Author: Money Mechanics

Consumers are still dining out, but instead of higher-priced entrees, many are ordering more appetizers. As food inflation and affordability dominates the conversation about the U.S. consumer, new restaurant purchasing data shows even among Americans who are going to restaurants, many are in the mindset of cutting back.”Appetizer orders are up 20% year over year, even as entrees and desserts are largely flat or declining,” said Jim Pazzanese, executive vice president of global strategic procurement of Buyers Edge Platform, which tracks supply chain data within the food service industry. “The shift is visible at the item level,” he said, with…

Key Takeaways Costco reported quarterly results that topped analysts’ expectations on the top and bottom lines, as its e-commerce sales took off.The biggest U.S. warehouse club retailer also saw a big jump in revenue from membership fees.Costco shares lost ground on Friday, pushing the stock further into negative territory for the year. Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) posted better-than-expected results as its e-commerce business boomed and revenue from membership fees increased. The biggest U.S. warehouse club retailer late Thursday reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of $4.50 per share, 19 cents more than what analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha were looking for.…

(World Oil) – WASHINGTON — The American Petroleum Institute (API) is welcoming the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of two bipartisan bills aimed at overhauling the federal permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects. The legislation includes the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act (H.R. 3668) and the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act (H.R. 3898). Both measures are designed to streamline federal approvals and reduce permitting delays that have slowed major energy projects across the country. “We applaud the House for advancing bipartisan legislation to modernize permitting and fix a system that’s long been broken,” said API President and CEO…

 While the government shutdown has ended, previously unreleased economic data is now slated to be released in the coming days and weeks. What challenges or opportunities does this pose for market participants and analysts?There are a couple challenges. First, some data will be incomplete. For example, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has said that, due to the shutdown, the unemployment rate data for October will not be available. So, in the short term, how do we deal with these gaps in the data? Of course, there are numerous private or alternative data series that can help plug the holes,…

Key Takeaways Lululemon announced CEO Calvin McDonald is departing at the same time as its search for his replacement.The process irked Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson—who, along with analysts, expressed optimism about bringing on fresh leadership. Lululemon’s once high-flying stock has plummeted this year. Now a new CEO will be brought in to help coach the athleisure brand through its recovery. Lululemon Athletica (LULU) said Thursday that Calvin McDonald’s roughly eight-year tenure will conclude at the end of January. The transition process is unfolding in a somewhat dramatic manner, with the company announcing a search rather than immediately naming a permanent…

Key Takeaways For Warren Buffett, market volatility can often be an opportunity to grab some value. Buffett treats market dips like sales events, but only on businesses he truly understands. A bigger risk than market moves is often emotions like fear and panic. Market volatility tends to stress out investors. A down day for the Dow can induce anxiety, and a sudden market rally can entice amateur investors to chase stocks they don’t really understand. However, for Buffett—the legendary investor whose name has become almost synonymous with both discipline and long-term investing—market swings are not to be feared, but to…

In 2025, 72.9 million freelancers comprised the American workforce, contributing an estimated $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy. Freelancing offers freedom and flexibility, enabling you to select your projects, determine your schedule, and work from virtually anywhere. However, by definition, freelancing also entails taking complete responsibility for your own retirement planning. There’s no employer-sponsored retirement plan with matching contributions. Sometimes, you may not even get steady paychecks. So, you’ll need a solid savings and investing plan with clearly defined goals and actions that build your financial resources. Create Your Savings and Investment Plan 1. Start Early When it comes to retirement, time…

Key Takeaways A Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative investigation found that Instacart prices for identical grocery items varied by up to 23% between customers at retailers including Costco Wholesale, Kroger, Safeway and Target.My own receipts showed similar double-digit swings, and prices shifted down to the penny, with staples like eggs, butter and olive oil costing wildly different amounts from one order to the next, far beyond normal grocery inflation or what’s seen in consumer apps tracking Costco prices over time. The U.S. government may have minted the last penny last month, but Instacart’s algorithms are still fighting for every last…

Key Takeaways Buffett’s Apple investment exemplifies his comprehensive investment philosophy: the courage to build large positions, the patience to hold through volatility, and the willingness to sell when circumstances change.While Berkshire has reduced its Apple stake by 69% from 2023 to 2025, the investment still represents Buffett’s most profitable position ever, highlighting how a great investment can withstand significant profit-taking. In late 2016, Warren Buffett started what would become the most profitable investment in his legendary career. Through his company, Berkshire Hathaway Corp. (BRK.A), (BRK.B), he began accumulating shares in Apple Inc. (AAPL), first buying about $1 billion worth and…

Some weeks last a year, and some years feel like they last a decade. 2025 has brought us ten years’ worth of news that has reshaped the global economy and financial markets at a breakneck pace. A tariff war, the AI of everything and the stocks tied to it, the proliferation of sports betting and the prediction markets, the entrance of cryptocurrencies into our federal banking system, and a relentless bull market were just some of this year’s headlines.  Investopedia’s ever-curious readers stayed on top of all of these market-moving events as they circulated through our articles and financial terms…