Author: Money Mechanics

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Life & Arts myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.Harasumento Daizen sells itself as a complete compendium of school, home and workplace misery. Jaunty in presentation, but serious in tone, it is an almanac of affliction. A Baedeker of beastliness. It is also missing an entry. The title translates roughly as The Encyclopedia of Harassment and, with the help of catchy wordplay, real-world examples and manga illustrations of the problem, is forensic in its analysis. The book is Japanese, but, with some exceptions, its observations could have been made anywhere.…

Prepaid phone plans have become a popular alternative to traditional contract plans, especially among budget-conscious consumers. These plans offer flexibility, fewer long-term commitments and more control over spending.With a prepaid plan, customers pay for service in advance, which can help avoid surprise charges or hidden fees. There’s also peace of mind knowing you can typically cancel at any time without facing penalties or early termination fees.For many, this structure offers a simpler and more predictable way to manage cell phone costs. And with major carriers like Verizon now offering prepaid options that use the same reliable network as their contract…

Key Takeaways Buffett and Munger used financial data but prioritized understanding the actual business—its competitive advantages, management quality, and long-term prospects. They invested as if buying entire companies forever, not just trading stocks for short-term price moves or quarterly earnings. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger built Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) into a massive empire by prioritizing a qualitative understanding of a business over complex financial modeling. While they certainly used financial ratios and other analytical tools, they didn’t let spreadsheets drive their investment decisions. Instead, these legendary investors focused on something many overlook: Deeply understanding how businesses actually work. This…

Key Takeaways If enhanced premium tax credits expire, Americans could see their Marketplace health insurance (Obamacare) premiums jump by thousands of dollars in 2026. Middle-income early retirees who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare are especially vulnerable, as they often rely on Marketplace plans and already face higher age-based premiums. A 60-year-old earning $62,700 a year—which is just above the threshold for subsidy eligibility if the enhancements are not extended—would pay nearly $9,600 more annually. A 64-year-old with that income would pay roughly $11,000 more annually. With open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace starting on…

As markets await the September (CPI) report, set for release Friday at 8:30 AM ET, investors and policymakers face a particularly complex backdrop with the ongoing government shutdown creating additional uncertainty around economic data interpretation and Federal Reserve policy implications. Delayed from its original October 15 date, the September CPI reading will provide crucial insights into the trajectory of price pressures and could significantly influence the Fed’s approach to monetary policy at its upcoming October 28-29 meeting. The government shutdown, now in its fourth week, has furloughed thousands of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employees and halted most data collections,…

BLS Commentary:CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – SEPTEMBER 2025The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, after rising 0.4 percent in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.0 percent before seasonal adjustment. Note that September CPI data collection was completed before the lapse in appropriations. The index for gasoline rose 4.1 percent in September and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase, as the index for energy rose 1.5 percent over the month. The food…

John Nitti has left his position as X’s advertising chief after just ten months, reports the Financial Times. Nitti, who joined as global head of revenue operations and advertising innovation, was considered a potential successor to former CEO Linda Yaccarino, who resigned in July. His exit adds to a string of high-level departures from Elon Musk’s increasingly turbulent executive suite. Among others, X’s CFO Mahmoud Reza Banki left in October after less than a year, while xAI’s CFO and general counsel both departed over the summer. The revolving door reportedly reflects deeper tensions. Sources tell the FT that execs have…

(Oil Price)– Italy’s energy giant Eni (NYSE: E) raised its outlook on cash flow generation for 2025 and increased full-year planned buybacks by 20% after posting consensus-beating earnings for the third quarter. Eni on Friday reported an adjusted net profit of $1.4 billion (1.2 billion euros) for the third quarter of the year, in one of the first quarterly releases from oil and gas majors this earnings season. The profit beat an analyst consensus estimate of $1.18 billion (1.02 billion euros) provided by the company. Despite lower oil prices, Eni booked solid earnings and cash flow from operations (CFFO) as its oil…

Key Takeaways U.S. stores sold some $4.5 trillion in drinks and beverage packaged as a way to help with hydration over the past year, according to NielsenIQ, a market research firm.Brands are introducing a bevy of powders, tablets and elixirs that promise to help with everything from stress management to gut health. There are more ways to quench your thirst than ever—but that’s not all they do. There’s DryWater, a powder with 34 vitamins, minerals and other ingredients. Melt Water beverages are made by simulating the formation and thawing of glaciers. Dozens of electrolyte, prebiotic and probiotic products have hit the…

Key Takeaways The Consumer Price Index rose less than expected in September, leaving the Fed on track to cut interest rates.Fed officials had held their key interest rate high this year to subdue inflation, but the Fed has decided to cut interest rates to boost the job market. It would have taken a surprising surge of inflation in September to deter the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates in October—and that didn’t happen.The Consumer Price Index rose 3% over the year in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. While that was the highest annual inflation rate since January,…