Author: Money Mechanics

Yesterday’s on private-sector job creation disappointed significantly, showing a loss of 32,000 jobs versus the consensus forecast of a 5,000 gain. Despite the negative news for the economy, stock markets still closed higher. The weakness in the US job market has strengthened expectations that the will cut rates at its meeting next Wednesday, which is supportive for equities. Furthermore, signals suggest the Fed is likely to continue easing into 2026, with at least one additional rate cut expected before mid-year. Some sectors are likely to benefit more than others from the Fed’s rate cuts. Real estate is frequently cited as…

“There are many factors that have led to our current environment where housing supply has failed to keep up with demand,” he said. “While some of those factors are beyond the remit of Congress, there is a universe of federal barriers to housing supply that we are working on addressing in this committee.” BABA requirements Enacted within the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, BABA mandates the use of U.S.-produced iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials in federally funded infrastructure projects. Flood argued that while this may be appropriate for infrastructure work, applying the same rules to housing projects…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked Waymo for more information about its self-driving system and operations following reports from the Austin School District that its robotaxis illegally passed school buses 19 times this year. In a December 3 letter sent to Waymo, regulators requested detailed information about its fifth-generation self-driving system and operations. Reuters was the first to report on the letter, which comes two months since the agency opened an investigation into Waymo over how its robotaxis perform around stopped school buses. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened its initial investigation into the Alphabet-owned company…

Many people think Warren Buffett has some magical ability to pick stocks. The truth is that while he’s earned his legendary stock-picking status, his method is surprisingly straightforward—and you can learn it too. The Oracle of Omaha, worth over $150 billion, follows a systematic approach that prioritizes learning about businesses before you buy their stock over chasing the hottest stocks. “Charlie and I are not stock-pickers; we are business-pickers,” Buffett wrote in his 2022 letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) shareholders, referring to Charlie Munger, his long-time business partner. This fundamental shift in thinking—from stocks to businesses—is what has…

Key Takeaways A discount retailer got a boost on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, as bargain-seeking shoppers bolstered its quarterly results, while a semiconductor stock retreated from its recent highs.Dollar General stock surged after the retailer topped quarterly sales and profit forecasts.Shares of Intel pulled back following reports the company would retain its networking and communications unit. Shares of a dollar-store chain took off after its latest quarterly report revealed its offerings are attracting cost-conscious consumers across income groups. Meanwhile, an American chipmaker came under pressure after reports that it’s not looking to sell its networking business. Major U.S. equities indexes…

Key Takeaways Sales of spirits that cost $100 or more have plunged, and consumers are shifting from “super premium” to “premium” tequila, liquor-company executives said.The business leaders said people “trading down” shows that Americans still want to buy and drink alcohol. Fewer booze buyers are reaching for the top shelf. Americans aren’t thirsting for for the high-end tequila that once flowed freely, spirits companies said, as demand for $100 spirits has dropped off. Consumers appear to be trading down—or selecting less expensive versions of their preferred beverage—said Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman (BF.A, BF.B), on Thursday, as sales of more…

Key Takeaways The Trump administration is eyeing Australia’s superannuation model as a potential method for the U.S.Unlike the U.S., where many workers lack access to or don’t participate in retirement plans, Australia mandates a 12% employer contribution, creating a far more robust retirement savings system. The Trump administration is looking to Australia’s retirement system for inspiration. At a recent press conference, President Donald Trump indicated that his administration is examining Australia’s retirement system. “It [the Australian retirement savings plan] is a good plan and it’s worked out very well,” Trump remarked on Tuesday. The Australian retirement system differs markedly from…

Key Takeaways With inflation at 3.0%, your savings is losing buying power if it’s earning less than that rate, even if your balance looks like it’s growing. You can boost your return quickly with a top high-yield savings account paying 4%–5%—enabling your money to grow instead of falling behind. With a Fed cut expected soon, locking in a top CD rate is also smart, protecting part of your savings against inflation for months or even years. Is Your Savings Keeping Up—Or Quietly Losing Value? With inflation now at 3.0%—based on the latest CPI report released Oct. 24—it’s the number your savings…

Key Takeaways BlackRock CEO Larry Fink this week defended big AI spending, saying “other countries are going to beat” the U.S. otherwise. He also linked the technological change underway to the U.S. economy, questioning whether this year’s lack of job growth should be attributed to uncertain policy or labor substitution. There are worries about AI spending. Sometimes, that means worries that companies developing artificial intelligence capabilities aren’t spending enough. Larry Fink, chief of BlackRock (BLK), the world’s largest asset manager, yesterday defended spending on artificial intelligence during a wide-ranging interview at the New York Times DealBook Summit. “If we don’t…

(Image credit: Getty Images)It was a choppy session for stocks Thursday as market participants weighed the latest jobs data against expectations for a rate cut at next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. Still, small caps rallied hard on hopes for lower interest rates, while speculation over a Mag 7 stock’s massive spending cuts kept the Nasdaq Composite above water.Ahead of the open, data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that U.S.-based employers announced 71,321 job cuts in November – up 24% year over year. While this marked a 53% drop from the number of layoffs announced in October, it’s still the…