Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways If you plan to stash your RMD funds in savings, withdrawing now—instead of by Dec. 31—may let you lock in a high yield before it’s gone. Moving your RMD money to one of today’s top CDs lets you guarantee a safe 4%-plus return for months or years down the road. But don’t delay, as the Fed is widely expected to cut interest rates next week, which will push savings and CD returns lower. You Have Until Dec. 31 To Take Your 2025 RMD—But Waiting Could Cost You If you’re subject to a required minimum distribution (RMD) this year,…

Key Takeaways Salesforce posted a quarterly profit that topped analysts’ estimates, citing momentum from its AI offerings.The customer relationship management software leader also boosted its outlook. Could a bit of fresh momentum from Salesforce’s AI offerings be just what the company needed to kick-start a recovery in its stock? Shares of Salesforce (CRM) were recently up 3% in extended trading Wednesday, after the software giant posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its outlook on the back of growth from its data products and AI offerings. The customer relationship management software leader reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.25 for…

November 2025 delivered mixed returns to equity investors with nearly two weeks of sideways action preceding a brisk period of risk-off activity, led by a decline in large-cap market leaders. As a result, broad market averages were down nearly 4% over several days, before a rebound late in the month left most indices near all-time highs. For the month, the S&P 500 Index was up just over nine points, or 0.13%, while the Russell 2000 Index finished up nearly 15 points, or 0.85%. Selling pressure on high-flying large-cap stocks led to outperformance in the Cboe S&P 500 Equal Weight Index…

Key Takeaways AI is rapidly automating roles in customer service, data entry, programming, content creation, and analysis-heavy jobs across finance, law, and medicine.The most at-risk jobs are those with repetitive, rules-based, or entry-level tasks. Human-centric skills like judgment, empathy, and creativity remain in demand. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace faster than most people realize. What started with automating back-office tasks and customer service roles has now expanded into programming, legal research, financial analysis, and even creative fields such as writing and design. Experts predict that by 2030, up to 30% of U.S. jobs could…

Key Takeaways A chipmaker got a boost from strong guidance on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, while the ongoing saga around the takeover of a rival weighed on a pair of entertainment giants.Microchip Technology raised its quarterly sales and profit forecasts, and shares of the semiconductor company soared.Shares of Paramount Skydance and Netflix dropped as Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly neared a decision on their respective buyout offers. A semiconductor maker increased its quarterly forecast, with strong bookings suggesting a recovery in several key end markets, and its shares led the S&P 500 higher. Meanwhile, two major media players came under pressure…

On November 25, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced significant price reductions for 15 high-cost prescription drugs used by millions of Medicare beneficiaries. That’s a major win for older Americans.The negotiated “maximum fair prices,” made possible by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, promise to save the program $12 billion annually compared with last year’s Medicare spending on 15 widely used drugs to treat cancer and other serious chronic conditions that hit older adults hardest.Previously, the Biden administration reached deals to lower the costs of 10 prescription drugs, including several for heart disease and diabetes, which are…

Retirement planning means balancing financial security with health and longevity.gettyMany retirees report that good health is one of the most important factors for their happiness in retirement. In addition, avoiding or mitigating expensive medical conditions can help you save precious time and money. For example, a recent survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute reports that 71% of respondents are terrified about what healthcare costs can do to their retirement savings. As a result, it’s important to have a robust plan in place to maintain and even improve your health and manage your medical issues.My wife and I are in our…

Key Takeaways Dollar Tree posted quarterly earnings that exceeded analysts’ estimates and lifted its outlook.Shares of the dollar store chain climbed Wednesday following the results. Dollar Tree just became the latest discount retailer to report a boost from bargain-hunting shoppers. Shares of the dollar store chain climbed close to 4% Wednesday after the retailer posted earnings that topped estimates and raised its outlook. Dollar Tree (DLTR) reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.21 on revenue that surged 9.4% year-over-year to $4.75 billion in the third quarter. Both figures exceeded analysts’ estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. CEO Michael Creedon Jr. pointed…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The main U.S. stock indexes closed higher Wednesday after investors, traders and speculators sorted another set of employment data. Market participants seem encouraged by the prospect of at least one more rate cut by the Federal Reserve as another record-setting earnings season winds down.The ADP National Employment Report has all but sealed a rate cut at the next Fed meeting. Private-sector payrolls were down 32,000 in November vs a FactSet-compiled consensus forecast for 40,000 new jobs. The probability the central bank trims the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points next week is…

Key Takeaways Kalshi’s latest deal follows other partnerships including with Google Finance, the National Hockey League, and Robinhood.Other prediction markets, and those interested in developing them have inked deals to make their data more ubiquitous. Prediction markets are getting more more visible to the masses by the day. Kalshi recently announced a partnership with CNN that would include integrating its prediction markets data across the national media network’s programming. Certain segments are already showing a scrolling banner detailing the odds of events contracts on the exchange, and the announcement indicates the possibility of many more uses. Prediction markets have become…