Key Points The Federal Reserve met in mid-June to determine whether to cut interest rates. Fed officials held rates steady and expressed concerns that tariffs would lead to more inflation. Retirees could see their Social Security COLA adjustment increase due to rising inflation. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match…
Well-known personal finance expert (and YouTube personality) Dave Ramsey can be what many individuals would call a controversial figure. His decades of experience in counseling individuals and families on their personal finance has provided those who follow his channel with plenty of advice to parse through. Key Points Dave Ramsey can certainly be considered one…
Key Points It’s the insiders that know their company the best. And if they’re willing to put their money where their mouths are, you may want to pay attention to why. Nike director Robert Swan Holmes picked up $502,756 worth of the beaten-down athletic footwear stock. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free…
Key Points These two countries have long been contentious military powers in the Middle East, with each building up impressive arsenals of aircraft and other assets Recent hostilities between Israel and Iran have reached all-time highs with air strikes and missile campaigns currently ongoing Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can…
After hitting an all-time high of $525.15 in February, AppLovin Corp.’s (NASDAQ: APP) share price tumbled more than 35% due to a pending class action lawsuit and to short seller reports. However, the software company’s better-than-expected first-quarter report gave the stock a boost last month. The share price is now 6.3% higher than at the…
The Empire Strikes Out: Institutionalists Failed To Kill The Stablecoin Bill Authored by Zachary Kelman via CoinTelegraph.com, In 2021, Crypto-America was in the doldrums. Senator Elizabeth Warren and her loyal SEC enforcer, Gary Gensler, unleashed a blitzkrieg against crypto, bombarding platforms with lawsuits and pushing legislation so heavy-handed that many feared it would cripple America’s…
When it comes to earning points for travel, there is no question that travel credit cards are enjoying a moment in the spotlight. While cash-back cards might still be the more popular option, it goes without saying that the prospect of a free flight or hotel room is appealing to millions of cardholders. Key Points…
Futures Rise Ahead Of Record $5.9 Trillion Triple-Witching OpEx US equity futures are higher with small caps leading after the White House appeared to dial back speculation that Washington was on the verge of joining Israel’s strikes on Iran, while Reuters reported that Iran is ready to discuss limitations on its Uranium enrichment (if not going…
SoFi Technologies Inc.’s (NASDAQ: SOFI) chief executive officer recently stated at a conference that the fintech company has targeted 30% member growth and 20% revenue growth. The share price is 3.1% higher than it was a week ago. Although the stock had a strong start to 2025, at last check, the share price was still…
One of the only downsides to passive income from stocks and bonds is that the revenue generated from those investments is subject to federal and state income tax. The significant advantage of owning municipal bonds is that the interest from municipal bonds is usually exempt from federal taxes and sometimes from state and local taxes….
Oil Prices Extend Losses As Iran Rejects Zero Enrichment As Condition For US Talks A series of headlines, some contradictory, on where things stand with Iran nuclear negotiations with the US, sent oil sliding, then pumping, then extending losses again. One senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is ‘ready’ to discuss limitations on its…
Smart Car was once a hit in the U.S. market with its compact Fortwo tiny car, but sales quickly plummeted, forcing the brand to exit the U.S. market back in 2019. However, the brand continues to be successful in Mexico, Europe, and China. It operates under both Mercedes Benz and Geely. Now, the car industry…
Financial advice comes in all flavors, and finding the wisdom that resonates with you may be tricky. However, the practical words of Dave Ramsey are held in high regard. With record-breaking debt burdening many Americans and new home prices over $400,000, Ramsey’s expert advice comes at an excellent time. Making smart money choices can save…
Under normal circumstances, it’s safe to say that an inheritance can be a welcome gift that alleviates a significant portion of a person’s financial burden. On the other hand, a sudden windfall of money, whether through an inheritance or even a lottery win, can create a lot more stress for you and the people you…
The trade war with China was tough on Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) investors. In April, shares hit a year-to-date low below $87 apiece. Like its fellow Magnificent 7 members, Nvidia has struggled due to economic uncertainties about the effects of tariffs, as well as due to Chinese AI innovations. Bears see Nvidia stock falling further…
Appeals Court Upholds Trump’s National Guard Deployment In Los Angeles Amid Unrest A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that President Trump can continue using California National Guard troops in Los Angeles to respond to social unrest sparked by far-left NGOs, while a legal challenge over the president’s authority proceeds. The ruling temporarily stays a lower court’s decision that…
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been one of the stock market’s biggest success stories ever. The company had its initial public offering in May 1997 and traded for an astonishingly low split-adjusted price of just seven cents per share. Since then, the stock has gained over 283,200% as the company has grown into the linchpin…
Key Points The Fed is holding interest rates steady for now. The Fed’s decision won’t directly impact your Social Security checks. There’s a specific measure you’ll want to look at to see what’s in store for Social Security next year. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a…
Key Points Many seniors are shocked to learn that Social Security benefits are taxable. Whether you’ll pay taxes on your benefits depends on your total income picture. President Trump wants to do away with taxes on Social Security but has not been successful so far. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool…
Key Points Age 70 is typically considered the “latest” age to claim Social Security. While you might boost your benefits on a monthly basis, there are big drawbacks. Make sure you’re thinking things through before you delay your filing. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in…
Key Points It is possible, at least in theory, to borrow $100,000 and invest it in the MSTY ETF profitably. However, the risks are considerable and proper precautions must be taken. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that…
US Intel: Iran Likely To Pursue Nukes If US Joins Israel’s War – Trump Worried About ‘Libya Scenario’ Reiterating a long-running US intelligence community consensus that Iran has not been building a nuclear bomb, US intelligence officials are warning that an American entry into Israel’s war would likely incentivize Iran to pursue becoming a nuclear-weapon…
White House Says Trump To Decide On Attacking Iran ‘Within Next 2 Weeks’ Summary: The White House held a high stakes presser Thursday afternoon, as President Donald Trump also again convened his top national security officials in the situation room to hear intelligence officials and make key decisions on the Israel-Iran war, just prior. Of…
US Resumes Student Visas With Stricter Social Media Vetting Authored by Jacob Burg via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The State Department announced new vetting requirements on June 18, including social media screening for all student visa applicants. “The State Department is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards…
Key Points Nationwide, 22.6% of U.S. adults disagree that schools should teach about global warming. One demographic strongly in support of climate education in schools is college-educated Americans. At the county level, a 1 percentage-point increase in the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree is associated with a 0.3 percentage-point increase in the share…
Spain’s Historic Blackout Blamed On Poor Voltage Control By John Kemp of JKempEnergy.com Spain’s massive blackout was caused by overvoltage on the transmission system and the failure of the country’s generators to compensate by absorbing more reactive power, according to the official government investigation. Investigators found no evidence a cyber-attack contributed to the nationwide blackout…
Photo by The Transport Enthusiast DC on Unsplash Analyzing American economic policy isn’t that interesting these days, except perhaps as a grim spectacle. So I’ve been thinking a little about Chinese economic policy. China’s leaders leave much to be desired, but to their credit, they still think economic policy is about strengthening their nation, enriching…
Energy Secretary Grilled By Senate Panel Over Funding Clawbacks Authored by John Haughey via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Energy Secretary Chris Wright justified the termination of 24 energy projects allocated $3.7 billion by Congress, during a Senate panel on Wednesday. Wright said the clawbacks were the first round of scrutiny by a newly created…
Shell CEO: Contingency Plans Ready If Strait Of Hormuz Closure Triggers Energy Shock Shell Plc is preparing contingency plans in case the conflict between Israel and Iran broadens and disrupts oil and gas flows through the critical maritime chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, CEO Wael Sawan told Bloomberg’s Shery Ahn at the Japan Energy Summit…
Turkish Public Increasingly Worried About Direct Conflict With Israel Via The Middle East Eye A day before Israel attacked Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at the Knesset, welcoming Argentinian President Javier Milei with open arms. “Argentina became a safe haven for thousands of Jews,” Milei told Israeli politicians. “They sought refuge from economic hardship and antisemitic persecution. Not…
Supply Fears Send EU Diesel Prices Soaring As Bloc Exposed To Strait Of Hormuz Risks European diesel prices rallied for a fifth straight session, driven by mounting anxiety that critical Middle East shipping lanes could be choked off. The conflict between Israel and Iran has raised alarm bells across the EU, which has become increasingly dependent on…
NATO Is The United States Authored by Vijay Prashad via Consortium News, On June 24 and 25, the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will strut around the streets of The Hague for their annual summit – the first since Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency and the first under new NATO Secretary General…
Kremlin Hawks Frustrated That Putin Still Has Not Declared Formal State Of War Russian hardliners are urging President Vladimir Putin to officially declare war on Ukraine, arguing that the current “special military operation” is insufficient, especially in the wake Ukraine’s recent surprise strike on air bases near Moscow. President Zelensky had touted last month’s ‘Operation…
In this economic/financial news report we discuss Target’s concerning announcement regarding shoppers, Wal-Mart stock, cost of living, investing, rate-cuts coming, Goldman Sachs warning, and lots more. ☕ Buy me a cup of coffee, or beer 🍺depending on my mood 🤣 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JaysonJAllen 🪙Got Silver? I buy from here: https://shrsl.com/4n9db – SD Bullion, FREE SHIPPING with minimum…
US Attorney Announces Largest-Ever, $225 Million Cryptocurrency Seizure Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times, Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said her office has seized more than $225.3 million in cryptocurrency linked to a sprawling international fraud and money laundering network responsible for defrauding hundreds of victims through online…
Cannabis, Smoked Or Eaten, Linked To Tobacco-Like Blood Vessel Harm Authored by George Citroner via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Long-term marijuana smoking and THC edible use may harm the blood vessels as much as tobacco, a new study suggests. The research indicates that cannabis users might face an increased risk of heart disease, even…
A home is one of the most expensive purchases an individual will make in a lifetime. And with the housing market in less-than-ideal condition, buying a home can be tricky. Mortgage rates are now hovering about 7% and the U.S. median house price is over $406,000. These factors make the dream of owning a home…
Ryan Mauro talks about the ongoing Iran-Israeli war and debates about potential U.S. involvement. Informed by his study of Islamic extremism, Mauro discusses the particular strain of Islamic extremism that rules Islamic Republic of Iran and internal power dynamics at play in Iran, cautioning that regime change is not certain and may not happen quickly…
The Cost Of Restoring Order In Los Angeles Via Open The Books, Following a week of protests that have given way to rioting in Los Angeles, Open the Books is taking a look at the cost of restoring and maintaining order. Already ravaged by wildfires earlier this year, the city is now dealing with violence…
Elon Musk Downplays Importance Of DOGE Vs. Coming AI “Tsunami” Tech billionaire Elon Musk waxed poetic about his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency in Washington, D.C., describing the experience as significant but secondary to a more pressing challenge: preparing society for the rapid rise of disruptive artificial intelligence. “Fixing the government is like,…
Will The Hawks, The Doves, Or The Cuckoos Win By Michael Every of Rabobank The hawks and doves are split. Tehran rejected US calls for its unconditional surrender while insulting President Trump, who stated “Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” but wants, “total and complete victory” rather than a ceasefire. The Wall Street Journal…
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) stock is a biopharmaceutical firm that had a magnificent breakout in 2021 as the worst of the pandemic sent COVID vaccine demand through the roof. Since that peak, it’s been a painful descent for shares of PFE, with the name now down around 60% from its all-time high. Catching the name on the…
GOP Senators Briefed On Plan To Obliterate “Toxic” Green Subsidies, Dismantle Climate Heist On US Treasury Fossil fuel advocate Alex Epstein delivered a hard-hitting briefing to nearly all Senate Republicans on Wednesday, emphasizing that the Inflation Reduction Act’s “toxic subsidies” for the green energy industry—totaling billions—must be “terminated.” “Today I got the opportunity to speak…
War with Iran is the biggest news story of 2025 so far, and it is also one of the biggest events of this entire period in human history. Decisions that global leaders will be making in the weeks and months to come will have very serious implications for all of us. Right now, we are…
NIRP Is Back As Swiss National Bank Cuts Rates To Zero, Introduces Stealth Negative Rates Five years after covid sparked a once in a generation inflationary surge and forced all central banks to push their interest rates well above the zero (and in some cases negative) lower bound which defined the post-QE era, overnight the…
Netanyahu Threatens Assassination Of ‘Modern Hitler’ – Iran’s Ayatollah After on Thursday more ballistic missiles and drones struck Tel Aviv and various parts of Israel – including Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba – the Israeli Health Ministry reports that 271 people arrived at hospitals, four in serious condition, 16 in moderate condition, and many more with minor injuries –…
How To Destroy A State: Swap Out The Wealthy For Illegal Immigrants Submitted by Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner of Wirepoints Whether they’re doing it on purpose or out of just plain ineptitude, Illinois’ political leaders have been slowly destroying this state. More recently, they’ve moved into overdrive. What we’re talking about is all the…
Back in February, Donald Trump claimed that the European Union was formed to “screw the US” on trade. With the reimposition and then the repausing of tariffs on the European Union, the Trump Administration has repeated that claim, sometimes including that a value-added tax (VAT) also exists to screw Americans. Of course, these are silly…
Waste Of The Day: $140 For Taxi Ride Across Parking Lot Authored by Jeremy Portnoy via RealClearInvestigations, Topline: Massachusetts’ Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program recently funded what might just be history’s most expensive car trip: $140 for a taxi ride of 223 feet. For those quick with a calculator, that’s a rate of $3,314 per…
Two US Soldiers Die In Non-Combat Incidents In Middle East As Region On Edge While the globe’s attention has been focused almost entirely on the near week-long Iran-Israel war, and as the White House could escalate its backing of Israel in the conflict, two US Army soldiers died this week during Middle East deployments. Two…
Key Points For quite some time, dividends were paid monthly, quarterly, annually, or semi-annually. Now, you can collect dividends every single week. With NVDW, you can ride Nvidia’s momentum at about $44 a share, as compared to Nvidia’s current price of $145.50, and collect weekly income. Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free…
