Author: Money Mechanics

(Oil Price) – Chevron plans to grow its free cash flow into the next decade as it focuses on higher profits and returns to shareholders instead of growing oil and production, the U.S. supermajor’s five-year plan to 2030 showed on Wednesday. Chevron will raise output, but its primary focus will be on boosting free cash flow and earnings per share via deeper cost cuts, synergies from the Hess acquisition, and reduced capital expenditure (capex). “Chevron expects to maintain capital and cost discipline while investing to extend cash flow growth into the next decade,” the second-biggest U.S. oil and gas firm said today. The…

Key Takeaways The AI rally has stumbled in recent weeks as investors have questioned whether big tech’s massive AI investments are inflating an AI bubble.Some investors argue tech giants are spending too much, too fast on a technology that is unlikely to generate a healthy return on investment anytime soon. AI bulls argue bubble concerns are overblown. Nvidia is slated to report quarterly results next Wednesday. It could be a make-or-break moment for the bull market.  Anxiety about AI is running high on Wall Street heading into Nvidia’s (NVDA) print. AI stocks weighed on the broader market last week, when…

Eric Payne (left) and Ron Mencias (right).Courtesy of Payne & Mencias Group Team Name: Payne & Mencias Group Firm: Merrill Wealth Management Senior Members: Eric Payne, Ron Mencias Location: Indianapolis, IN Team Custodied Assets: $3.2 billion Background: Eric Payne and Ron Mencias met as young CPAs at Ernst & Young in 1997. Payne, a Butler University graduate and CPA, joined Merrill in 1999. Mencias—born and raised in Indianapolis and Notre Dame tennis alum—left EY in 1999 for PaineWebber’s training program, earned his MBA at night from Butler University, then teamed up with Payne at Merrill in 2002. Today the Payne…

KEY TAKEAWAYS A proposed bill would increase Social Security benefits by an extra $200 for the first six months of 2026.Lawmakers say this tax-free boost would help beneficiaries afford rising costs for essential expenses, such as medication and groceries. Your Social Security check could be a couple of hundred dollars bigger in the first half of 2026, if a proposed Congressional bill passes. Several Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill to the Senate at the end of October that would raise monthly Social Security payments by $200 starting in January and ending on June 30. They say these additional benefits would help…

Key Takeaways If your rent increases, you may think buying is the way to save, but interest rates and housing costs are critical factors.Staying in one place for at least five to seven years often makes homeownership more advantageous.If both renting and buying feel unaffordable, strategies like shared housing, relocating, or negotiating your salary can help. With average rent prices climbing nearly 28% over the past five years, many renters across the country are wondering if homeownership might be the smarter financial move. The answer isn’t exactly straightforward, according to Kirk Reagan, owner of High Flight Financial. “There are too…

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldThe Federal Trade Commission is probing proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis for possible antitrust violations over how they influence shareholder votes, said people briefed on the matter.The move comes as US President Donald Trump was considering an executive order to curb the power of the two proxy advisers as well as that of asset managers with big passive investing businesses such as BlackRock and Vanguard, which control vast stakes across corporate America, these people said.Trump had…

October CPI and Jobs Data Likely Never to Be Released – Extremely Explosive for Precious Metals A seismic shift is unfolding in the global financial landscape. The U.S. government’s data blackout—triggered by the prolonged shutdown—has left both October CPI () and  in limbo, with senior officials confirming that these critical releases may never see daylight. For the first time in modern history, the markets are flying blind on both inflation and employment. The implications are staggering. Monetary policy, risk models, and algorithmic strategies that depend on these metrics are suddenly data-deficient, and that vacuum of truth is lighting a fuse…

Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said Wednesday he will be leaving his position when his term expires in February.Bostic has been in his current role since June 2017 and is the first Black and openly gay regional president. His term, which also was marked by issues relating to personal investments he made, runs until Feb. 28.”I’m proud of what we accomplished during my tenure to turn the lofty goal of an economy that works for everyone into more of a reality, and I look forward to discovering new ways to advance that bold vision in my next chapter,” Bostic…

As generative AI content starts to fill our social apps, a project to bring back Vine’s six-second looping videos is launching with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s backing. On Thursday, a new app called diVine will give access to more than 100,000 archived Vine videos, restored from an older backup that was created before Vine’s shutdown. The app won’t just exist as a walk down memory lane; it will also allow users to create profiles and upload their own new Vine videos. However, unlike on traditional social media, where AI content is often haphazardly labeled, diVine will flag suspected generative AI…

Key Takeaways Adams County’s low cost of living stretches retirement savings further than Florida.Affordable home prices and rentals make housing highly budget-friendly.Healthcare access is decent locally, with specialized care a short drive away.Rich culture, history, and natural beauty add lifestyle value.Mississippi’s retiree-friendly tax policies keep more money in your pocket. When you picture retirement, the warm, sandy Florida beaches may come to mind first. But rising costs in the Sunshine State are pushing many retirees to explore alternatives—such as Adams County, Mississippi. Located along the Mississippi River and anchored by historic Natchez, the county offers affordability that can stretch savings…