Author: Money Mechanics

The second leg of the commodities bull supercycle is just getting started. You can feel it—not just in the charts, but also in the subtle shifts happening across the global economy. Energy costs that refuse to stay down. Supply chains that no longer stretch endlessly. Nations quietly stockpiling metals and minerals as if they’ve remembered something the markets forgot: real wealth comes from things you can’t print. When I look at the (BCOM), I see a sector that’s right at the point in every supercycle when disbelief starts to fade, curiosity creeps in, and conviction begins to build. To be…

Simple Path Financial (www.simplepathfinancial.com) is a California-based debt settlement company offering personal loans, debt consolidation, and other financial solutions to help consumers manage or eliminate unsecured debt. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Irvine, Califonia, the company has become a well-known name in the debt relief space — though it operates more as a lender and intermediary than a traditional debt settlement provider. Below is our full review and comparison with New Era Debt Solutions. #1 Rated Debt Relief Company in 2025? Before you take out another loan or sign up for consolidation, consider exploring New Era Debt Solutions — our…

Google announced on Monday that it’s starting to roll out Gemini to the Google TV Streamer, replacing Google Assistant. The tech giant says the change will enable users to use their voice more naturally to access content and more. For example, users can now ask something like, “I like dramas but my wife likes comedies. What’s a movie we can watch together?” when looking for movie recommendations. Or, users could quickly catch up on a show they’re returning to by asking something like, “What happened at the end of Outlander last season?” In another example, Google says users can even…

(World Oil) – Russia’s Lukoil PJSC declared force majeure on oil shipments from its giant West Qurna 2 field in Iraq, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The move is a sign that sanctions against Russia’s No. 2 oil producer are beginning to impact its international operations. The U.S. announced penalties against the firm last month as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to ramp up pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. Declaring force majeure gives Lukoil the right to skip contractual obligations, but it doesn’t automatically mean shipments from West Qurna 2 will halt.…

Key Takeaways Shares of health insurers tumbled after President Donald Trump called on Congress to change the way the federal government helps Americans pay for health insurance.A Washington think take estimated this year health insurers received $138 billion in federal payments. Centene (CNC), HCA Healthcare (HCA) and Molina Healthcare (MOH) are among the worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 Monday after President Donald Trump suggested federal health care money should circumvent insurers and go directly to people. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social over the weekend that he’s recommending the Senate and House change funding covered by…

Key Takeaways Maplebear, known as Instacart, beat profit and sales estimates as orders and spending on those orders increased.The grocery delivery company reported strong October demand, but gains may be tempered because of the loss of federal food benefits during the government shutdown. Maplebear (CART), better known as Instacart, posted better-than-expected results as shoppers placed more orders and spent more money on them. The grocery delivery provider reported third-quarter earnings per share of $0.51, a penny above what analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha were anticipating. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew 22% to $278 million, and…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump proposed sending $2,000 checks to low and middle-income Americans as a “dividend” from the import taxes he raised this year.The tariffs have not raised enough money to cover the estimated cost of those checks, according to one analysis. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the real dividend from the tariffs may be the tax cuts taking effect next year. You may wait to wait to spend President Donald Trump’s $2,000 tariff dividend until you have a check in hand. Trump proposed the new payments, to low- and middle-income Americans, in a weekend post on social media.…

Key Takeaways Memory chip maker Micron Technology was among the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 Monday afternoon, along with hard drive makers Western Digital and Seagate Technology.Mizuho analysts told clients in a note Monday that they see the outlook for Micron’s high-bandwidth memory chips remaining strong into next year and 2027. Memory and data storage stocks led the tech sector higher Monday amid optimism about growing AI-driven demand. Shares of memory chip maker Micron Technology (MU) were up 7% around $254 in recent trading, making it one of the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500, along with hard drive…

Average 401(k) Contributions, Balance, and Employer Contribution by Generation Average 401(k) Contribution Average Employer Contribution Average 401(k) Balance Baby Boomers 11.9%  5.0% $249,300 Gen X 10.2% 5.0% $192,300 Millennials  8.7% 4.6% $67,300 Gen Z  7.2% 3.7% $13,500 Source: Fidelity (as of December 31, 2024) According to Fidelity data representing nearly 25 million retirement plan participants, as of the end of 2024, the average employee 401(k) contribution across generations (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z) was high enough to earn all but the loftiest of employer matches. Baby Boomers saved the largest percentage of their income at 11.9%. Gen…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes rose Monday afternoon amid optimism Congress could soon agree on a spending plan to end the record U.S. government shutdown.Palantir Technologies shares surged, as the provider of software for government agencies stands to benefit from the end of the shutdown.Health insurance stocks dropped after President Trump suggested federal health insurance subsidies could go directly to Americans instead of insurers. Major U.S. equities indexes climbed Monday afternoon amid optimism Congress could soon agree on a spending plan to end the record U.S. government shutdown. The S&P 500 was up close to 1%, and the Nasdaq…