Author: Money Mechanics

This article explains the factors to consider before you file for Social Security benefits. A married couple needs to look at their claiming decision as a joint life decision, not as an individual in a silo. As you work through this process, keep this in mind that claiming Social Security benefits is a one-time decision you must make correctly.Full Retirement AgeThe age at which you qualify for full unreduced monthly benefits. This age ranges from 66 to 67. Any time you claim benefits early, between 62 and your full retirement age, those benefits will always be reduced.Primary Insurance AmountThe amount…

Key Takeaways Bank of America analysts compiled a group of 16 stock picks for investors looking to find value outside of the AI trade amid growing worries about a bubble. The list includes AT&T, Disney, Dollar General, KeyCorp, Progressive, and cruise operator Viking. If you’re looking to diversify your stock portfolio away from AI, Bank of America has some suggestions. In a note to clients this week, the analysts listed 16 stock picks that aren’t generally considered direct AI beneficiaries—and that they believe could be undervalued, leaving room for growth. Their ideas aren’t included in AI-related exchange-traded funds, the analysts said;…

Key Takeaways President Trump’s 50-year mortgage idea aims to make homebuying easier, but the loans would likely carry higher rates and cost more overall.On a median-priced home, a 50-year mortgage could cut payments by about $100, yet it would slow how quickly owners build equity.Experts warn that stretching loans that long could backfire, driving prices higher and doing little to fix the nation’s housing shortage. What Trump Said—And Why It’s Sparking Debate President Donald Trump recently suggested that homebuyers should have the option of 50-year mortgages to make purchasing homes more affordable, saying in a post on his social-media platform…

President Donald Trump signed a short-term spending bill Wednesday night that reopens the federal government through January 30. Investors, traders and speculators are assessing the implications of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which includes the resumption of regular collecting and reporting of economic data.Meanwhile, in addition to its leader providing another quarterly update on the AI revolution next week, a number of important retailers will offer a look at the health of the American consumer.The usual sectors reflected a risk-off mood – communication services, technology and consumer discretionary stocks were three of the biggest losers. Utility stocks were…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The price of gold has rebounded over the past week after slumping for a few weeks following a series of record highs.Several demand drivers for the precious metal persist, most notably strong investment demand from ETFs.Additional policy or financial market risk could push prices up another 10%, UBS says. The price of gold surged in anticipation of the federal government shutdown, but now that it’s over, the rally won’t necessarily end. Ongoing robust investment demand amid continued economic uncertainty could keep driving gold higher, analysts say. Gold has hit a series of record highs this year, with the…

Did you buy a house but are now experiencing home buyer’s remorse? Or maybe you’re undergoing a major life change that’s making you consider selling your house sooner than you’d anticipated. While there are no federal laws requiring you to stay in a house for a certain amount of time, in rare cases, there may be local regulations that govern how soon you can sell after buying. Mortgage lenders also don’t have official rules about when you can sell, but you may face prepayment penalties or financial losses from a fast sale. Few people plan to buy and then sell…

fstop123 | E+ | Getty ImagesForeclosure filings climbed again in October, after sitting at historic lows in recent years, according to new data released Thursday.While the numbers are still small, the persistent rise in foreclosures may be a sign of cracks in the housing market.There were 36,766 U.S. properties with some type of foreclosure filing in October — such as default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions, according to Attom, a property data and analytics firm. That was 3% higher than September and a 19% jump from October 2024, and marked the eighth straight month of annual increases, Attom said.Foreclosure…

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has landed the booster of its New Glenn mega-rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean on just its second attempt — making it the second company to perform such a feat, following Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It’s an accomplishment that will help the new rocket system become an option to send larger payloads to space, the Moon, and beyond. Thursday’s launch wasn’t just about the landing attempt, though. The upper stage of New Glenn is carrying the company’s first commercial payload: twin spacecraft for NASA that will go travel to Mars to study the red…

Key Takeaways A media giant faced pressure on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, after missing quarterly sales forecasts, while a networking equipment and software player got a post-earnings boost.Disney stock tumbled as softness in the linear TV business weighed on its quarterly results.Cisco topped quarterly forecasts, boosted by strong AI infrastructure demand, and its shares powered higher. Shares of a major media player dropped as underperformance from its TV networks dragged on its quarterly performance. Meanwhile, demand driven by the buildout of artificial intelligence infrastructure helped lift shares of a large tech firm. Major U.S. equities indexes lost ground, a day…

(Oil Price) – Oil markets have been volatile over the past couple of weeks, driven by a series of geopolitical developments including new U.S. sanctions on Russian energy, coupled with a fragile cease-fire in Gaza. Oil prices remain well below recent highs, with both Brent and WTI crude trading ~$15/bbl below their 52-week peak. Weak oil prices have taken a toll on the bottom lines of oil and gas companies, with the energy sector reporting third-quarter earnings growth at -0.5%, with only the Communication Services sector reporting lower growth at -7.1%. Both sectors grew well below the market average growth clip of 13.1% for…