Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways The Mag 7 drive a huge share of total U.S. market value.Their stock performance explains most of the S&P 500’s recent gains.Free cash flow and R&D spending reveal the financial power behind their growth.ETF concentration data shows how much exposure investors already have.Big Tech’s dominance raises both opportunity—and concentration risk. The Magnificent Seven—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta, and Tesla—aren’t just market leaders. In a sense, they are the market. These seven companies drive index performance, shape investor portfolios, and set the pace for innovation across AI, cloud computing, consumer tech, and more. This visual explainer breaks down…

Key Takeaways At age 65, the average Social Security payment is $1,583 per month, with men receiving more ($1,756) and women less ($1,426).The average 401(k) balance for people aged 65 to 69 is $252,800—providing about $800 per month to spend under the 4% rule.With an average of about $2,400 per month from Social Security and 401(k) savings combined, many retirees may face financial challenges without additional support or income, particularly in higher-cost areas.Options like downsizing, relocating, part-time work, and reverse mortgages can help stretch limited resources. At age 65, many retirees find themselves relying on a combination of Social Security…

Key Takeaways Nike is set to post fiscal second-quarter results after the closing bell Thursday, with sales and profits expected to decline as the company weathers the impact of higher tariffs.Options pricing suggests traders see Nike’s stock moving nearly 7% in either direction after the results. Nike is set to post quarterly earnings after the market closes Thursday, with traders anticipating a big move from athletic apparel maker’s stock following the results. Current options pricing suggests traders expect Nike’s (NKE) stock could swing up to 7% in either direction by the end of the week. A move of that size…

Key Takeaways Newark Liberty International Airport, located just 10 miles from Jersey City, serves over 30 airlines and offers nonstop flights to more than 180 domestic and international destinations.Jersey City offers easy access to Amtrak, PATH trains, ferries, and buses.Retirees enjoy walkable neighborhoods and a robust downtown with waterfront parks, international dining, museums, galleries, and shops. Residents in Hudson County are just a short commute away from the perks of big-city living, but with 13% lower housing costs than in New York County. Jersey City makes an excellent home base for retirees hoping to trade their 9-to-5s for frequent flyer miles. …

There was a time when Mark Felton put together a financial plan the old-fashioned way: With spreadsheets.The 59-year-old from Stilwell, Kansas, had always been reluctant to pay an ongoing portfolio-management fee to an adviser, so he wanted to try financial planning on his own. Because he had no formal training in that area — he works in the legal department for a cell-phone carrier — that was a pretty big hill to climb. He found the spreadsheet method cumbersome, and he figured there might be some gaping holes in his knowledge. So last year, he started toying around with do-it-yourself…

Key Takeaways Medical supply company Medline is set to make its trading debut on the Nasdaq today.The company raised more than $6 billion with the sale of 216 million shares priced at $29 each, making its the largest U.S. IPO in terms of proceeds since Rivian’s in 2021. Medline is set to start trading on the Nasdaq today, after the medical supply company raised $6.26 billion in one of the biggest initial public offerings in recent years.  The medical supply giant, which will debut under the “MDLN” stock ticker, said Tuesday that it sold just over 216 million shares in…

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldA year has not been well spent unless you have changed your mind about something important during it. For me, 2025 was well spent. But more on that later. First, to Ukraine. If the US now prefers Russia to democratic Europe, it is important to pin down exactly why.One theory is that American conservatives are drawn to Russia’s Christian nationalism. But this is truer of the wider Maga movement than of Donald Trump himself, who is not one for abstract…

(Image credit: Getty Images)When it comes to building wealth, most people obsess over picking the right stocks or timing the market. But the real secret isn’t really a secret. It’s just time.Compound interest works like a quiet engine, steadily multiplying your money in the background.And the earlier you start, the more powerful that engine becomes. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice…

Key Takeaways Most households should aim to replace 70% to 85% of their pre-retirement pay, combining savings withdrawals with Social Security. Adjusting the mix of contributions, your claiming age, and products such as annuities lets you hit a personalized replacement target. Reaching $1 million in your 401(k) is a big milestone, but a seven‑figure balance can be a mirage. The question is whether all of your retirement resources—401(k), individual retirement account (IRA), brokerage account, cash, and Social Security—can be counted on to reliably replace enough of your paycheck to keep your lifestyle intact for decades.That percentage is called your income…

Key Takeaways Amazon is reportedly in talks with OpenAI about investing $10 billion or more in the ChatGPT maker. The deal is also expected to see OpenAI use Amazon AI chips.Earlier this year, OpenAI agreed to buy $38 billion in cloud computing capacity from Amazon Web Services over the next several years. Amazon (AMZN) could be set to unveil an investment of $10 billion or more in ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The companies are in talks for a deal that would see OpenAI buy some of Amazon’s custom AI chips, and that would likely push OpenAI’s valuation above $500 billion, according…