Author: Money Mechanics

Apple announced Tuesday that it had signed contracts for 650 megawatts of renewable power in Europe. This includes wind and solar projects that are either operational or will be soon. A large chunk of the power they’ll produce will go toward offsetting the energy use by Apple customers. Use of everything from Mac Pros to Apple Watches accounts for nearly one-third of the company’s carbon footprint. Even though Europe isn’t usually considered a sunny continent, Apple is buying energy from several solar farms, including 110 megawatts each in Greece and Latvia, 131 megawatts in Spain, and 40 megawatts in Poland.…

Key Takeaways The government shutdown that began Oct. 1 could easily continue into November, potentially becoming the longest in history.The shutdown affects 750,000 furloughed federal workers and 690,000 more who are working without pay.Workers will miss 1.8 million paychecks if the shutdown continues into November, by one estimate. As the government shutdown drags into its third week with no end in sight, furloughed federal workers are grappling with missed paychecks and in some cases, soul-searching about whether to continue working for the government.The outlook for ending the shutdown got a little bleaker this week after the White House said it…

(Oil Price) – The Norwegian government on Wednesday proposed to raise the spending from the country’s oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, in next year’s budget, according to the draft budget of the Labor party, which won a second term in office at the general elections last month. The Labor government of Jonas Gahr Støre will need support from its junior partners in the coalition to pass the bill in Parliament. The 2026 budget proposes to use $57.4 billion (579 billion Norwegian crowns) from the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), which is commonly referred to as ‘Norway’s oil fund’ because it…

Key Takeaways Investing in companies with strong performance and durable advantages can lead to positive financial outcomes.Cash reserves provide flexibility when markets stumble and investment opportunities arise.Focus on business performance, not short-term prices. Market volatility is unavoidable, but how you react to it determines your long-term results. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and longtime chair of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B), is one of the world’s most respected investors. He has spent decades sharing his financial words of wisdom, and offering perspective during periods of market volatility. His approach isn’t about complex strategies or fast trades but about discipline, patience,…

Key Takeaways Morgan Stanley equity strategist Michael Wilson says the surprise trade escalation could kick off “the first meaningful correction” in U.S. stocks since April.Healthcare stocks look like the “best hedge” for policy uncertainty, he wrote, while semiconductors, quantum computing and crowded stocks have the most downside risk. U.S.-China trade tensions are back—and things could get worse for investors before they get better, some on Wall Street say, with the possibility of a big pullback in stocks and a retreat in some hot sectors. Absent a near-term truce, according to analysts, the bull market that has chugged higher since April…

Key Takeaways Krispy Kreme has launched an international expansion strategy, starting with a new location in Madrid.The donut maker needs a win after two consecutive quarters of dismal earnings and as its stock trades near its all-time low. Krispy Kreme is hoping international customers have the sweet tooth that helps revive the donut chain’s fortunes. The maker of its eponymous donuts opened a shop in Madrid earlier this month and said Wednesday it plans to roll out two more in the Spanish city this year. It will open more than 50 new locations throughout the country over the next four…

The Open Enrollment Period for 2026 Medicare is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. As was the case last year, expect to find significant changes in the available plans and policies. Medicare beneficiaries should read the statement of changes they should have already received from their current plans. If they’re not happy, review the alternatives available during Open Enrollment. During Open Enrollment, beneficiaries may switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, from an Advantage plan to original Medicare or from original Medicare to an Advantage plan. Part D prescription drug policies also can be changed.Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies can be…

Keeping all your retirement savings in lower-risk vehicles like bonds, CDs, and cash accounts may feel like the “safe” option, but what happens 10 years into retirement when expenses rise and your monthly income doesn’t stretch as far as it used to? The last thing any retiree should have to worry about is outliving their money, yet that is the reality for many.  To help you allocate your retirement investments wisely, we asked advisors Thomas Kopelman, co-founder and financial planner at AllStreet Wealth, and Colin Overweg, CFP,  founder of Advize Wealth Management, for their answer to the question, “Can you…

Key Takeaways Major U.S. equities indexes climbed Wednesday afternoon in the wake of strong bank earnings and indications of more Federal Reserve rate cuts ahead.Semiconductor stocks surged, led by Advanced Micro Devices, a day after the chipmaker had announced a deal to sell chips to Oracle.Morgan Stanley and Bank of America shares climbed after the financial firms reported quarterly results that topped analysts’ expectations. Major U.S. equities indexes climbed Wednesday afternoon in the wake of strong bank earnings and indications of more Federal Reserve rate cuts ahead. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow were all higher. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices…

Key Takeaways Dating a manager can boost a subordinate’s pay, but a breakup can slash their earnings, a recent study found.The financial and career fallout lasts for years—employees were more likely to leave the workforce and less likely to make strategic job moves after a breakup.Workplace romances can also hurt team morale and retention, as coworkers may perceive favoritism when someone dates a manager. When the married CEO of Astronomer, a start-up, was spotted on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert with the Chief People Officer at his company earlier this year, the fallout from this public display of…