Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Employers had 7.7 million job openings in October, more than economists were expecting and higher than August’s total of 7.2 million.However, layoffs also increased to their highest levels since 2023, while the hiring rate dropped to levels rarely seen since the Great Recession.The data isn’t expected to derail an expected interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve Wednesday, as economists point to continued weakness in the labor market. The U.S. labor is continuing to cool, but it’s not crashing. Today’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report had mixed messages for economists. October job openings were up…

Ready to travel but low on cash? Having a small budget shouldn’t prevent you from embarking on that vacation to Europe or beach getaway in the Caribbean. Instead, you’ll just have to be more savvy with your planning, scouring the internet for good deals on flights and entertainment, traveling during off-peak times, and using simple hacks to cut down on costs. We connected with travel experts who revealed how people can make the most of their vacations even while they’re on a budget. Use Websites To Find Deals on Flights Before you book an airline flight, check out Google Flights…

Key Takeaways An incorrect address can be an innocent error, but it can also signal identity theft.The address on your credit report generally won’t affect your credit score.Notify the credit reporting agency that issued the report if you see an incorrect address there.You can place a freeze or fraud alert on your credit in serious situations. Your credit report is a critical component of your financial life since it demonstrates your level of creditworthiness to lenders, which can determine whether you achieve financial goals like buying a home or a car. Unfortunately, your credit report can contain inaccurate personal information,…

holds near $4,192 an ounce as markets begin to price a slower pace of gains in 2026. State Street strategists expect consolidation between $4,000 and $4,500 next year, arguing that the metal’s surge in 2025, the strongest since 1979, has already embedded much of the structural demand that propelled prices higher. The potential shift in momentum matters because this year’s rally has been driven less by tactical flows and more by deep macro pressures that show no sign of easing. Elevated correlations between stocks and bonds continue to erode the diversification benefit of traditional portfolios, which increases the strategic importance…

“Homeownership remains one of life’s most monumental transactions, and today buyers are approaching that life goal with new expectations,” said Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. “High barriers to entry have created a generation of buyers who know what they want and won’t settle for less. These insights can help sellers and agents make design and presentation choices that resonate with modern buyers who are eager but increasingly discerning.” The report highlights six key themes influencing homebuying decisions, including; The new starter home: With the average first-time homebuyer nearing age 40, affordability is no longer the…

It’s been quite the year for Coreweave. In March, the AI cloud infrastructure provider went public in one of the biggest and most anticipated IPOs of the year that didn’t live up to its hype. Another setback took place in October, when a planned acquisition of the cloud provider’s business partner, Core Scientific, faltered due to skepticism from the acquisition target’s shareholders.  In the meantime, the firm has acquired a number of different companies, its stock has gone up and down, and it’s been both criticized and lauded for its role in the booming AI data center market.  In an…

Key Takeaways CVS Health shares climbed Tuesday after the health conglomerate raised its full-year outlook.The company also announced plans for a platform with AI features as part of its engagement strategy. CVS wants investors to know it sees bigger profits ahead, and has new AI plans. Shares of CVS Health (CVS) climbed about 2% Tuesday after the health conglomerate lifted its full-year forecast and outlined an AI strategy to drive higher engagement. The parent of CVS Pharmacy, benefits manager CVS Caremark, and Aetna insurance said it now sees full-year adjusted earnings per share of $6.60 to $6.70, up from an earlier…

KEY TAKEAWAYS About three in 10 Americans hold a high school diploma as their highest level of education, and there are hundreds of occupations available to them.Home health and personal care aides top the list of jobs with the most openings for high school graduates.Among the jobs with the most expected openings, first-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers will typically earn the most. Home health and personal care aides will have the most openings for workers with a high school diploma or GED over the next decade, with about 765,800 openings expected each year through 2034, according to…

Key Takeaways With the Fed likely to cut rates a quarter-point this week, savings APYs should slip by a similar amount—meaning they’ll dip, not collapse. To stay ahead of inflation, aim for a savings rate that clears today’s 3% inflation mark so your money keeps gaining value. Top high-yield savings accounts and CDs still pay 4%–5%, making it easy for savers to keep their money growing faster than inflation. What the Fed’s Move Could Do to Your Savings Rate Financial markets overwhelmingly expect the Federal Reserve to announce another quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday. That matters to anyone with cash…

Key Takeaways Individual investors remain optimistic despite fears of bubbles and inflation.Many bought the dip in the biggest stocks in November.AI-related stocks and cryptocurrency top the list of frothy assets.Inflation is investors’ top concern. Almost nothing seems to rattle individual investors lately. They’ve overcome fears about tariffs, inflation, and a potential stock market bubble, continuing to buy their favorite stocks and ETFs all year long. Despite concerns about economic policy, overvaluations in AI stocks, and rising prices, investors are mostly optimistic about the stock market right now, according to Investopedia’s recent survey. More than 60% describe themselves as either optimistic…