Author: Money Mechanics

(Investing)– Brazilian oil workers union FUP said on Monday it plans to accept a counteroffer from state-run company Petrobras for a labor deal, paving the way to end a week-long strike. In a statement published on social media, FUP said a majority of its board had approved signaling it would accept the oil firm’s counteroffer, which still requires approval from workers. It did not provide further details. Petrobras in a separate statement confirmed it had made “adjustments” to its latest collective labor proposal, “including advances on key union demands,” and added the strike has not affected production or market supply. The…

On Dec. 17, news broke about China-based MetaX Integrated Circuits making its public debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and subsequently surging by around 700%.  The company—not to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META)—was founded by former Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) executives and develops general-purpose graphics processing units, or GPUs, for applications in artificial intelligence.  Because of the AI-focus of its microchips, the company has drawn comparisons to NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), the largest publicly traded company by market cap at $4.58 trillion.  As an increasing level of global competition comes to the forefront, should shareholders be…

Ongoing AI investments lay the groundwork for a potential multi-trillion-dollar market by 2035. These companies have a firm grasp on key AI niches, as well as stakes in privately owned AI companies. Together, these five stocks offer exposure to AI opportunities in both hardware and software. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia › All of the aggressive investments into chips and data centers that you’ve read and heard about are about laying the groundwork for what’s to come. Research by Roots Analysis estimates that the artificial intelligence (AI) market could grow from just over $270 billion today to more…

ROAD to Housing Act With a goal of streamlined permitting, expanded infrastructure investments, and new developments to increases housing supply and affordability across the country, NAR has been a strong proponent of the ROAD to Housing Act since it was first introduced in the fall of 2024. “The ROAD to Housing Act recognizes what Realtors see every day on the ground: we don’t have a demand problem in this country, we have a supply problem,” McGahn said. “By tackling permitting delays, incentivizing local pro-housing reforms, and modernizing federal programs, this bill would help accelerate housing production and bring down costs…

Six influencers recently announced that they are leaving esports group FaZe Clan following unsuccessful contract negotiations with new management. Bloomberg reports that influencers known as Adapt, Jason, Ronaldo, Lacy, Rage, and Silky — the entire roster on the FaZe Clan website — all announced that they are leaving the group.  Adapt wrote on X that he’d spent 14 years as part of FaZe Clan: “Over half of my life, I’d be lying if I said this didn’t hurt, but it had to be done.” Another FaZe Clan member who left in August had described the situation as one where the…

Key Takeaways Texas offers retirees the absence of a state income tax plus lower living costs.Jefferson County provides coastal living at an affordable price.Maverick County offers small-town charm with an authentic Mexican feel.Gregg County blends East Texas culture with strong health care options. If you’re starting to think about where you might like to retire, Texas should be on your list of possible landing spots. With no state income tax, a lower cost of living, and plenty of sunshine, it’s a retirement destination that balances affordability with lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to fishing along the coast, enjoying the slower pace…

Key Takeaways Gold prices have surged to new all-time highs in 2025. The current gold surge is fueled by inflation, economic risks, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence. Buffett has called gold an “unproductive” asset that doesn’t generate income. Berkshire had a brief gold mining stake in 2020. In 2025, gold prices are the highest they’ve ever been, as both investors and central banks increase their holdings to hedge against inflation, economic risks, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence. However, legendary investor Warren Buffett has voiced skepticism about gold as a long-term investment. In this article,…

MS Amlin is back in the market to place securitized notes under its Phoenix Re series of collateralized reinsurance sidecar deals, with a $24.5 million tranche of notes under its Singapore registered Special Purpose Reinsurance Vehicle named Phoenix 2 Re Pte. Ltd. so far, Artemis can reveal.2026 will be the sixth consecutive year that MS Amlin, via its MS Amlin Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. division, has returned to the capital markets to renew protection through its collateralized catastrophe quota share reinsurance sidecar vehicles, which fall under the Phoenix Re name. Singapore based special purpose reinsurance vehicles have been used in…

Key Takeaways Baby boomers’ concerns include whether they have enough saved for retirement, taxes, and managing their legacy. Financial advisors claim the best way to ease these anxieties is through planning. That could include testing to see if retirement income will be enough before retiring, ensuring withdrawals don’t put you in a higher tax bracket, and prefunding a health savings account (HSA). For many baby boomers, retirement and growing old is a frightening prospect. Gone are the days of the employer paying a guaranteed lifetime pension income. Now, the onus is on them to build one and try to figure…

Key Takeaways If you receive a holiday bonus or gift money, you may want to put most of it toward long-term financial goals and use a bit to treat yourself, too.Think about how to invest these funds for long-term growth.Even if you can’t fully accomplish a financial goal with your year-end check, building some momentum helps. The holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation offers a useful reminder about what not to do with a big year-end check. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) plans to use his holiday bonus to install a swimming pool—before the money actually arrives. While it all works…