What's Happening With the DOJ Probe—And Why It's Catching Attention The Justice Department (DOJ) has opened a criminal probe involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, an unusual development arriving just weeks before the Fed's next interest rate decision. If you're seeing those headlines and wondering whether they could affect what the Fed does next, it's a fair question. Fed rate decisions shape everyday finances, influencing both the return savers earn on cash in the bank and the costs borrowers pay ...

Key Takeaways Enduring childhood abuse or a parental divorce often has negative consequences for a person's wealth later in life, says a recent report from the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College. And that can have a big impact on retirement security. In the December 2025 study, CRR researchers found that facing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—like emotional neglect, household mental illness, or alcoholism—resulted in people aged 52 to 60 having a net worth that was substantially low ...

Core Viewpoint - President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% aims to provide relief to consumers facing high rates, but industry analyses indicate that such a cap could lead to the disappearance of up to 80% of credit card accounts, potentially harming the very borrowers it intends to help [1][12]. Group 1: Proposal Details - Trump has called for the cap to take effect on January 20, stating that the American public should no longer be "ripped off" by credit card companies charging rates of 20% to 30% [2][10]. - The average credit card APR has risen to 21%, nearly double the rate from a decade ago, with Americans currently owing a record $1.23 trillion on credit cards [4][6]. Group 2: Industry Response - Consumer advocates recognize the frustration behind the proposal, but banks and credit unions warn that a hard cap could limit access to credit for those without excellent credit scores, resulting in fewer options rather than cheaper ones [2][12]. - Experts suggest that many consumers could lose access to rewards and benefits as banks adjust to lower interest revenues [2][15]. Group 3: Legal and Legislative Context - Interest rate caps are determined at the state level, and a nationwide cap would require an act of Congress, as established by a 1978 Supreme Court decision allowing nationally chartered banks to charge their home state's rates [8][9]. - Bipartisan support exists for the idea, with Senators Bernie Sanders and Josh Hawley having introduced similar legislation [4][9]. Group 4: Financial Implications - A household with an average credit card debt of $11,019 at a 21% APR could save approximately $1,100 annually if the cap is implemented [15]. - However, the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator estimates that Americans could lose $27 billion in rewards, with the average borrower saving about $3 in interest for every $1 lost in rewards [15][16]. Group 5: Consumer Impact - Most borrowers with credit scores below 740 are likely to see their credit cards canceled or limits reduced under a 10% cap, affecting primarily working-class and middle-class consumers [16]. - The proposal could potentially save American consumers $100 billion annually in interest payments, but it may also cut off access for borrowers with scores below 600 [16].

Core Insights - Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have decreased to 6.23%, the lowest level since early October 2024, providing relief for homebuyers after a year of elevated rates [2][3] - The decline in mortgage rates follows a period where rates exceeded 7%, indicating a gradual pullback in borrowing costs [3] Market Implications - The current mortgage rate environment presents a dilemma for buyers: whether to lock in the current rates or wait for potentially better rates, which can be unpredictable [4][10] - Economic factors influencing mortgage rates include inflation data, investor expectations, and bond market movements, rather than solely Federal Reserve rate cuts [7][8] Buyer Considerations - Experts recommend that buyers focus on personal financial readiness rather than attempting to time the market for the lowest rates [11] - Locking in a mortgage rate now does not preclude future refinancing opportunities if rates decrease further [13]

Key Takeaways Money market funds have been the most popular investment of the last couple years with total assets in them reaching a record $7.8 trillion as of early January. As inflation becomes less of an issue for the Federal Reserve, yields can move lower, Manulife John Hancock's Roland said. Money market funds might offer less bang for your buck this year. Emily Roland, Manulife John Hancock Investment Management's co-chief investment strategist, in a Monday interview with CNBC advised investors ...

Core Insights - Bitcoin prices were expected to perform well in 2025 but faced a significant downturn in the Fall, leading to a bear market [1] - Matt Hougan from Bitwise anticipates that 2026 will see a resurgence in Bitcoin prices and an increase in cryptocurrency ETF issuances [1] - The Federal Reserve is currently under a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice regarding its renovation project, raising concerns about the Fed's independence and the integrity of capital markets [1] Bitcoin Market Analysis - The cryptocurrency market experienced a wave of selling that impacted Bitcoin's performance, transitioning it into a bear market [1] - Predictions for 2026 suggest a potential recovery and record-breaking performance for Bitcoin, alongside more cryptocurrency ETFs being issued [1] Federal Reserve Investigation - The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve's renovation project [1] - Chair Powell has responded to the investigation, emphasizing the importance of the Fed's independence and the sanctity of capital markets [1]

Could a new deal with Google help Apple sell investors on its AI Vision? ...

Core Insights - President Trump proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, citing that current rates of 20% to 30% are unfair to consumers [1][5] - The implementation details of this cap remain unclear, raising questions about its feasibility and duration [5] Stock Market Impact - Capital One Financial (COF) shares fell over 6%, American Express (AXP) dropped 4%, and Citigroup (C) decreased by 3% following the announcement [2] - Other major banks like JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), and Wells Fargo (WFC) saw declines of about 1%, while Synchrony Financial (SYF) experienced an over 8% drop [2] Consumer and Industry Implications - Capping interest rates may reduce borrowing costs for consumers but could negatively affect credit card issuers [3] - The upcoming earnings season for major banks, starting with JPMorgan, will provide executives an opportunity to address the potential impacts of this proposed cap [3] Regulatory Context - Financial stocks are also reacting to concerns regarding the Trump administration's pressure on the Federal Reserve, particularly after Fed Chair Jerome Powell mentioned a grand jury investigation into his previous testimony [4] - The investigation is perceived as politically motivated, occurring after the Fed did not lower rates as quickly as the administration desired [4]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly enhance online shopping experiences, potentially benefiting fintech stocks like Mastercard and Visa over competitors such as PayPal, Stripe, and Adyen [1][3][5] Group 1: Market Opportunities - The concept of "agentic commerce" is emerging, which relies on stable consumer spending, showing resilience despite job growth concerns and layoffs [2][3] - Analysts are favoring payment firms with diverse revenue streams and those that are less affected by consumer spending fluctuations [2] Group 2: AI Integration in Payments - AI agents are anticipated to play a crucial role in personalizing shopping experiences and facilitating transactions through integrated payment systems [4][5] - Mastercard and Visa are positioning their services as the default options in automated checkouts, which could lead to increased usage of their payment processors [5] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - PayPal is also involved in AI partnerships but faces challenges due to its exposure to retail and declining consumer discretionary spending in key markets [7][8] - Oppenheimer analysts maintain a neutral stance on PayPal until it can demonstrate accelerated profit growth and stabilization in consumer spending [8]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms has appointed Dina Powell McCormick as its president and vice chairman to guide strategy and execution, focusing on multi-billion-dollar investments and partnerships [1][6] - The appointment of Powell McCormick, a veteran of two Republican administrations, highlights Meta's commitment to enhancing its AI capabilities and strategic growth [2][3] Company Overview - Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has a market capitalization of approximately $1.65 trillion and is part of the S&P 500's "Magnificent Seven" group of major tech stocks [3] - The company is recognized as one of the largest spenders in the U.S. tech sector, particularly in AI technology development [2][3] Strategic Initiatives - Meta has recently secured long-term energy partnerships with three nuclear energy companies to support its data center network, addressing power availability constraints for expansion [4][5] - The company is also focused on developing its smart-glasses business, which is seen as a potential gateway to AI technology, while evolving its approach to online teen safety [5]