Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Delta’s 2026 profit outlook came in below Wall Street expectations, sending shares lower Tuesday.The airline continues to rely heavily on credit card partnerships for profit while passenger flying loses money for the company. Delta Air Lines (DAL) isn’t living up to its “Keep Climbing” motto—in the eyes of investors, at least. The company’s profit forecasts came in below expectations, sending shares down 2% in early trading Tuesday. The JETS ETF, which includes airline shares, was recently retreating; shares of some other major airlines also slipped, with American (AAL) off about 1% and Southwest (LUV) edging lower. Read Investopedia’s…

Key Takeaways L3Harris shares climbed to a record high Tuesday after the company announced an investment in its missile solutions segment from the federal government.With that investment, L3Harris announced plans to spin off the division to its own public company in the second half of this year. L3Harris (LHX) shares are rising to fresh highs Tuesday, thanks to a show of support from the U.S. government. The shares were up about 3% at $350 Tuesday morning, leaving the shares on track to top Monday’s record close after the defense contractor said it plans to spin off one of its divisions…

Key Takeaways Getting laid off right before retirement can feel overwhelming, but you can still achieve a financially secure retirement. If you get laid off unexpectedly, take a breath, review your finances, and avoid rushed decisions. Avoid dipping into your 401(k) or claiming Social Security early, as those moves can cost you more in the long run. Reassess your retirement timeline and consider part-time or consulting work. If you’ve just been laid off and retirement is around the corner, it may be stressful, especially if you were looking to save more before leaving the workforce. While you may feel powerless…

Key Takeaways President Trump called for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates, effective Jan. 20, the anniversary of his inauguration.Points and miles expert Tiffany Funk says the rate cap could mean fewer points and higher fees for cards. The president’s proposal to cap credit-card interest rates could mean upheaval for rewards aficionados, an expert told Investopedia. President Donald Trump’s idea—to cap rates at 10%—might mean relief for some card users but also substantially limit access to credit for many Americans with lower credit scores. (Trump on Friday wrote on Truth Social that “Effective January 20, 2026, I, as…

Key Takeaways Allentown has a median home value of around $303,000, and everyday costs below the national average, and Pennsylvania won’t tax your Social Security, pension, or most retirement distributions.Allentown has become Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing city, with a revitalized core that puts restaurants, free museum admission, concerts, and parks within easy reach.Two hospital systems and hundreds of medical facilities across Lehigh County give retirees the specialist access and routine care they need without traveling to Philadelphia or New York. Allentown may not top lists of classic retirement destinations, but for retirees seeking affordability, four-season living, and access to quality healthcare and…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Fundamentals, for the most part, drove price action on Tuesday as markets seemed to reject modern politics as a foundation for monetary policy. All three main U.S. equity indexes opened slightly higher, but none of them were up at the end of a trading session that was positive for other reasons.The economic calendar brought some comfort this morning: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said before the opening bell that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 0.3% compared to November, while core CPI increased by 0.2%. Year-over-year CPI was 2.7%.According to the Schwab Center for Financial…

Key Takeaways Money is a common source of tension in relationships, with Fidelity’s 2024 Couples & Money study revealing that finances are a top relationship challenge for around 25% of couples.Financial compatibility begins with understanding each partner’s money scripts–the beliefs about what money is and how it should be managed, shaped by one’s upbringing.Open, structured conversations about both the logistical and emotional sides of money can help couples align their values and avoid financial misunderstandings.Financial advisors can play an important role in helping couples engage in open, values-based conversations that align their goals, reduce conflict, and foster a more joyful…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump says that tariff “dividend” checks may go out “towards the end of the year,” potentially extending the timeline for the rebates.In November, Trump had mentioned a potential timeline for the middle of the year.Trump has also raised questions about whether he needed congressional approval for the checks, saying that revenue was coming in “from other sources.” Tariff rebate checks for Americans worth $2,000 each are still on the agenda, according to President Donald Trump, but they may be coming months later than previously thought. Trump also believes he may not need an OK from Congress…

ClearBridge Investments, an investment management company, released its “ClearBridge Growth Strategy” fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. US equities reported a strong but volatile performance in the fourth quarter, with the S&P 500 Index returning 2.7% while the benchmark Russell Midcap Growth Index declined 3.7%. In this environment, a balanced, highly active share approach resulted in Strategy’s third consecutive quarter of outperformance, capturing early momentum while providing downside protection during rising volatility towards the end of the period. The strategy maintained its long-term investment philosophy of disciplined portfolio management and opportunistic capital allocation. In…

U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON DC 20585 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 13, 2026 The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) published its first energy-sector forecasts through 2027 in the January Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). EIA expects U.S. electricity use to grow by 1% this year and 3% in 2027. This increase would mark the first time since 2007 that power demand has risen for four years in a row and the strongest four-year growth period since 2000. The driving factor behind this surge is increasing demand from large computing centers. “U.S. energy production remains strong, and natural gas…