit to customers who were affected by its widespread outage earlier this week.Customers can claim a $20 account credit, though the company didn’t say whether there is a deadline for claiming it. Verizon wireless customers can receive a $20 credit on an upcoming monthly bill, as long as they remember to claim it. Verizon Communications (VZ) said Thursday morning that customers who were affected by Wednesday’s outage can redeem a $20 account credit through their Verizon account. The company said that $20 on average would cover the cost of several days of a cell…

Key Takeaways The Senate Banking Committee postponed its scheduled markup of a key crypt bill this week after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong pulled support for its draft text.Shares of crypto companies such as Coinbase, Circle and Bullish declined following the news, with crypto prices giving back gains seen earlier in the week. Crypto wants its way—even if it means near-term pain. Fresh disagreements over how crypto should be regulated have undercut early 2026 “we are so back” vibes. While there was a rally in market prices earlier this week, that more recently has stumbled as the Clarity Act, legislation that…

Key Takeaways It’s become common for nonprofit groups to request recurring donations, but the model can catch consumers off guard.Consumer advocates have ideas about how to prevent, spot, and handle these sorts of periodic donations. Money experts have long warned that forgotten subscriptions can drain your accounts. Recurring donations are something worth watching for, too. Setting up regular philanthropic donations has become a common fundraising technique in the nonprofit world. Consultants publish guides on the practice, and the Federal Trade Commission urges people making donations to check that they haven’t inadvertently signed up to make a recurring gift. Consumers have…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks struggled for most of Friday’s session and closed lower. They were down on a weekly basis, but the long-term trend remains up for all three main U.S. equity indexes as participation continues to broaden beyond the Magnificent 7. And incoming economic data remains solid.By the closing bell, the broad-based S&P 500 was off 0.06% at 6,940, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite had slipped 0.06% to 23,515, and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.2% at 49,349.The Russell 2000 Index was up again, though, and it’s a good sign for the bull market that small-cap stocks…

Key Takeaways Life expectancy in the U.S. will increase by six years by 2060 to age 85.6, according to a report from Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.Key factors for a happy retirement include volunteering, socializing, and continuing to work at least a little.It’s important to plan ahead for a fulfilling, potentially long retirement and the means to pay for it. Retirement isn’t what it used to be. Life expectancy will increase by six years in 2060 to age 85.6, according to a 2025 survey conducted by the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. You may have to adjust your…

Key Takeaways Studies show that more homebuyers, and especially those in Gen Z, are considering buying homes with friends to afford the high costs of housing.Real estate professionals said that co-buying offers a pathway to home ownership, with different kinds of co-ownership structures available to buyers.A written agreement is key to laying out how decisions are made, how costs are shared, and how parties can leave the agreement if circumstances change. Housing has gotten so expensive that Gen Z homebuyers, and in some cases their parents, are joining forces to meet the skyrocketing costs. Co-buying, where two or more people…

In Wednesday’s trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.1%. The index’s decline was the smallest on a day when the S&P 500 fell 0.50% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1%, its worst day since mid-December. Traders are concerned about ongoing geopolitical tensions, whether in Iran, Greenland, Venezuela, or right here in the U.S. Further, investors were expecting the Supreme Court might make its ruling on tariffs yesterday. That didn’t happen, putting investors on edge. Today’s another day. Hopefully, it will be a good one. As for yesterday’s unusual options activity, there were 1,245 calls and puts with Vol/OI…