Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Shares of several major vaccine makers lost ground Monday following a report U.S. vaccine approval rules could become stricter. An internal Food and Drug Administration memo last week reportedly linked COVID-19 vaccines with child deaths and proposed new regulatory measures. A report that vaccine approvals could be set to get stricter is pressuring shares of major vaccine makers. Moderna (MRNA), Novavax (NVAX), BioNTech (BNTX), and Pfizer (PFE) all lost ground Monday, following a report that an internal Food and Drug Administration memo last week proposed new regulatory measures. An email to staff from Vinay Prasad, director of the FDA’s…

Penny stocks often fly under the radar due to their high volatility. Surf Air Mobility (SRFM), which trades at roughly $2 per share, is a rapidly evolving regional air mobility company. After seven consecutive quarters of meeting or exceeding guidance, and with an improved balance sheet and a high-potential AI software platform nearing commercialization, Wall Street believes this penny stock will evolve more quickly than initially expected. With SurfOS set to launch in 2026 and the company moving toward profitability, some Wall Street analysts predict this undervalued penny stock could skyrocket by as much as 458% next year. www.barchart.com Founded…

The fell to 99.40–99.50 on the first day of December, continuing the depreciation that began at the end of November. While the index recorded its worst weekly performance in four months, both the pricing of an aggressive for the December 9–10 meeting and expectations that a more dovish name may be appointed in place of Jerome are creating pressure. The market has almost made the possibility of a 25-basis-point cut at the December meeting the “base case,” which weakens demand for the dollar amid narrowing interest-rate spread advantages.Impact of Fed Cut and Lack of Data on the DollarThe U.S. federal…

This Week In A Nutshell Rates fell last week as financial markets increasingly priced in a rate cut at next Wednesday’s Fed meeting, but an absence of recent jobs and inflation data makes this one particularly difficult to predict. Mortgage rates may continue to bounce around this week ahead of the meeting, especially against a backdrop where President Trump is nearing a decision for the next Fed chair. Upcoming Attractions This is usually the week with lots of job market data, but the government shutdown has delayed both the JOLTS and jobs reports. ADP employment report (Wednesday): Expected to be…

Key Takeaways Nvidia and Synopsys announced an expanded partnership, with Nvidia making a $2 billion equity investment in the chip design software maker.The deal is giving Synopsys shares a boost Monday after a tough 2025 so far. Chip design software maker Synopsys is the latest tech firm to see its stock surge on an AI partnership with Nvidia. Shares of Synopsys (SNPS) jumped close to 7% Monday morning before paring back some of their early gains after the company said it’s deepening its ties with AI chip darling Nvidia (NVDA), which saw its shares climb around 1% in recent trading.…

(World Oil) – Brazilian oil major Petrobras announced a 2% decrease in its next five-year investment plan to $109 billion, putting dividend payments in doubt at a time of lower oil prices. Shares fell. The state-controlled oil producer is caught between the government’s desire to grow the economy – especially ahead of a 2026 presidential election – and investors who demand high dividends and low debt. While Petrobras announced a regular dividend payout of at least $45 billion for the 2026-2030 period, similar to the previous plan, it didn’t commit to pay any extraordinary payouts to shareholders. Petrobras shares slid as much…

Key Takeaways Americans can expect to pay anywhere from about $5,000 to $30,000 per month for nursing home care, depending on the market.Medicare covers 100% of the costs of nursing home care for only 20 days. After that, families must handle the costs.There are steps families can take to try to shield themselves from these high costs, but it’s important to prepare early. There are many reasons why people don’t put their parents in a nursing home as their care needs mount. They may want to help their parents maintain their independence, for example, or protect them from potentially elder…

Key Takeaways Most Americans say estate planning matters, but fewer than one in three have a will. Two surveys found the main reasons for not having one include procrastination and the belief that their assets aren’t worth the effort. A Trust & Will survey found shifting priorities, with more people including plans for pets and naming friends or professionals instead of family as executors. Most Americans say they understand the value of a last will and testament and the estate planning process, but far fewer take steps to decide what will happen to their assets after death. Experts recommend that…

Key Takeaways You may be able to curb climbing health care expenses by using all your health care benefits before the end of the year.If you’ve met your annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, consider scheduling non-emergency services or refilling prescriptions before Dec. 31.Use dental, vision, and preventive care coverage to avoid costly illnesses and take advantage of annual allowances on advanced care.Maximize 2025 tax breaks by contributing to your health savings account (HSA) and calculating qualified medical expenses.Prepare for 2026 by ensuring your preferred physicians are in-network and that your new plan covers your prescription drugs.  Health care and insurance…

Quite often these days, when Americans tell me they want to move to Portugal, the conversation tends to start with: “I just want to get my money out of the U.S.”Whether it’s fatigue due to the ongoing political maelstrom, lifestyle aspirations or a desire to invest in euros, the motivations are understandable. But the financial implications of moving from the U.S. to Portugal are often misunderstood.As a cross-border financial adviser who’s lived and worked in both the U.S. and Portugal, I’ve seen firsthand how complex this transition can be. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter,…