Author: Money Mechanics

Yuichiro Chino/Moment via GettyFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET’s key takeawaysWith a bit of effort, you can elevate Linux’s desktop efficiency.These tips won’t cost you a penny and the results can be game-changing.You won’t have to be a Linux specialist to use these tips.I’ve worked with nearly every operating system currently on the market (and some no longer with us). Of all those operating systems, one stands way above the others in the category of efficiency. Don’t get me wrong, every OS excels in something, but with Linux, you can make it excel at just about everything. When I…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett’s 19.9% annual returns over 60 years show how buy-and-hold investing amplifies compounding through tax deferral. The Oracle of Omaha learned tax efficiency lessons from the Li’l Abner comic strip character’s quest to double his money 20 times. Berkshire Hathaway’s $681 billion after-tax gains versus $22,370 from frequent trading illustrate the massive cost of “tax drag.” Warren Buffett’s $26.8 billion tax payment in 2024—the largest corporate tax bill in U.S. history—represents roughly 5% of all federal corporate income taxes collected last year. But before becoming America’s biggest taxpayer, Buffett learned one of his most valuable lessons from…

(World Oil)– EnerMech has won a significant contract to provide subsea pre-commissioning and specialist services for a major offshore gas development in Australia’s East Browse basin. The work will support the second phase of the project’s installation campaign, scheduled between October 2025 and April 2026. The contract scope includes riser and umbilical services such as flooding, top-up, and leak testing of flexible risers, along with post-loadout and post-installation testing of dynamic umbilicals. Offshore activity will center on a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, with supporting work carried out across sites in Malaysia and Australia. “This is a significant gas…

Executive Summary Large and small caps reached new all-time highs in Q3Cyclical sectors reach new relative highs versus defensiveGold is having its best annual performance since 1979S&P 500 corporate earnings are forecasted to grow 7.9% YoY in Q3All 11 large- and small-cap sectors are positive YTDStocks and bonds gain during government shutdowns in last 30 years “Every bull market climbs its own wall of worries” is an old Wall Street adage that may never be more apropos than what we are witnessing this year. The list of market concerns in 2025 has been extensive, and growing, starting with tariffs and trade wars, rising geopolitical…

Key Takeaways Apple is accelerating its focus on the development of smart glasses as it looks to compete with Meta Platform’s Ray-Ban Display, Bloomberg reported.Apple has some time, given that the Display can strain the eyes and is not yet suitable for everyday use, Oppenheimer analysts said. Tech giants want more face time with us. Literally. Apple (AAPL) is racing to release smart glasses that rival those of Meta Platforms (META) and gain ground in a device category that they see becoming a vital AI access point. The company last week froze work on its latest headset to free up…

Key Takeaways SoFi Technology said it is adding new options products for its customers, with zero commissions and no contract fees.The company said it made the move in response to demand for more offerings. SoFi Technology (SOFI) wants to make it easier to trade options for its customers. The digital financial services provider said Thursday it has started rolling out so-called “level 1” options—which are designed for beginners—for its SoFi Invest members, including covered calls and cash-secured puts, in addition to the level 2 strategies already available. The new offerings come with no commissions or contract fees, and SoFi said…

Key Takeaways Several states—including Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and New York, and New Jersey—are sending money to residents in 2025. The reasons vary.Alaska residents can receive money every year through the state’s Permanent Fund.Colorado and New York are providing sales refund checks to residents.Virginia and Georgia are sending tax rebates based on tax liabilities from previous years. Who doesn’t love getting some extra cash? This year, in some states, residents will receive checks or direct deposits from their state government for everything from refunds for inflation, dividends for revenue generated from oil royalties, and tax rebates. Here’s who qualifies. Alaska Established…

CEO Shannon Spotswood.Courtesy of RFG Advisors Firm: RFG Advisory Name: Shannon Spotswood Location: Vestavia Hills, AL Team Custodied Assets: $5.8 billion Background: Shannon Spotswood grew up in Seattle after being born in Nashville and knew from an early age she wanted a career on Wall Street. By the time she was 14, she had asked her parents for a subscription to The Wall Street Journal. After double-majoring in economics and political science at the University of Arizona, she moved to San Francisco to pursue finance. Her early roles included investment banking at Volpe Brown Whelan, where she worked on the…

Key Takeaways Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang says electricians, plumbers, and carpenters will be needed to build AI infrastructure, predicting a sustained boom in the skilled trades. Other prominent CEOs have warned of looming shortages in skilled trades, particularly the electricians needed for data center construction. Yale Budget Lab data shows no significant artificial intelligence-driven labor market disruption 33 months after ChatGPT’s launch. Workers are increasingly worried that an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cost-cutting wave could threaten their jobs. And Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang isn’t offering much comfort. In a recent interview with Channel 4 News in the U.K., he…

Key Takeaways Shares of credit score Fair Isaac soared on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, as it said it would provide data more directly to lenders. Shares of competing credit bureaus lost ground.An increase in cryptocurrency prices helped lift shares of crypto exchange operator Coinbase.Shares of Occidental Petroleum fell as the company confirmed a deal to sell part of its business to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Shares of a data analytics firm took off after the company said it would provide its consumer credit scores directly to firms that give credit reports to mortgage lenders. The move pressured the credit bureaus…