Author: Money Mechanics

Key Takeaways McDonald’s saw a surge in traffic from high-income Americans, while sales to low-income households continued to trail off, CEO Christopher Kempczinski said.The company will continue to lean into value, which Kempczinski says appeals to people across the economic spectrum. McDonald’s is becoming a stomping ground for the well-to-do. The burger chain’s emphasis on inexpensive meals has attracted more high-income Americans, the company said, though it hasn’t stemmed a two-year slide in traffic from low-income consumers. Traffic among high-earners increased by nearly double digits last quarter, while visits from low-income households fell by a similar amount, CEO Christopher Kempczinski…

Key Takeaways Officials at the Federal Reserve are missing critical data during the government shutdown, relying instead on reports from private companies.There are indications that hiring continued to slow since the government’s most recent report in August.Private-sector inflation data was mixed, with one index rising to a two-year high and another showing prices falling. While the government’s statistical agencies aren’t publishing crucial data during the ongoing shutdown, Federal Reserve officials are closely watching private-sector data to shine a light on economic trends.The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other agencies is considered the “gold standard” by economists and…

Key Takeaways Warren Buffett focuses on buying quality businesses at reasonable prices, not flashy companies or market trends. Long-term thinking beats market timing—he holds his best investments “forever” and is famously patient before buying a company’s shares. Buffett didn’t get rich chasing the next big thing. He built a trillion-dollar empire by doing almost the exact opposite—waiting patiently, buying stocks with low prices but greater value, and letting time do the heavy lifting. It sounds simple, but it’s earned him returns that have made him legendary on both Wall Street and Main Street. Since taking control of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.…

Your portfolio could be more vulnerable than the market’s march upward this year might make it look. Investors are piling into stocks despite relatively high interest rates, a slowing economy, and concerns over the potential for an AI bubble. Wall Street calls it the “run it hot” trade, and it’s pushing the S&P 500 index, a broad measure of the stock market, to record highs. If the market is going pedal to the metal, what’s not to like? If inflation ticks back up or corporate earnings stumble, your 401(k) could take a hit before you have time to react. Here’s…

Please enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser or access the information through the links provided below. November 05, 2025 Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to its supervisory rating framework for large bank holding companies For release at 5:00 p.m. EST The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday finalized changes to its supervisory rating framework for large bank holding companies. The finalized framework is substantially similar to the proposal issued in July. The revisions contained in the finalized framework more accurately reflect the strength of individual banks and better align the…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Pfizer has matched Novo Nordisk’s offer to buy weight-loss drug start-up Metsera for up to $10bn, in the latest escalation of a dramatic bidding war over the coveted US biotech. The US drugmaker submitted its sweetened bid, which matches Novo’s offer from Tuesday valuing Metsera at $86.20 a share, ahead of a deadline on Wednesday, keeping it in the race for the anti-obesity biotech, according to two people familiar with the matter.Pfizer’s latest bid would be largely in upfront cash alongside further…

The Memphis housing market shifted further into buyer-favorable territory this week, with 45.2% of active listings taking price reductions while homes sat on the market for a median of 84 days. The metro’s 4,455 active single-family listings represent a 17.6% increase from the same period last year, creating the region’s strongest negotiating position for buyers in recent memory. Price adjustments dominated the Memphis market landscape, with nearly half of all sellers reducing their asking prices compared to just 1.5% who raised prices. The median list price settled at $335,000, down from $345,000 a year ago, while the price per square…

Key Takeaways A hard disk drive maker’s stock traded higher on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, while softer-than-expected financial results weighed on shares of an AI server manufacturer.Seagate Technology announced a deal with its lenders to exchange debt for cash and stock, and shares of the data storage company advanced.Super Micro Computer shares dropped after the company missed analysts’ estimates for its fiscal first quarter. Shares of a data storage provider pushed higher after the company announced a deal to exchange debt for cash and shares. Meanwhile, an artificial intelligence (AI) server maker came under pressure after posting lackluster earnings results.…

Key Takeaways The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a lawsuit seeking to overturn many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.The justices expressed skepticism about the administration’s legal justification for imposing the tariffs, but the outcome was far from certain.A ruling against the tariffs would force the administration to impose import taxes by other means, which have significant limitations. The fate of President Donald Trump’s trade war is now up to the nine justices of the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s authority to impose double-digit tariffs on U.S. trading…

Key Takeaways At 36 days, the U.S. government shutdown is now the longest in history, and many don’t see an end coming soon despite some fresh proposals from lawmakers.While the current shutdown centers around health care funding, past disputes have involved funding for a border wall and efforts to balance the federal budget. The government has never been closed this long. And there’s little indication that it will reopen anytime soon. As of Wednesday, the work stoppage that began on Oct. 1 has reached its 36th day, making it the longest of any U.S. shutdown. The 2018 shutdown was the…