Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Having extra savings in retirement is a good goal to have.Start by saving and investing early, investing aggressively, and maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Automating your investments is a good strategy to use. It’s a good problem to have: having too much money saved for retirement and having additional money to leave to your heirs. Here’s a look at the types of people who are saving a lot in their lifetimes and how you can be one of them. Who Saves the Most? A National Bureau of Economic Research study reveals what types of people work and save the…

Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR) is one of the most promising mid-cap consumer staples stocks under $100. On January 5, RBC Capital Markets analyst Rishi Jaluria reiterated his optimism on Coursera Inc. (NYSE:COUR), maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. He lowered his price target from $13 to $11, which still results in an upside of almost 51%. Cantor Lowers Nerdy Price Target to $1.00, Maintains Neutral Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com Jaluria expects 2026 to be driven by AI-related catalysts, which will help businesses that have positioned themselves to capitalize on such developments. He emphasized on certain peers, who have not prepared themselves for such…

Venezuelan supply has become politically elastic. Volumes now respond to US electoral and foreign-policy dynamics rather than market fundamentals. For global energy markets, this marks a structural change with lasting consequences. Donald Trump is the sitting US president, having taken office in January 2025. Venezuelan oil policy now sits squarely within his administration. Control does not come through ownership of fields. It comes through authority over access. Recent events underline the shift. The first US-authorised sale of Venezuelan crude went to a company whose senior oil trader donated heavily to Trump’s re-election effort and attended a White House meeting with…

With mortgage rates expected to remain flat for the foreseeable future, lenders of all sizes are looking for creative ways to attract creditworthy borrowers who may not fit into the conventional loan box. Below are four trends that will enable lenders to expand their reach to new borrowers in 2026: Non-QM lending goes mainstream A big story in 2025 was the growth of non-QM loans, but many of the companies offering these products have been small- and medium-sized lenders. Now, some of the largest players in the industry are ready to play a bigger role in serving borrowers who may…

Key Takeaways Most households should aim to replace 70% to 85% of their pre-retirement pay, combining savings withdrawals with Social Security. Adjusting the mix of contributions, your claiming age, and products such as annuities lets you hit a personalized replacement target. Reaching $1 million in your 401(k) is a big milestone, but a seven‑figure balance can be a mirage. The question is whether all of your retirement resources—401(k), individual retirement account (IRA), brokerage account, cash, and Social Security—can be counted on to reliably replace enough of your paycheck to keep your lifestyle intact for decades.That percentage is called your income…

Ready for a break? You’re getting one: The 2026 trading holiday schedule starts in earnest next week. Stock and bond markets will close for the first time since New Year’s Day on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which commemorates the birth of the civil rights rights leader. The holiday itself is observed on the third Monday of January, though King’s birthday was on Jan. 15. Regular trading resumes on Tuesday. Here’s the 2026 holiday trading schedule through the start of the summer: Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents’ Day/George Washington’s birthday observed): Stock and bond markets…

Last year was a busy year for the markets. It included macro events like tariffs, artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing dominance of U.S. tech companies attracting ever more global retail investors. That, in turn, led to ongoing growth of off-exchange trading and plans for 24-hour trading — both of which make a better National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO) even more important.Today we look at my 10 favorite charts from 2025.1. Stock markets are good for the economyYou might think it is obvious that stock markets are good for the public. Accounting statements make it easier for more investors to efficiently value companies and allocate capital, and that capital allows companies to expand, build new factories or products, and hire more workers.…

Key Takeaways Most Americans retire earlier than expected, with health issues and job loss being the main drivers of unplanned early exits.Experts recommend that people in their 40s and 50s plan by looking at best and worst case retirement scenarios and consider whether they can continue to work in their current jobs. You’re fast approaching retirement, but don’t have enough money to comfortably retire just yet. Instead of stashing more money in your 401(k), what if you just worked longer, delaying retirement until you saved enough? While this may seem like a good idea in theory, in practice it might…

ZDNET’s key takeaways 0patch costs about $30 per year for its Pro plan, and includes a free tier that provides zero-day patches. It’s easy to install and runs quietly in the background, automatically applying updates the moment they come in. Some users have reported performance issues after installing patches. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.In early 2023, Microsoft announced that it would end all official support for Windows 10 in 2025, giving users just over two years to migrate to Windows 11. As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ceased regular updates and security patches for Windows 10,…

(World Oil) – Coterra Energy Inc. is exploring a combination with Devon Energy Corp., according to people familiar with the matter, a potential tie-up between two shale explorers that would be among the biggest oil and gas deals in years. The companies — both with large positions in the oil-rich Permian Basin — are holding talks about a possible merger, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the matter is private. One option being discussed is an all-stock transaction, they said. Coterra has a market capitalization of about $21 billion, while Devon is valued at about $23 billion. The companies…