Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Broadcom posted better-than-expected earnings on AI demand, and said it sees that momentum continuing in the current quarter. The results didn’t immediately revive confidence in the AI trade after Thursday’s sell-off in the wake of Oracle’s earnings. The AI trade has sputtered lately. Investors looking for Broadcom’s latest quarterly results to get it running again have been disappointed so far. Shares of chipmaker Broadcom (AVGO) first jumped in extended trading Thursday, rising after it posted results that topped analysts’ estimates on growing AI demand. That was welcome for bullish investors who saw the Nasdaq and many of the Dow’s…

Key Takeaways Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell only has three policy meetings left before his term ends in May.Powell’s impending replacement makes it more challenging to predict future interest rates, as new leadership may alter the Fed’s strategy.Financial markets are pricing in lower future interest rates than Fed officials have forecast, likely because President Donald Trump’s nominee would push for lower rates. Everything the Federal Open Market Committee said and did at its meeting Wednesday came with a huge asterisk: New leadership could push the central bank to move its key interest rate in a different direction in a few…

Key Takeaways Divorce reshapes your financial life, but revisiting your budget, debt, and savings plans early can help prevent long-term damage to your retirement security.Understanding how assets are divided can help you protect future income and make choices that support long-term stability.Periodic monitoring and small adjustments are key to keeping your retirement plans intact after a major life change. What a Divorce Can Mean for Your Money and Retirement More than 1.8 million Americans divorced in 2023, and one-third of Americans who have ever been married have been divorced. If you’re among them—or are navigating the process now—you already know…

Key Takeaways Inflation pressures are likely to persist in early 2026 owing to tariffs, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said after yesterday’s meeting of the central bank’s policy committee.While the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate this week, it will be closely watching for the impact from tariffs on prices as it evaluates its next actions. Inflation is likely to get worse before it gets better, and the Federal Reserve will be keeping a close eye on prices and tariffs next year before making its next move on interest rates, Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned yesterday. “In the near…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up at Thursday’s opening bell and rallied throughout the trading session to set a new all-time closing high as the prospect of lower borrowing costs boosted sectors beyond technology and the AI spending boom. It was a different story for the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500.Visa (V, +6.1%) led 22 of the 30 Dow Jones stocks into positive territory after BofA Securities upgraded it to Buy from Neutral and reiterated a $382 12-month target price, potential upside of more than 10% vs Thursday’s closing price.At the other end of the…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. December 11, 2025 Federal Reserve Board announces reappointment of Reserve Bank presidents and first vice presidents For release at 4:00 p.m. EST Following a comprehensive review by the boards of directors of the regional Reserve Banks, and the unanimous concurrence of Federal Reserve Board members, the Federal Reserve on Thursday announced the reappointment of Federal Reserve Bank presidents and first vice presidents. By law, all Reserve Bank presidents and first vice presidents serve…

Wells Fargo (WFC) is the latest Wall Street firm to outline another bullish outlook for the S&P 500 (^GSPC) in 2026. Darrell Cronk, president and chief investment officer at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute, said Tuesday that the firm sees the benchmark index reaching 7,400-7,600 in the year ahead, implying as much as an 11% gain, with this rise bolstered by a combination of consumer spending, AI investment, and deregulation. “If you spin the clock forward to this time next year, in 2026 we actually think returns are going to be solid when we close the books, but we think…

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $52.8 billion in September, down $6.4 billion from $59.3 billion in August, revised. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit Deficit: $52.8 Billion –10.9%° Exports: $289.3 Billion +3.0%° Imports: $342.1 Billion +0.6%° Next release: To be determined. Report delayed due to recent lapse in federal funding. (°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services,…

The Fed cut by 0.25% yesterday, helping US stocks rise. The FOMC also announced a Treasury bond-buying program, but Fed Chair suggested it will take a lot to cut rates again, lowering the chances of another in 2026. Investor mood took a hit after reported and issued cautious guidance, sending its stock down nearly 12% in after-hours trading. The lack of a rally despite the Fed’s rate cut raises doubts about year-end gains and whether a Christmas rally will happen.In search of “Financial Fortresses” to inject security into portfolios In this environment, adding caution to portfolios makes sense. One way…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. December 11, 2025 Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement actions with Credit Suisse Group AG, Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc., Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. For release at 11:00 a.m. EST The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the termination of the enforcement actions listed below: Credit Suisse Group AG, Zurich, Switzerland, Credit Suisse AG, Zurich, Switzerland, Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc., New…