Core Viewpoint - President Trump's public campaign to influence the Federal Reserve may inadvertently lead to Jerome Powell remaining in charge of a key policy committee for another term [2][11]. Group 1: Federal Reserve Leadership - Jerome Powell's term as chair officially ends in May, but he could legally remain on the policy committee, a scenario that was previously considered unlikely [3][12]. - Tensions between President Trump and Powell have escalated, leading to speculation that Powell may continue as a governor or even as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) after his chairmanship ends [4][11]. - Powell's potential continuation as a Fed governor would be a rare occurrence in the history of the Federal Reserve, indicating a commitment to the Fed's independence from political influence [5][11]. Group 2: Economic Implications - If Powell remains on the Fed, it could signal the central bank's determination to maintain its independence, but it may also perpetuate political conflict and uncertainty [5]. - Trump has pressured the Fed to lower interest rates, arguing that this would benefit household budgets and reduce federal interest payments [7]. - The Fed has cut interest rates three times recently to support the economy, but officials are expected to hold rates steady due to ongoing inflation concerns [8]. Group 3: Political Dynamics - The relationship between the Trump administration and the Fed has become strained, with legal actions taken against Fed leaders, which the White House claims are based on legal and ethical grounds rather than political motives [9]. - Trump's criticism of Powell has been frequent, and he has expressed a desire to remove him from his position, although he downplayed concerns about Powell potentially staying on [15].

Core Insights - The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' introduces significant tax changes affecting 2025 returns, with the IRS starting to accept these returns on Monday [1] - Key changes for self-employed workers include an increased threshold for 1099-K forms and a new "no tax on tips" deduction [1][10] Tax Changes for Self-Employed Workers - The threshold for issuing 1099-K forms has been reverted to the previous limit, requiring a 1099-K only if a worker has more than 200 transactions and earns over $20,000 [6] - The 1099-K form is essential for self-employed individuals receiving payments through third-party platforms like PayPal and Square, with no threshold for payment card transactions [7][8] - Some states may have stricter reporting requirements, potentially requiring 1099-K reporting for transactions as low as $600 [9] New Deductions - The "no tax on tips" deduction applies to self-employed workers in fields where tipping is customary, allowing deductions of up to $25,000 for married couples and $12,000 for singles [12][13] - This deduction only affects federal income tax and does not reduce Medicare or Social Security taxes owed on tips [13] Recommendations for Self-Employed Workers - It is advisable for self-employed individuals to maintain regular bookkeeping to accurately track income and expenses, facilitating more precise quarterly tax payments [14][15] - Utilizing online tax calculators can help self-employed workers estimate their tax liabilities [15]

Core Insights - Average car loan rates have decreased by 0.5 percentage points since September, reaching their lowest level since October 2022, but monthly payments continue to rise [2][10] - The average monthly payment for a new car has reached a record high of $781, despite lower loan rates [3][10] Loan Amounts and Payments - The average amount financed for a new car purchase in December 2025 was $44,361, which is over 4% higher than the previous year [5] - Monthly payments for used cars have also increased, with an average payment of $568 in December 2025, up by $14 or 2.5% from the previous year [8][10] Loan Terms and Interest Rates - A growing number of customers are opting for longer loan terms, with nearly 21% of new-car loans having terms of 84 months or longer in Q4 2025, compared to less than 18% a year earlier [6] - The average annual percentage rate (APR) for new-vehicle purchases has only decreased by 0.1% from 6.8% in late 2024 to 6.7% at the end of 2025, indicating limited relief for borrowers [7] Market Dynamics - The increase in car prices and larger loan balances is offsetting any benefits from the decline in loan rates, leading to higher monthly payments [10] - Customers are facing challenges in finding competitive promotional rates, with only 3.1% of new-vehicle loans offering a 0% rate in Q4, down from 3.3% in Q3 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain its key interest rate steady at its upcoming meeting, with ongoing discussions about the independence of the central bank from political pressures [1][9]. Interest Rate Expectations - Financial markets anticipate that the Federal Open Market Committee will keep the fed funds rate unchanged in the range of 3.5% to 3.75%, with a 97% probability of no change according to CME Group's FedWatch tool [2]. - Following three consecutive rate cuts, Fed officials show little interest in further reductions, opting to hold rates steady for several months to evaluate economic responses [3][11]. Economic Implications - The decision to keep rates unchanged is likely to influence market reactions regarding potential future rate cuts later in the year [4]. - Inflation has remained above the Fed's 2% target since 2021, and the job market is experiencing a slowdown, although recent data suggests improvements [5]. Political Pressures - President Trump has publicly pressured the Fed to lower interest rates and has initiated legal actions against Fed officials, which Powell has described as intimidation [7]. - The perception of the Fed's independence is crucial for its ability to control inflation, and political interference could undermine this perception [8]. Future Outlook - Economists expect the Fed to pause rate cuts and establish a higher threshold for future reductions, as the job market stabilizes and inflation approaches target levels [11].

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain current interest rates, leading to stable cash rates in the near term, which are projected to remain competitive, ranging from low-3% to around 5% [2][3][9] Cash Options Overview - Various cash management options, including high-yield savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash options, and U.S. Treasuries, are highlighted as offering solid yields without market risk [4][9] - The best high-yield savings accounts and CDs allow for locking in strong returns, while brokerage options and Treasuries provide a balance of flexibility and stability [4][12] Earnings Potential - Different cash balances can generate significant earnings over six months, with examples showing how $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000 can earn between $20 to $1,235 depending on the APY chosen [7][10] - For instance, at a 5.00% APY, $10,000 could earn $247, $25,000 could earn $617, and $50,000 could earn $1,235 over six months [10] Rate Variability - The rates for savings accounts and money market accounts are variable and can change over time, while CDs and Treasuries allow for locking in rates for a specified period [11][12] Current Rate Analysis - The article provides a breakdown of current rates across different cash categories, including bank and credit union products, brokerage and robo-advisor products, and U.S. Treasury products [14][16]

Key Takeaways Investors may be tempted, after three years of double digit gains, to ditch the stock market amid this year's bout of volatility. Jim Lacamp, senior vice president with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, is encouraging them to white knuckle it. The stock market in early 2026 can feel "really hard to stick with, because of the rapid-fire news and the rapid-fire changes in policy,†said Lacamp during a CNBC appearance on Friday. "But I would caution people about getting out of this market.†Presi ...

WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU Analysts broadly are bullish about Capital One despite some disappointment in parts of its Q4 numbers. It, however, and others could suffer if the president's proposed interest rate cap becomes a reality. Wall Street price targets suggest upside ranging from almost 20% to more than 80% in the next 12 months. Of the 15 analysts tracked by Visible Alpha, 11 have a buy rating, effectively a bullish stance; the service's mean target on the stock is around $281, which implies upside of al ...

Key Takeaways Intel shares tumbled Friday after the chipmaker's outlook disappointed, erasing much of the stock's gains over the past few weeks.Wall Street analysts suggested some of the investor enthusiasm behind the stock's recent rally may have been premature. Intel's recent rally might just be over. Shares of Intel (INTC) plunged 17% to close at $45 Friday, giving up most of their gains in the last few weeks, after the chipmaker gave a disappointing outlook for the current quarter. While Intel po ...

Mendoza's post highlights the way LinkedIn users have found the platform useful not only as a means of putting a resume online and applying for work, but also for positioning themselves however they desire and making a statement about their aspirations. A scan of several other current and former athletes' accounts shows them highlighting their investments, philanthropic efforts and venture-capital firms as well as their on-the-field exploits. (The site is also a way to stake claim to one's identity: A searc ...

Core Insights - McCormick & Co. is increasing prices in its consumer goods segment due to rising costs from tariffs and ingredients [1][2] - Price increases are expected to contribute more significantly to growth in 2026 compared to 2025, as the company has not fully passed on tariff costs [2] Company Actions - McCormick plans to implement targeted price increases starting in February 2025, with additional increases anticipated [2] - Other companies in the spice and seasoning industry, such as B&G Foods and International Flavors & Fragrances, are also raising prices due to similar cost pressures [5][6] Market Trends - The U.S. seasoning and spice market, valued at approximately $2.9 billion, is projected to grow to $4 billion by 2030, driven by a multicultural population and diverse tastes [4] - Despite rising prices, consumers are still inclined to cook at home as a cost-saving measure, which supports ongoing demand for spices and seasonings [7][8] Consumer Behavior - Consumers, particularly those from low-to-middle income households, are making more frequent shopping trips while purchasing fewer items per trip, indicating a focus on budget management [8] - The importance of flavor in everyday cooking remains strong, with herbs and spices leading in unit consumption [8]