Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways In the last two weeks, stocks have rebounded from their November sell-off, buoyed by increased optimism that the Fed will cut interest rates next week.Tech stocks, weighed down by concerns about an AI bubble, underperformed the broader market last month in a potential sign of “a change of leadership heading into 2026,” according to Bank of America. The stock market may not be roaring into the most wonderful time of the year, but it is chugging along. Its next big test, however, is right around the corner. Investors’ attention has for days largely been fixed on Wednesday’s rate decision…

Key Takeaways Strong quarterly results boosted a beauty retailer on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, while a massive buyout sent ripples across the streaming industry.Netflix said it agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business, sending Warner Bros. Discovery stock higher, while Netflix slid and rival suitor Paramount Skydance tumbled.Ulta Beauty shares surged as a recent acquisition, new store openings, and resilient cosmetics demand helped drive better-than-expected earnings. A strong quarterly report helped drive big gains for a retailer of make-up and other beauty products, while the end of a high-profile bidding war made waves in media and entertainment.…

You might add years of healthy life with these strategies.gettyIf you’re like most people in their 60s and 70s, you’re managing a few health conditions—some merely inconvenient, others that might be more serious and take more of your time to manage. These conditions are a reminder that you aren’t 50 anymore and need to dedicate some time to managing and maintaining your health. Think of your body as a vintage car that needs more care compared to when it was newer, but still looks good and gets you where you want to go.ForbesWhat’s Your Plan For Health And Longevity In…

Key Takeaways Many savers aren’t sure how their APY compares, and looking at what other savers earn can help show how your own rate measures up. The three biggest banks pay just 0.01% on savings, and even the national average sits at only 0.40%, meaning many savers are earning next to nothing on their money. Other well-known banks offer meaningfully better APYs than the biggest players, with many paying between about 3.25% and 3.65%. Savers willing to look beyond the biggest names can earn far more, as today’s highest-yield accounts offer 4.15% to 5.00% APY. If you’re wondering how your…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The crypto trends we’re watching in 2026 include one major story and three minor themes that support it. A little more than 17 years after Satoshi Nakamoto famous introduced bitcoin (BTC) to the world, cryptocurrency is still a fast-growing market. It’s maturing at a rapid pace too.The big forces shaping bitcoin and the broader market Satoshi’s famous white paper (pdf) created include regulatory clarity and scalability; adoption and use; and integration and convergence. And, apart from the potential for big gains, real players in the industry are laying a foundation for less friction in financial transactions.”Less friction”…

Key Takeaways One-in-four Americans said in recent survey that loss of insurance, risks of rising costs, or damages due to natural disasters were among the top risks for their retirement incomes.More than half (56%) have anxiety about how extreme weather could affect their finances or health, but only 10% of those have discussed the concerns with a financial professional, according to the survey from Allianz Life.Only slightly more than third (36%) of the respondents who have faced extreme weather events have taken into consideration the implications of extreme weather in their retirement planning. One-in-four Americans ranked risks of rising costs,…

(Image credit: Getty Images)Stocks notched modest gains Friday after the latest inflation data did little to sway market expectations for a rate cut at next week’s Fed meeting. The main indexes managed to carve out weekly gains, too, kicking off a historically strong month on a positive note.At the close, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.2% at 47,954, the broader S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 6,870, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.3% to 23,578.Ahead of the open, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said that the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index – the Fed’s preferred measure of…

Key Takeaways Consumer sentiment improved in December, but remained close to historic lows as consumers continued to express concerns over high prices.Despite concerns over prices, consumer inflation expectations declined for the fourth consecutive month, although the closely watched indicator remained elevated above pre-pandemic levels. Consumers continue to feel the weight of high prices, but they are increasingly expecting relief from inflation in the future, a closely watched survey showed. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index improved in the December preliminary reading to 53.3, a marginal increase from November’s reading of 51.0, the second-lowest ever in the history of the survey. It…

Personal income increased $94.5 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in September, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $75.9 billion (0.3 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $65.1 billion (0.3 percent).Personal outlays—the sum of PCE, personal interest payments, and personal current transfer payments—increased $70.7 billion in September. Personal saving was $1.09 trillion in September and the personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 4.7 percent.The increase in current-dollar personal income in September primarily reflected increases in compensation and personal…

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), also known as healthcare flexible spending arrangements (HCFSAs), let you save for eligible medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. You generally can’t have both types of accounts, so read on to learn the details of each to decide which, if either, is best for you. Both HSAs and healthcare FSAs cover qualified medical expenses that generally include the costs to treat, manage, or prevent a physical or mental condition not covered by your health insurance. Common costs include deductibles, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, weight loss programs, and more. For…