Author: Money Mechanics

Gold (GC=F) futures opened at $4,069.20 per ounce on Monday, down 0.3% from Friday’s close of $4,079.50. The price of gold has remained below $4,100 since Nov. 19. The near-term interest-rate outlook continues to influence demand and pricing for the yellow metal. Traders currently predict a 73.5% chance the Fed will lower rates by a quarter-point in December, according to CME FedWatch. The chances increased after New York Fed President John Williams spoke last week, expressing support for another rate reduction. However, the Fed will have to make its decision without current jobs data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics canceled…

Homes in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week, causing demand from both current homeowners and potential homebuyers to drop. Total mortgage application volume fell 5.2% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, increased last week to 6.37% from 6.34%, with points remaining unchanged at 0.62, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20% down payment. That…

Zooey Liao/ZDNETWhen is Black Friday? This year, Black Friday falls on Friday, Nov. 28. Cyber Monday follows shortly after on Monday, Dec. 1. Are deals really cheaper during Black Friday? The holiday season, including Black Friday, is generally a great time to scoop up deals on a multitude of products, including flagship tech. While it’s true to shop smart you need to be aware of sly tactics like markups and faux discounts, price tracking tools like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel make it easier than ever to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. Black Friday is also an excellent time to save on last…

Key Takeaways Wedbush upgraded Carvana stock to outperform, calling the company the “new used car king.”Analysts at Wedbush see Carvana passing rival CarMax in unit vehicle volume in the fourth quarter of next year. Shares of auto retailer Carvana (CVNA) jumped Monday after Wedbush upgraded the stock, calling the company the “new used car king.” Wedbush raised its rating to “outperform” from “neutral,” and lifted the price target from $380 to $400. The stock was up 6% at around $328 in recent trading. Why This Is Significant Analysts say Carvana’s momentum is accelerating fast enough to overtake rival CarMax sooner…

Key Takeaways Stocks rebounded Monday, with AI shares leading the way after a crushing week for tech investors.Retail investors likely bought the dip aggressively last week, with S&P 500 ETF inflows rising sharply as the index slid, according to an analysis by UBS. The gloom that has hung over Wall Street in recent weeks showed signs of dissipating on Monday.  The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was up about 2.4% in recent trading, leading the major indexes higher after lagging during Friday’s rally. Big tech shares and many of Wall Street’s favorite AI stocks were among Monday’s top gainers, with chipmakers Broadcom…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett’s “one rule” is simple but powerful: never confuse a stock’s price with its value. In downturns like 1966 and 2008, that principle helped Buffett beat the market and even make billions while others lost fortunes. His patience is the secret weapon: if prices don’t fall below value, he simply waits—no matter how long it takes. Buffett opened his 2008 letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) shareholders with a quote he credits to his teacher, Benjamin Graham: “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.”​ That’s the rule, but 2008 was a brutal year…

KEY TAKEAWAYS Graduate students pursuing careers as mental health counselors or lawyers are expected to have the highest number of job openings in the next nine years, compared to other fields that require a master’s degree.These master’s degrees may be a good option for the increasing number of recent bachelor’s degree graduates who are struggling to find work in the slowing labor market. Recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree, but having a hard time finding a job? Going to graduate school in these fields may lead you to some better prospects. This year, the labor market has been slow to…

Key Takeaways Investment professionals have started to talk about market downturns in a positive way, calling them “healthy” or an “opportunity.”A 25% correction in the S&P 500 would not be the end of the world, one told Investopedia, but a 50% rally from these levels could actually be bad news. A lot of people are talking about a market downturn lately. And they’re saying it might be a good thing. Morgan Stanley chief Ted Pick recently said the firm would “welcome the possibility” of 10%-to-15% drawdowns. Investment strategists at Charles Schwab (SCHW), Edward Jones, and Invesco have called recent market…

When facing a financial emergency, accessing money in a 401(k) plan can feel a bit like being stranded at sea: surrounded by water, yet unable to take a drink. Your money is there, it’s just not designed to be accessed today.gettyFor many Americans, their largest single source of savings isn’t a checking account or savings account — it’s their employer-sponsored retirement plan. Yet it’s also one of the most difficult accounts to access. That’s by design. Qualified defined contribution plans like 401(k)s come with rules, restrictions and potential tax penalties that make early withdrawals challenging. When facing a financial emergency,…

Key Takeaways The tech sector helped drive Monday’s rally, in what could point to improving sentiment after a recent pullback. Markets also got a boost from growing optimism about a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month. Are investors ready to buy back into the AI trade? Monday’s market rally, bolstered by a number of AI investor favorites, could point to improving sentiment surrounding the sector, along with growing optimism about a rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month. After a particularly tough stretch for tech stocks in recent weeks, the sector was one of the strongest in…