They win only if governments want just enough weapons—but not too many iStock image FINANCIAL MARKETS are never more ghoulish than in times of bloodshed. As soon as a missile is fired somewhere in the world, they start gauging not just losses but potential opportunities for profit. Even for believers...

A scenario some market pros had warned about in private credit is starting to play out.Analysts at Moody's Investors Service last summer had warned that retail-investor participation in private markets could pose a risk. Among their concerns was the idea that retail, accustomed to the daily liquidity of ETFs and...

The federal government tested a free, direct online tax-filing program for two years but with the change in administrations shut it down. There are still ways, though, to file your return at no charge, using government or commercial options.Direct File, a program started in the Biden administration, was tested by...

Mexico is an iconic spring break destination, from pool parties and world-class DJs in Cancun to blissful beach resorts in Puerto Vallarta. For U.S. travelers, it has been the top spring break vacation spot for more than five consecutive years, according to sales data from travel insurance provider Squaremouth. U.S....

By now, it's obvious that you will want to do everything possible to get out of default. Among other things, the default notation will be removed from your credit report, you will be eligible to apply for a deferment, and you will be eligible to take advantage of any flexible...

How high can oil and gas prices go? Rising tensions with Iran threaten global supply through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of another major energy shock. Close-up of Chevron sign at a gas station, showing California gas prices, in Walnut Creek, California, April 8, 2025. (Photo by Smith...

Conventional wisdom says that what goes up, must come down. But even if you view market volatility as a normal occurrence, it can be tough to handle when it's your money at stake. Though there's no foolproof way to handle the ups and downs of the stock market, the following...

In moments of extreme uncertainty investors usually rush to the safety of US government bonds, but not this time. iStock-2221452999 Reading too much into immediate short-term market reactions to major geopolitical news events is ghoulish and foolish. People are dying and no one knows what will happen next.Nonetheless, the uncertainty...

If you're self-employed or own a small business, you've probably considered establishing a retirement plan. If you've done your homework, you likely know about simplified employee pensions (SEPs) and savings incentive match plans for employees (SIMPLE) IRA plans. These plans typically appeal to small business owners because they're relatively straightforward...

By the end of this decade, women are projected to control 40% of investable assets in the United States. By 2048, they are expected to inherit an estimated $86 trillion . The headlines frame this as a transfer. But it may be something more consequential: a directional shift in power....

Oil prices spiked in the wake of the US attacks on Iran, with analysts and strategists eyeing negative consequences for markets and the economy if energy prices see a sustained rise.Brent oil rose roughly 7% and stocks whipsawed, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq turning positive after being down...

Key TakeawaysBerkshire Hathaway’s new CEO, Greg Abel, sent his first letter to shareholders over the weekend.In the letter, Abel paid tribute to his predecessor, Warren Buffett, who remains Berkshire’s chairman.He also promised cultural continuity, capital discipline and a focus on operating performance. Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel took the reins...

Many people purchase second homes without fully understanding the tax consequences. Second home ownership has some tax benefits, but it also carries potential tax traps that can be very expensive. Getty Many people take for granted that they’ll be able to deduct the real estate taxes on a second home,...

With equity market volatility on the rise, cryptocurrencies collapsing, heightened concerns around the effects of artificial intelligence, and other geopolitical issues weighing on investment portfolio returns, where can investors turn to experience less drama and still receive an attractive return? Fixed income and the bond market. NEW YORK, NEW YORK...

Passion can work for or against you in a business model. Your goal? Make it work for you. Get Entrepreneur Daily, our free weekday newsletter that breaks down what’s happening in business and what it means for builders like you. Each issue gives you quick, practical ideas you can use...

Investor backlash against US markets appears to be real. iStock-2205082377 The Trump trade is dead. Long live the anti-Trump trade. Wherever you look in financial markets, you see signs that global investors are going out of their way to avoid Donald Trump’s America.Fund managers are not feeling miserable — far...

At first glance, saving and investing look similar to sports betting: You put money down today because you want more money later, and both entail a certain level of risk. Both use money to work to potentially earn rewards. But the resemblance ends when you go deeper. Saving and investing...

Americans filing taxes this year could qualify for a wave of new tax breaks under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act provisions. The savings, though, come with added complexity.A higher cap on state and local tax deductions, new write-offs for tips and overtime wages, deductions for seniors and...

Headline unemployment remains relatively low. And yet a growing share of job seekers have been out of work for six months or longer. For many, re-entry is proving slower and more disorienting than expected. As CNBC recently reported , long-term unemployment is becoming a status quo in parts of today’s...

Most competitive employee benefit packages provide retirement, vacation, health, vision, dental, basic life, and disability insurance benefits, yet business owners might also consider additional programs to grab the attention of potential new hires. Fortunately, there are many benefit programs available, covering a variety of special circumstances, that can help round...

Key TakeawaysExtra mortgage payments can starve your retirement accounts.Pouring too much cash into home equity can leave you "house-rich, cash-poor."If your mortgage's interest rate is under about 6%, you might want to leave the payoff schedule alone and invest your extra funds into the market.Paying off your mortgage early sounds...

Key TakeawaysThere’s no universal rule that investors in their 50s should start investing in bonds—asset allocation should be driven by an individualized financial plan.When deciding on your bond allocation, consider how soon you’ll need your money.Before you enter retirement, consider boosting your bond allocation and following a bucketing strategy to...

Despite some CEOs' enthusiasm, AI agents aren't always up to the task.One culprit: hallucinations.Agents are software programs that can perform tasks independently, such as reconciling an invoice, so that a person doesn't have to. Sounds great, right? That's why companies are plugging agents into tasks across sales, finance, supply chains,...

Retirement is no longer a singular life milestone with a clear finish line. It has become a dynamic stage shaped by policy shifts, investment innovation, demographic change, and evolving expectations about work and income. As we move through 2026, several retirement trends are gaining momentum and they may impact how...

You're almost done with your federal income tax return, and you're already thinking of ways to spend your refund. Then, the unthinkable happens — instead of a refund, you find that you owe $3,000. Or perhaps you've just received an IRS notice in the mail claiming that you owe $9,000...

Aging used to be a fact of life, now it’s a feature backlog in a startup’s Jira. Across labs, clinics, and venture decks, a new generation of builders is treating longevity not as a concept but as a solvable system.For them, death is a technical problem. It is distributed across...

Someone is shot, and almost dies; the fragility of life is intimately revealed to him. He goes on to have flashbacks of the event, finds that he can no longer relax or enjoy himself. He is agitated and restless. His relationships suffer, then wither; he is progressively disturbed by intrusive...

Allison Schrager is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering economics. A senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, she is author of “An Economist Walks Into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand Risk.” Making markets more efficient.Photographer: BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP Investing these days feels harder than ever. So much has...

American parents will soon have another option to fund their kids' financial futures."Trump Accounts" that were set up as part of the sweeping GOP-backed tax and spending law last year will officially launch in July 2026 as an investment savings option for children. Business Insider is breaking down everything you...

More than half of businesses fail within their first five years, and lack of profitability and cash discipline consistently rank among the top reasons. Even among companies that survive, financial stress is widespread: 88 percent of businesses experience regular cash-flow disruptions, yet only about one-third actively manage cash flow through...

The pain may be nowhere near over for silver.The precious metal is starting to stabilize after weathering a historic plunge last week, but, after a decline of that magnitude, history says that silver likely won't find a bottom anytime soon. It could take years for the metal to claw its...

Key TakeawaysThe dollar's 11% decline over the past year is already driving up costs for imported goods and could push interest rates higher.Traditional safe havens are flashing warning signs: gold has surged past $5,500 an ounce, almost doubling from a year ago, as investors flee dollar-denominated assets.The dollar just hit...

In the world of investing, there’s a comforting myth: if you own the stock market of your home country especially one as large and dynamic as the United States you’ve locked in the best possible future. The remarkable run of U.S. equities through 2025 reinforced this belief for many American...

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amy Lovett, 54. After being laid off in July, Lovett began her job search with a résumé that included her photo and full work experience. Once she removed her photo, some dates, and shortened her work history, Lovett, who lives in...

Key TakeawaysA prominent strategist contends that the real "poverty line" for a family of four is $140,000, not the official threshold of $32,150.Created in the 1960s, the formula used to calculate the poverty threshold does not accurately reflect the realities of modern household budgets, the strategist says.One analysis contends that...