Core Insights - Geopolitical uncertainty and persistent demand trends from the previous year are driving silver prices to unprecedented heights in 2026 [1] Group 1 - The current geopolitical landscape is contributing significantly to the rising prices of silver [1] - Demand trends observed in the previous year are continuing to influence the market positively [1] - There are questions regarding the sustainability of the upward price movement of silver [1]

Core Insights - Verizon Communications announced a $20 account credit for customers affected by a recent outage, which impacted over 2 million users [2][3][5] - The outage was resolved by 10:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but the cause remains undisclosed [3] - Customers will receive a text notification when the credit is available, while business customers will be contacted directly [2][4] Customer Impact - The $20 credit is intended to cover several days of a cell phone plan for affected customers [2] - Verizon has not specified a deadline for customers to redeem the credit [4] - As of the latest quarterly report, Verizon has 146.1 million total retail wireless phone lines connected to its service [5] Industry Context - The recent outage is part of a broader trend of service disruptions among major cloud and software providers, including competitors like AT&T, which also experienced a significant outage earlier this year [6] - Verizon's stock was down 0.7% in early-afternoon trading, with a 2% gain over the past 12 months, underperforming the S&P 500 index, which gained 17% in the same period [7]

Key Takeaways Crypto wants its way—even if it means near-term pain. Fresh disagreements over how crypto should be regulated have undercut early 2026 "we are so back" vibes. While there was a rally in market prices earlier this week, that more recently has stumbled as the Clarity Act, legislation that seeks to create a regulatory framework for the industry, stalled in Washington. The almost 300-page bill was a months-long work-in-progress set for a Senate Banking Committee markup hearing this week. That, how ...

Key Takeaways Money experts have long warned that forgotten subscriptions can drain your accounts. Recurring donations are something worth watching for, too. Setting up regular philanthropic donations has become a common fundraising technique in the nonprofit world. Consultants publish guides on the practice, and the Federal Trade Commission urges people making donations to check that they haven't inadvertently signed up to make a recurring gift. Consumers have lately spoken up about being charged for repea ...

KEY TAKEAWAYS Following President Donald Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, new Bilt credit cards offer rewards for making rent or mortgage payments and a 10% APR for the first year.However, many other credit card companies offer longer introductory periods with APRs as low as 0% for a year and a half.Consumers should be aware that when the introductory period on their credit card ends, the actual APR applies, which can make any remaining balance much higher. New Bilt credit cards ...

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Department of Education is pausing wage garnishments for the millions of defaulted student loan borrowers.This is a significant reversal: The Department had previously said it would start cutting part of the defaulted borrowers' income in early February. The Department of Education backtracked from previous plans this week, saying it will not cut the wages of defaulted federal student loan borrowers yet. In a press conference on Monday, the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, said ...

Micron (MU) just got a powerful vote of confidence. ...

Key Takeaways If the Trump Administration's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was intended to intimidate the central bank into sharply cutting interest rates, it's not going as planned. At least four Fed officials who set interest rates spoke out this week in defense of Powell and the Fed's duty to make monetary policy decisions in the public interest rather than at the White House's command. Traders subsequently priced in lower chances of rate cuts early in the year. "Any place where y ...

Core Insights - The expiration of pandemic-era subsidies has led to a significant increase in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums, doubling from 2025 to 2026, impacting 45 million enrollees [2][4][9] - Legislative efforts to extend subsidies have been unsuccessful, with a Democrat-sponsored bill blocked in the Senate [3] - Many enrollees are facing financial hardship, with average premium increases exceeding $1,000 annually, forcing some to downgrade their plans or forgo insurance altogether [4][9][13] Premium Increases - ACA plan premiums for 2026 have doubled compared to 2025 due to the expiration of government subsidies [2][4] - The average monthly premium increase is substantial, with some individuals experiencing increases from $8 to $90 [8] - A consulting agency reported that 15% of clients are facing "financially devastating" increases, leading to difficult choices regarding coverage [5][6] Enrollment Challenges - The deadline for enrolling in ACA plans for 2026 is approaching, with many states extending the deadline to the end of January [2] - As of the latest data, 1.4 million fewer people have enrolled in ACA plans compared to the same time in 2025, indicating a trend of declining enrollment [12] - The anticipated drop-off in enrollment is expected to increase as individuals may opt to go without insurance due to unaffordable premiums [13] Financial Implications - The expiration of subsidies is causing monthly health insurance payments to rise significantly, straining household budgets [6][9] - Enrollees are increasingly forced into plans with higher deductibles, making it difficult to meet out-of-pocket costs [7][10] - Many individuals are relying on financial assistance from hospitals and doctors to manage unexpected medical bills [11]

Core Insights - A proposed bill, the Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act, aims to allow workers aged 50 and older to invest part of their 401(k) funds into annuities, while also simplifying rollover information for those leaving a job [1][2][10] Group 1: Legislative Changes - The bipartisan bill is designed to help Americans plan for retirement by simplifying processes and providing more flexibility [2] - The bill has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee, but no further action has been taken yet [2] Group 2: Impact on Retirement Savings - Currently, workers can perform in-service rollovers to transfer 401(k) funds to another retirement account tax-free while still employed [3] - The new bill would allow plans to offer workers aged 50 and older the option to roll over their 401(k) funds into an individual retirement annuity, subject to plan sponsor approval [4][10] Group 3: Annuities Overview - Annuities provide periodic payments to retirees and can be beneficial for those seeking guaranteed income, but they can also be complex and costly [6][10] - Cash invested in annuities is illiquid and may incur withdrawal penalties, making them less suitable for younger individuals or those needing quick access to funds [7] Group 4: Expert Opinions on Annuities - Financial advisors suggest that annuities can help individuals who are risk-averse and may struggle with emotional decision-making in their portfolios [8] - Some experts recommend allocating a portion of a portfolio, approximately one-third, to annuities while investing the remainder in stocks, as annuities can create a reliable income stream [9] Group 5: Rollover Information Challenges - The bill aims to simplify the 401(k) rollover information provided to employees upon leaving a job, as many workers struggle to understand their distribution options [11][12] - A 2024 GAO report indicated that 80% of eligible 401(k) participants were unaware of their retirement account distribution options, highlighting a significant knowledge gap [13]