Author: Money Mechanics

Maria Diaz/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.Virtual assistants will soon be as commonplace as smartphones — in many parts of the world, they already are. Most smartphones have a built-in assistant powered by artificial intelligence (AI), whether it’s Siri in iPhones or Google Assistant (now Gemini) in Android phones. Inside our homes, though, Amazon Alexa has become the most popular virtual assistant in the US and even around the world. Users from various countries outside the US keep Echo devices in their homes with Alexa set to different languages, becoming a widely adopted virtual assistant.Also: Amazon fall hardware event…

Americans drank roughly 870 million gallons of wine in 2024. Whether or not you contributed your fair share, you can harness that passion for the drink to help power your investment portfolio. If you’re a high-net-worth investor looking to diversify into this unique alternative investment, here are five steps you can take to get started. Key Takeaways Wine has historically provided strong long-term returns and relatively low volatility, making it an attractive diversification play. Investing in wine requires a strong understanding of the market and its unique risks, including liquidity challenges and storage requirements.  Investment platforms, wine funds, and vineyard…

Key Takeaways Coca-Cola shares rose Tuesday after the company posted better-than-expected quarterly profits. The company plans to sell a majority stake in the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa.The stock’s climb extends an upward move that started late last month and has the shares within view of 2025 highs and Wall Street’s consensus target. There’s some fizz in Coca-Cola today. Shares of Coca-Cola (KO) were recently up more than 3% after the beverage giant posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter profit. The shares rose even through revenue came up slightly short in what CEO James Quincey called a “challenging” environment. The Atlanta-based company reported…

GE Aerospace (GE) stock rose to a record high on Tuesday after the jet engine maker beat earnings estimates and raised its full-year outlook, underscoring strong demand for commercial and military aviation. GE on Tuesday reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.66 per share, a 44% increase from the same quarter last year. Revenue rose 24% to $12.2 billion. Wall Street analysts were forecasting EPS of $1.47 on total revenue of $10.9 billion, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha.  Shares of GE Aerospace popped nearly 5% to trade at $316.53, an all-time high, early Tuesday before paring some gains. The…

Key Takeaways The average year-end HSA balance in 2023 was $5,674 for those aged 45 to 54 and $8,339 for those aged 55 to 64, according to EBRI data released this year. Older accountholders likely have higher health savings account balances and make larger contributions because they earn more and have had more time to grow their savings. This group also takes larger withdrawals on average, reflecting greater health care spending needs than younger accountholders who are typically healthier. Health savings accounts (HSAs) can offer huge benefits because of their triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, money grows tax-deferred, and…

Key Takeaways General Motors stock took off Tuesday morning as the car manufacturer adjusted to tariffs more quickly than anticipated, Citi analysts said.Investors didn’t seem put off by a $1.6 billion charge tied to GM reevaluating its electric vehicle strategy in response to regulation changes. General Motors shares are racing higher. Progress dealing with tariffs is helping. The Detroit-based auto manufacturer says it’s investing $5 billion in scaling up domestic production of engines and 2 million vehicles per year—a move that seems safer thanks to the extension of a policy that offers some relief to U.S. companies with operations in…

Key Takeaways Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Air France turn flying into a luxury experience, with private suites, gourmet dining, and attentive service.Boutique option La Compagnie and select U.S. carriers also offer lie-flat seats, high-end food, and premium amenities.With smart use of loyalty points, upgrades, and deals, you can enjoy premium travel without paying first-class prices. If you’re looking to fly in style and can afford it, a few airlines truly rise to the pinnacle of elegance and exquisite comfort. Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Air France La Première are the big names in unmatched luxury experiences. There’s…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes were mostly higher at midday Tuesday, after a flurry of corporate earnings reports.General Motors shares surged after the automaker reported better-than-expected earnings and boosted its outlook.Gold mining firm Newmont’s stock dropped along with the price of the precious metal. Major U.S. equities indexes were mostly higher at midday Tuesday, after a flurry of corporate earnings reports. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average and benchmark S&P 500 rose, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq wavered between gains and losses. General Motors (GM) shares soared to pace the S&P 500 after the automaker reported better-than-expected third-quarter results and boosted its 2025 outlook. Shares…

Key Takeaways Even if you have a high income, you might be poorer than you think if you have a low net worth, significant debt, no retirement savings, or live paycheck to paycheck.In 2024, the average American consumer was carrying $105,056 in consumer debt, and 20% of households earning over $150,000 per year lived paycheck to paycheck.Opening retirement accounts, reducing inflated spending, and paying down debt can help build true wealth, beyond just earning a high income. In the United States, the middle class covers a wide income bracket. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that a middle class…

Key Takeaways Warner Bros. Discovery is evaluating options “in light of unsolicited interest the company has received from multiple parties,” the entertainment company said.Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery are up in Tuesday trading and have gained 90% for the year. Warner Bros. Discovery may be setting the stage for its next act. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) soared more than 10% Tuesday, putting them among the leading Nasdaq advancers, after the media and entertainment giant said it was initiating a strategic review amid interest from multiple suitors. Warner Bros. Discovery said its board had “initiated a review of strategic…