Core Insights - The Social Security Administration distributes benefits to over 74 million individuals each month, with payment schedules primarily based on beneficiaries' birth dates [1][5]. Payment Schedule - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for February will be issued on January 30, while benefits for those who began receiving payments before May 1997 will be paid on February 3 [6]. - Benefits will be distributed on the following dates in February: - February 11 for those born between the 1st and 10th - February 18 for those born between the 11th and 20th - February 25 for those born between the 21st and 31st [6]. - SSI payments for March will be issued on February 27 [3][6]. Importance of Payment Timing - Knowing the payment schedule is crucial for Social Security beneficiaries, as they rely on fixed incomes to manage their budgets and financial obligations [2].

Core Insights - The 2026 tax filing season is expected to be challenging for some taxpayers due to changes in tax law and significant layoffs at the IRS [2][9] - The IRS is facing staffing shortages and leadership instability, which may hinder its ability to assist taxpayers effectively [5][9] Taxpayer Experience - Most taxpayers are anticipated to have a smooth filing experience, but those needing assistance or who file incorrectly may encounter delays [2][3] - The Taxpayer Advocate Service emphasizes the importance of IRS support for taxpayers experiencing issues during the filing season [3] Impact of Tax Law Changes - The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act introduced over 100 changes to the tax code, including new deductions and credits, which may lead to increased errors in tax returns [7][9] - Taxpayers may struggle to navigate these changes, potentially resulting in more calls to IRS customer service [9] IRS Operational Challenges - The IRS laid off 27% of its workforce in 2025 and is currently 1,000 employees short of its goal to hire 3,500 new customer service representatives [5][6] - The transition to virtual refunds, with most refunds sent electronically, may complicate the filing process for taxpayers who do not provide direct deposit information [8] Overall Outlook - The combination of staffing shortages, tax law changes, and the shift to virtual refunds is likely to create a more difficult and frustrating filing season for taxpayers and IRS employees alike [10]

Core Insights - Gold is increasingly being viewed as a more favorable investment compared to bitcoin, with its price rising significantly while bitcoin has recently declined [1][3][7] Group 1: Gold's Performance - Gold's price has more than doubled over the last year, currently trading above $5,400, despite a recent profit-taking dip [2][5] - Analysts suggest that gold could reach prices between $8,000 to $8,500 if household gold holdings increase from 3% to 4.6% of overall portfolios [5][7] - Gold has outperformed bitcoin over the past five years, indicating a shift in investor preference towards the precious metal [3][7] Group 2: Bitcoin's Decline - Bitcoin has seen a significant drop, falling almost 7% to below $84,000, marking its lowest point since November [1][2] - There has been a noticeable outflow from bitcoin ETFs, contrasting with inflows into gold and silver ETFs, reflecting a shift in investor sentiment [4][6] - Retail investors are increasingly favoring precious metals over bitcoin, indicating a potential long-term trend [5][6]

Core Insights - The IRS is requiring taxpayers to include their bank account information on 2025 tax returns to avoid delays in refunds [1][5] - Starting in the 2026 filing season, the IRS will transition to electronic payments for tax refunds, phasing out paper checks [1][4] Taxpayer Impact - Approximately 6.5 million taxpayers, or about 7% of those who received a refund, were issued paper checks during the 2025 tax filing season, primarily affecting unbanked or vulnerable populations [2] - If taxpayers fail to provide accurate bank information, their refunds will be frozen until the correct information is submitted within 30 days of receiving a notice from the IRS [2][5] Alternatives and Exceptions - Taxpayers who prefer not to provide bank information can request a paper check by contacting an IRS representative, but this will result in a delayed refund [3][5] - Certain groups, including international taxpayers, minors, prisoners, and those with religious exceptions, are exempt from the direct deposit requirement [6]

Core Insights - Caterpillar has seen a significant increase in its stock value, gaining over 75% in the past year, making it the top performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average [1] - The company's recent quarterly results exceeded analysts' expectations, driven by strong demand for equipment used in AI data center construction [1] Financial Performance - Caterpillar reported an adjusted earnings per share of $5.16 for the fourth quarter, with an 18% year-over-year revenue increase to $19.1 billion [1] - The construction industries segment experienced a 15% growth in sales, while the power generation division saw a remarkable 44% revenue surge [1] Market Impact - The growing demand for construction machinery related to AI data centers has helped mitigate the negative effects of tariffs on Caterpillar's margins [1] - Caterpillar's stock has risen 16% in January alone, reflecting the broader market impact of the AI boom across various industries [1] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts are divided on Caterpillar's stock potential, with five analysts recommending "buy" and four suggesting "hold" [1] - The stock has surpassed the mean target price of approximately $662 set by analysts [1]

That decision follows the Magnificent Seven company's move to shift the product from a one-time purchase to a subscription, which bears the promise of recurring revenue but passes on larger one-time payments. Why This Matters to Tesla Investors Tesla has long sold its self-driving software via a one-time payment. Now, as it's shifting to subscriptions, it's begun detailing those sales—which, by the way, is a key metric in CEO Elon Musk's efforts to get full benefit of his pay package. The company on Wednesd ...

Strong Results; Microsoft Drops as Cloud Revenue Growth Slows][Wall Street Is Down on Software Stocks. This Expert Says That's 'Absolutely Wrong'][A Memory Shortage Is Bad News for Intel. Here's Who It's Good For.][Elon Musk Says Optimus Robots Are Coming Your Way. That Has Tesla Stock on the Rise.][AI Could Spell Trouble for Software. These Experts Say to Avoid One Stock In Particular][Here's How Much Traders Expect Tesla Stock to Move After Earnings][Intel Stock's Torrid Rally Is About to Face Its Latest ...

-- Why Microsoft's Stock Is Tumbling Thursday [Stocks Little Changed After Fed Decision][Fed Holds Key Rate Steady][Meta and Tesla Shares Surge, Microsoft Slides After Earnings][Nvidia's Plans to Sell More Chips in China Clear Major Hurdle]- Top StoriesMicrosoft revealed that nearly half of its backlog was attributable to OpenAI.David Paul Morris / Bloomberg / Getty ImagesClose### Key Takeaways- Analysts said the tech giant's growing AI spending, weaker-than-expected cloud growth, and reliance on a few larg ...

Core Insights - The U.S. Dollar Index has dropped to 96, marking an almost 11% decline over the past year, which is the lowest level in four years, raising concerns about the implications for the economy [1][6] - President Trump has expressed that he is "not concerned" about the dollar's decline, despite its potential impact on imports, fuel costs, and interest rates [1][2] Economic Factors - The dollar's weakness is attributed to global investor skepticism regarding U.S. dollar-denominated assets, influenced by the Federal Reserve's rate cuts, inflation concerns, and geopolitical tensions [2] - As of Q3 2025, approximately 57% of global foreign-exchange reserves are held in dollars, indicating its continued dominance despite a gradual decline [3] Market Reactions - Analysts have noted a "Sell America" trend, where investors are offloading U.S. stocks, bonds, and dollars, leading to a surge in gold prices, which reached over $5,500 an ounce, reflecting a shift towards safe-haven assets [4][6] Impact on Consumers - A weaker dollar is expected to increase costs for imported goods, fuel, and interest rates on loans, affecting various aspects of consumer finances [5][7] - The Trump tariffs have already raised prices on electronics, clothing, and vehicles, and a weaker dollar will exacerbate these costs [7] Investment Strategies - To mitigate the effects of dollar instability, diversifying into non-dollar assets like international stocks and bonds is recommended, as evidenced by the MSCI All Country World ex-USA Index's 29% gain in 2025 compared to the S&P 500's 17% [5][9] - Alternative stores of value, such as gold and silver, are suggested as hedges against dollar weakness, although their high prices may pose risks if the dollar strengthens [9]

Core Insights - A survey of 2,000 Americans shows that confidence in pop culture knowledge (6.4) surpasses confidence in saving money (3.9) [1][7] - The survey highlights a significant confidence gap in financial literacy, which affects daily financial decisions and savings habits [2][3] Financial Literacy and Savings Myths - 79% of respondents have a savings account earning interest, yet 43% do not know the specific interest rate [4] - Only 54% of respondents have a separate emergency fund, and among those, 74% feel confident in their savings for emergencies [4] - Many Americans mistakenly believe that all banks offer similar interest rates (41%) and that higher balances are necessary for better rates (68%) [8] Recommendations for Improving Savings Habits - Emphasizing the importance of understanding interest rates rather than just account balances can enhance savings effectiveness [9] - Keeping emergency savings distinct from long-term savings can improve financial clarity and decision-making [10] - Regularly reviewing savings accounts is essential to ensure alignment with financial goals, as rates and personal needs change over time [11]