Author: Money Mechanics

Punkt/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Punkt MC03 is a privacy-first handset that runs a verified list of secure apps.It’s powered by AphyOS, a subscription-based operating system.Punkt is launching the phone in the US this Spring for $699.Sharing data with Google and Apple offers convenience, but often at the cost of privacy and security. Third-party apps and online services can further increase your risk. To address these concerns, Punkt has launched the MC03, a smartphone built specifically to keep your data private and secure.Powered by AphyOS, the MC03 is a mid-range device paired with a subscription-based…

(Oil Price)– The latest flare-up between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen looks dramatic on the surface, but OPEC cohesion, not missiles or militias, is what ultimately matters to the oil markets, which is why the latest public spat between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen created just a temporary blip in crude prices. Saudi forces intercepted this week what they said was an unauthorized UAE-linked shipment of weapons and military equipment destined for southern Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition dished out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla after Riyadh framed it as a…

Key Takeaways Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Jan. 1, ending 60 years atop the $1.1 trillion conglomerate.The final tally: Berkshire stock gained 134 times more than the broader market. If investors in the S&P 500 climbed a hill, investors in Berkshire scaled Everest. Now that Warren Buffett is out as CEO at Berkshire Hathaway, it’s time to tally the remarkable run he presided over. Wall Street investors tracked his every trade. Everyday Americans made him a hero for talking about business the way your friend might—while making billions doing it. And now, after a transition years in the…

Key Takeaways Tesla posted its second consecutive year of declining sales in 2025, allowing rival BYD to pull ahead in global EV sales.Enthusiasm around AI, robotics and the company’s robotaxi service has driven Tesla’s stock recovery, with some analysts calling 2026 a potential turning point. A disappointing year of electric vehicle sales is finally in the rear-view mirror for Tesla (TSLA). The company reported 418,227 deliveries in the fourth quarter, down 16% year-over-year and below the 422,850 consensus estimate of 20 analysts it had reported Monday in advance of the release. Tesla delivered 1,636,129 vehicles in 2025, 9% below the…

Most Americans — nearly three in four — have a rewards credit card, according to a 2024 poll from market research company Ipsos. But ensuring that you maximize your cash back, points and miles, and other benefits can be a challenge, especially if multiple cards are in your wallet.Try one of these apps to stay on top of your cards’ rewards and perks.The best apps for tracking credit card rewards (Image credit: Getty Images)AwardWallet lets you track more than 600 credit card, airline and hotel programs. The app shows you how much you earn in rewards with each transaction and…

The US stock market is all set to start the new year on a positive note. Investor confidence has improved after the reached new record highs during the Christmas period, trading clearly above 6,900 points. Although those highs did not hold for long and the market has entered a short correction, the broader trend remains positive. Buyers continue to target the 7,000 point level, which could become the next record high if upward momentum holds. This remains the base scenario. As investors look to build portfolios at the start of the year, attention is shifting toward companies that are already…

Stone Ridge Asset Management, the New York based alternative risk premia focused investment manager, has reported that its two flagship mutual insurance-linked securities and reinsurance investment fund strategies delivered total returns of 33% and 14.27% for the annual period to October 31st, while combined ILS assets managed in its mutual funds surpassed $6 billion.Not only has Stone Ridge Asset Management now grown the insurance-linked securities (ILS) assets under management of its mutual fund strategies by 21% over the last year, adding more than a billion dollars to them, the investment manager has also delivered another year of stellar returns for…

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.The 2025 economy wasn’t as robust as anticipated — and that’s shaping the commercial real estate outlook for 2026. The economy has slowed down, unemployment is up and construction has taken a bit of a breather across most sectors. This year saw increases in both tariffs and immigration restrictions. Together,…

No company has capitalized on the AI revolution more dramatically than Nvidia. Its revenue, profitability, and cash reserves have skyrocketed since the introduction of ChatGPT over three years ago — and the many competitive generative AI services that have launched since. Its stock price has soared, making it a $4.6 trillion market cap company.  The world’s leading high-performance GPU maker has used its ballooning fortunes to significantly increase investments in startups, particularly in AI.  Nvidia has participated in nearly 67 venture capital deals in 2025, surpassing the 54 deals the company completed in all of 2024, according to PitchBook data. Note…

Key Takeaways Less than half of people saving for retirement are on track to maintain their current lifestyle in retirement, according to Vanguard.Older Gen Z workers (ages 24-28) are the best prepared, with 47% on a trajectory to keep up their lifestyles in retirement. Millennials (42%), Gen Xers (41%), and younger Baby Boomers (40%) are less prepared.Working just two years longer would significantly increase the number of workers who could maintain their current lifestyles in retirement, Vanguard found. Regardless of where you are in your career and how long you have until retirement, proper planning for a post-work life means…