Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways U.S. citizens can get Social Security while living abroad, while green card holders can only collect benefits for six consecutive months. Benefits are not paid in certain countries, including Cuba and North Korea. Apply before you leave the U.S. and ensure you receive direct deposit for seamless payments. You must complete a regular questionnaire and report any life changes to keep your benefits going. Don’t forget to consider the tax implications and exchange rates. Retiring abroad is a dream for many Americans. As many as one in six people ages 55 and older say they want to spend…

For married couples with unequal historical earnings, it may make sense for the lower income spouse to file for Social Security benefits early or before the higher earner. Ultimately, deciding when to start Social Security benefits is a complex analysis for couples.gettyWhen should you take Social Security? For married couples, deciding when to start Social Security benefits is a complex analysis. This isn’t just a need-based strategy either. After all, benefits are earned by paying into the system. For married couples with unequal historical earnings, it may make sense for the lower income spouse to file earlier. Here’s an overview…

Key Takeaways Deckers Outdoor shares took a hit Friday after executives said the Hoka maker expects consumers could pull back in the face of higher tariffs and prices. Its current-quarter outlook missed analysts’ estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Deckers Outdoor (DECK) shares plunged Friday after the shoe and apparel maker gave a weaker-than-expected outlook, saying it sees a pullback from consumers because of tariffs and rising prices. The stock was down nearly 14% in recent trading. It’s lost more than half its value since the year began. The company behind the Ugg and Hoka brands said it now anticipates full-year…

Key Takeaways General Motors and Ford shares have taken off after the car companies reported strong sales and said they’ll have an easier time adjusting to federal policy changes.Domestic car companies may benefit from less strict emissions rules and a more lax approach to tariffs on certain auto parts. America’s big car companies are firing on several cylinders.  General Motors (GM) and Ford (F), plus foreign-owned Stellantis (STLA), which owns the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, all reported a healthy uptick in domestic vehicle sales in the latest quarter. They’re also having an easier time than expected navigating federal policy:…

By Leika Kihara (Reuters) -Asia may see its resilience to U.S. tariffs challenged if a rally in the dollar and a rebound in low interest rates lead to tighter financial conditions, a senior International Monetary Fund official told Reuters. If the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to cut interest rates, a subsequent dollar decline could allow Asian central banks to loosen monetary policy and support their economies without worrying about the risk of capital outflows, said Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department. Low interest rates and declining long-term yields have also helped Asian governments and companies borrow…

Gold miners’ stocks were just slammed sharply lower as high-flying started wobbling. Gold stocks’ great leverage to gold is a double-edged sword, amplifying rallies and selloffs alike. These serious blows suffered by gold stocks have given traders pause, leaving them wondering if this was a temporary blip or harbinger of a much-bigger drawdown. As always, gold stocks’ near-term fortunes depend on their metal’s. Late last week, the leading gold-stock ETF soared to another dazzling all-time-record-high close of $84.44. GDX had skyrocketed an epic 149.0% year-to-date on a parallel massive 64.5% gold surge! That’s wonderful to see, a magnificent reversal from…

Covéa Group, the French mutual insurer, has now lifted the target size for its new Hexagon IV Re Ltd. (Series 2025-1) catastrophe bond issuance to €250 million in fully-collateralized reinsurance protection, while at the same time the price guidance for each of the two tranches of notes on offer has been lowered for a second time, Artemis has learned.Covéa Group came back into the catastrophe bond market earlier this month, looking to sponsor what will become its fifth cat bond deal and targeting expanded coverage in both occurrence and aggregate formats. Covéa is seeking to expand its capital markets backed…

The September 2025 Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) report indicates that inflation increased by 0.3% for the month, down from 0.4% in August. These data were released at 8:30 am EST on October 24, 2025, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Before seasonal adjustment, the year-over-year (Y-o-Y) inflation rate in the all-items index grew by 3.0%, up from 2.9% in August. The results missed economists’ consensus estimates. The table below is courtesy of Investing.com. The left column represents September’s figures, while the right column represents forecasters’ expectations. As you can see, the red metrics highlight how inflation…

A shopper at a grocery store in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2025.Kyle Grillot | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday released its much-anticipated consumer price index report, delayed a week and a half because of the government shutdown.Here are the five most important takeaways:While inflation is still running well ahead of the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal, it’s showing no signs of runaway and in fact is easing, at least a bit, in some key areas. The headline gain of 0.3% monthly and 3% annually both were slightly below consensus forecasts. Same for core CPI excluding food…

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET key takeawaysEdge’s Copilot Mode adds real AI utility to everyday browsing.I tested it to see if it makes comparing products and research easier. Copilot automated the process, all the way to checkout. Here’s how.After using ChatGPT’s new AI browser, Atlas, to literally do my Walmart shopping for me this week, I started wondering how other AI browsers compare. Microsoft, for example, just rolled out a massive AI update for its Edge browser.With Copilot Mode, Edge can act on whatever’s on your screen, compare multiple tabs, remember…