Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways Between students, faculty, and staff, college towns have a steady demand for rental properties, which can create reliable rental income. Owning property in the town where your student attends college can also lower the costs associated with college housing. But be aware: Owning property in a college town includes restrictions on tenant occupancy, property wear and tear, and the complexity of financing an investment property. In college and university towns around the country, each academic year brings a new wave of students, faculty, and staff, many of whom are looking for housing. This demand creates a unique and…

Thank you, David. I appreciate the opportunity to speak again at the Brookings Institution.1 It is always an honor for me to return to the place where I held my first job as an aspiring economist. I had the good fortune to be a research assistant for the eminent economist and public servant, including as Vice Chair of the Fed, Alice Rivlin early in my career. It was a formative, if not transformative, experience for me, and I remain grateful to her and Brookings for it. Today, I would like to speak to you about how I see the U.S.…

The recent rise in the US Dollar may seem linked to the , but it also signals a broader shift in global financial conditions. The Fed’s 25-basis-point cut at its last meeting, followed by its statement that this could be the final cut of the year, weakened market hopes for quick and continued easing. The cautious remarks from Chair Jerome and other Fed officials, who highlighted ongoing risks, suggest that further cuts may come later and at a slower pace than investors expected. This shift in tone has helped the regain strength in recent weeks. At the same time, the…

This Week In A Nutshell Rates have reset about 15-20 bps higher following last week’s Fed meeting. This week’s Fed speeches could help flesh out whether to expect another cut in December, but the key factor to watch is really whether there’s an end in sight for the government shutdown and the associated economic data blackout. Upcoming Attractions Economic data: Employment data: This is jobs week, normally capped by the all-important Friday jobs report on job creation and the unemployment rate, which will not be released as scheduled because the data was never collected in October. Also missing is the…

Key Takeaways Over the past 50 years, cities with expanding economies saw the fastest home value gains as people and jobs flocked in. High-paying jobs coupled with hurdles that limit homebuilding caused house prices to surge in California, Seattle, Boston, New York, and Denver.In Cleveland and Memphis, home values barely grew in 50 years. How U.S. Home Values Have Transformed Since the 1970s Realtor.com recently analyzed 50 years of housing data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The data shows home values unsurprisingly rose across all 50 of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas from 1975 to 2024. But what stood…

Value-Enhancing Scale Premier portfolio across the highest-return U.S. shale basins drives significant free cash flow and enhanced stockholder value Pro forma second quarter of 2025 production totaled 526 MBoe/d Pro forma full-year 2025 consensus free cash flow of more than $1.4 billion Step-change in free cash flow supports sustained return of capital Value-Driven Synergies Proven management and a world-class technical team positioned to deliver identified and achievable annual synergies of approximately $200 million with upside potential  Synergies create potential for accelerated debt repayment and improved through-cycle returns Value-Accretive Substance Significant accretion on key per share financial metrics, before synergies Free…

Key Takeaways Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive leaders said consumers are buying more high-end household staples, while sales of bargain brands cool.Both companies plan to navigate this environment by leaning into product innovations—upgrades that tend to accompany price increases. Some companies are struggling to sell basic household goods—but consumers are snatching up high-end toothpaste and hair-care products. Procter & Gamble (PG) is rolling out “innovations,” or upgrades, across its entire portfolio–from budget brands to high-end alternatives, and increasing prices as the company navigates tariffs and rising costs, CFO Andre Schulten said on a conference call last month. So far, the…

Key Takeaways Mortgage rates have climbed despite last week’s Federal Reserve rate cut—a reminder that the Fed doesn’t directly drive mortgage rates. Instead, mortgage costs are influenced by interrelated factors like inflation, the bond market, housing data, and economic trends. Predicting mortgage rates is nearly impossible, so if you’re ready to buy or refinance, make your move when the timing’s right for you. The full article continues below these offers from our partners. Today’s Mortgage Rate News We cover new purchase and refinance mortgage rates every business day. Find our latest rate reports here: The Fed Cut Its Benchmark Rate,…

Key Takeaways Palantir posted record third-quarter results that topped analysts’ estimates.The data analytics software maker raised its full-year revenue outlook for the third straight quarter. Palantir posted record quarterly results that blew past analysts’ estimates and raised its full-year revenue outlook for the third straight quarter. The AI software company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.21 cents on revenue that jumped 63% year-over-year to a record $1.18 billion in the third quarter, well above analysts’ estimates compiled by Visible Alpha, driven by strong demand for its Artificial Intelligence Platform.  While Palantir still derives more of its domestic business from…

Key Takeaways Palantir posted record third-quarter results that topped analysts’ estimates.The data analytics software maker raised its full-year revenue outlook for the third straight quarter. Palantir posted record quarterly results that blew past analysts’ estimates and raised its full-year revenue outlook for the third straight quarter. The AI software company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.21 cents on revenue that jumped 63% year-over-year to a record $1.18 billion in the third quarter, well above analysts’ estimates compiled by Visible Alpha, driven by strong demand for its Artificial Intelligence Platform.  While Palantir still derives more of its domestic business from…