Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Meta Platforms named Dina Powell McCormick, an appointee under two Republican administrations, its president and vice chairman.The role is intended to “ensure our multi-billion-dollar investments execute against our goals,” the company said. Social media giant Meta Platforms on Monday named a former Trump appointee to a high-ranking executive position. Meta (META), owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, named Dina Powell McCormick its president and vice chairman. The company said she would help guide its strategy and execution, highlighting work to “ensure our multi-billion-dollar investments execute against our goals,” build partnerships, and expand its investment capacity. Why This Matters…

There’s a new threat that could force Americans to scrap their early-retirement plans: skyrocketing health care costs. The enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that expired at the end of 2025. That means 24 million Americans will see a sharp spike in their health care costs unless Congress extends the money-saving premium tax credits.The most at-risk segment of the population relying on ACA health insurance is middle-income Americans aged 50 to 64. This group is still years away from being eligible for Medicare coverage and faces a doubling or tripling of medical care costs, according to data from KFF, an…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas on Friday and threatened a criminal indictment related to Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June about a multi-year project to renovate historic buildings.That’s according to a Sunday evening statement from Powell, whose term as Fed chair expires in May.”This unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure,” Powell said. “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what…

Key Takeaways Walmart is slated to join the Nasdaq 100, an index known for tracking tech stock, on Jan. 20, Nasdaq said.The planned move comes as Walmart executives have focused on the retailer’s e-commerce platform and novel AI tools. Walmart is getting the recognition it’s been seeking for its e-commerce prowess. The retail giant will move to the Nasdaq 100—an index tracking the 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq —before the market opens on Jan. 20, the exchange operator said Friday. Walmart (WMT) has spent months highlighting its marketplace and delivery services, fueling speculation that it was eyeing the…

Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve received subpoenas in a criminal investigation of Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday related to his testimony in June about a renovation at the Fed’s headquarters.The investigation appears to be an escalation of Trump’s efforts to force Powell out of his job at the independent central bank.Powell called the investigation a pretext and a threat to the independence of the Fed, which is not under direct control of the White House. In an unprecedented move, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell accused President Donald Trump’s administration of waging an intimidation war against the nation’s independent central…

What a way to kick-off the week with a cocktail of geopolitical drama, policy intrigue, and supply pressures that’s keeping oil prices on a tightrope. The prospect of more Venezuelan oil is giving refiners a specialty cocktail mix, but the prospects are being dismissed by some as impractical. This comes as Fox News reports that President Trump says Iran is, “starting to cross US red lines Citing reports of civilian deaths and warning that any attack on American interests would be met with overwhelming force as his administration weighs what he called “very strong options”. The prospect of increased Venezuelan…

Swiss Re has made an early redemption of the loss exposed Class A notes from its Matterhorn Re Ltd. (Series 2020-2) catastrophe bond issuance after benefiting from roughly $33.1 million in recoveries under their retrocessional protection, leaving the remaining $46.9 million of principal set to be returned to investors, Artemis understands.Recall that the global reinsurance company had been benefiting from reinsurance recoveries under the mortality retrocession arrangements associated with two of its catastrophe bonds over the last two years, as these insurance-linked securities responded when Swiss Re’s mortality loss experience would have been rising. The mortality cat bonds that Swiss…

When two industry giants like Compass and Anywhere Real Estate come together, it’s natural for independent brokerages and solo agents to feel uneasy. The word monopoly gets whispered. The fear of being squeezed out creeps in. And many professionals quietly ask the same question: “Do I still have a fighting chance?” The short answer is yes. The longer answer — and the more important one — is only if you focus on what you can control. Industry consolidation makes headlines, but real estate remains a local business built on trust, expertise and relationships. Those fundamentals haven’t changed, and they won’t…

Victrola/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways The Victrola Soundstage is a soundbase for turntables and record players.It can replace bookshelf or tabletop speakers in a vinyl setup.It sits under your turntable to save space.Modern vinyl enthusiasts often face two options: spend money and time building a hi-fi system complete with external speakers, receivers, and a multitude of wires, or opt for a compact, all-in-one system that sacrifices sound quality for convenience. Victrola’s CES 2026 announcement aims to bridge this gap for its customers, offering a high-quality solution to a wide range of listeners.A…

Key Takeaways News that Sun Country planned to merger with fellow low-cost airline Allegiant lifted the former’s shares today.Analysts approved of the move, calling it a “merger of two equally well-run low-fare airlines.” Investors see sunshine for Sun Country Airlines stock following news that it plans to merge with another ultra-low-cost carrier. Sun Country (SNCY) shares were up some 12% Monday, a day after the airline agreed to combine with fellow ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) to “create a leading leisure-focused U.S. airline.” Allegiant’s stock was down about 6%. (Read Investopedia’s live coverage of today’s trading here.) Las Vegas-based…