Author: Money Mechanics

(Oil Price) – The world’s electricity demand is expected to surge by 30% over the next decade as data centers, electric vehicles, and demand for heating and cooling drive increased consumption, a new report by Rystad Energy says. Renewable power generation, especially solar energy, is expected to be crucial to meeting the electricity demand growth, found the report cited by Bloomberg. Renewable energy is forecast to provide 55% of all electricity globally by 2035, raising its share from 34% today, according to the energy intelligence company. Surging power demand in both developed and emerging economies accelerated global energy demand growth in 2024…

Key Takeaways Apple’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings topped analysts’ estimates, as its services revenue climbed to a record high.Growth in Apple’s iPhone sales also helped drive the better-than-expected results, after the company launched its iPhone 17 lineup in September.CEO Tim Cook said that could mean a record holiday season ahead for Apple. Apple is on a record-setting streak. Shares of Apple (AAPL) were up more than 3% in extended trading Thursday, topping their recent highs after the iPhone maker posted earnings that exceeded analysts’ estimates and CEO Tim Cook gave an upbeat outlook for the holiday season. Apple reported fiscal fourth-quarter…

SoFi Checking & Savings Account Key Features APY Range 0.50%–3.80% Requirement for Highest APY Direct deposit or $5k or more in qualifying deposits Minimum Deposit $0 Withdrawal Limit None Monthly Service Fee None SoFi’s savings account must be opened along with a SoFi checking account. You can’t have a SoFi savings account on its own or a SoFi checking account on its own. The checking account earns a modest APY as well. To qualify for the highest APY on your SoFi savings account balance, you’ll need to receive direct deposits from an employer, payroll provider, or benefits provider via ACH…

Key Takeaways The U.S. and China reached a preliminary trade deal Thursday, lowering U.S. tariffs in exchange for access to China’s rare earth minerals and striking agreements on several other issues.The deal represents a truce in the ongoing trade war between the two countries, but leaves many issues unresolved. The agreement reached between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, de-escalates the trade war between the two countries, but leaves open the possibility that it could flare up again.The deal amounted to a one-year truce between the world’s two largest economies, Trump told reporters on Air Force One…

Earnings were the main driver of price action on Thursday, as market participants parsed quarterly results from some of Wall Street’s largest companies. A highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sparked plenty of chatter, too.Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META, -11.3%) and tech giant Microsoft (MSFT, -2.9%) made two of the most notable post-earnings moves today. Both Magnificent 7 stocks ended sharply lower as spending concerns overshadowed quarterly beats.Meta, for one, reported higher-than-expected third-quarter earnings and revenue and strong fourth-quarter guidance. It also raised the lower end of its full-year expense forecast by $2 billion,…

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Trump administration has released its final rule, which will restrict workers from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if the organization they work for is deemed to be engaging in “illegal” activities.Advocates have criticized the rule, saying it politicizes the PSLF program and could hurt workers at organizations that support immigrant families, medical care for transgender youth, or diversity in the workplace. President Donald Trump’s administration has finalized a rule that would change which nonprofit and public workers can receive student loan forgiveness. The Department of Education released its final rule on Thursday morning, which will restrict…

Key Takeaways Starbucks’ same-store sales recently turned positive after six straight quarters of declines, which CEO Brian Niccol says shows the company’s comeback plan is working.The company aims to win back customers by serving them quickly and making cafes a calmer, more inviting place to spend time. Starbucks is back in consumers’ daily grind. The company’s year-long turnaround campaign is gaining ground, executives said on a conference call Wednesday. Same-store sales started to grow on a year-over-year basis in the fiscal fourth quarter after a year-and-a-half of declines. Business improved among Starbucks Rewards members and less-frequent visitors, showing the Back…

Key Takeaways: Job crafting is a term coined in 2001 that explains how employees can make small tweaks in their day-to-day duties in order to maximize their happiness and achievement in the workplace. The dual-growth mindset builds upon the idea of job crafting, arguing that those who couple job crafting with a self-growth mindset find even greater levels of satisfaction. In the era of remote work, the dual-growth mindset has become even more accessible for office workers. In the era of “lazy girl jobs” and “quiet quitting”, finding a way to feel empowered at work feels almost impossible. But researchers…

Key Takeaways Side hustles are getting more popular because they help people make extra money and fit easily around their busy schedules.With ChatGPT, people can make some extra income without advanced skills or significant investment.ChatGPT opens the door to a wide range of beginner-friendly income opportunities, including tutoring, virtual assistance, content writing, and social media management. Working a side hustle to earn extra income has never been more common and accessible than it is now. As the cost of living continues to rise, more people are turning to tools like ChatGPT to work smarter, streamline everyday tasks, and generate extra…

Here’s a look at how today’s high-yield savings account rates stack up. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in late 2024, and it recently announced its first rate cut of 2025 which means deposit rates are on the decline. It’s more important than ever to ensure you’re earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher. Not sure where to find the best savings interest rates today? Read on to…