Canadian gold producer Hemlo Mining has announced findings from its 2025 B-Zone exploration drilling programme at the Hemlo Gold Mine near Marathon, Ontario. The latest drilling results have extended mineralisation at the mine by 400m in depth and identified a new mineralised zone within the Cedar Creek area. The mineral resource conversion drilling has enhanced geological certainty and is anticipated to facilitate a possible increase in indicated mineral resources around 100m beneath current mining lev ...

UK-based John Lewis Partnership will invest £108m ($145.9m) in employee pay, raising hourly shop floor wages by 6.9% from 1 April across both John Lewis and Waitrose. The latest allocation follows nearly £300m added to the pay budget over the past three years. Of the £108m increase, close to 90% is discretionary spending above the UK’s National Minimum Wage. From April, minimum hourly pay will rise to £13.25 nationwide and £14.80 inside the M25, equal to approximately £1,600 annually for a typical full ...

Evy Hambro, head of fundamental equities thematic and sector investing at BlackRock, and Jim Reid, head of macro and thematic research at Deutsche Bank, speak on Bloomberg Television about the price of gold and whey there is an inherent demand for the precious metal. "There's an element of speculation there, and there's an element of store of value against inflation," Reid says. ...

Meanwhile, Dutch historian and former E.U. official Luuk van Middelaar described the address as “well-crafted and therefore all the more dangerous for the Europeans, offering a new pact on the basis of a shared civilization, but omitting the Vance part of a year ago, which comes with U.S. alignment with MAGA allies in Europe (4).”Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, argued that Rubio’s speech suggests “the US will entirely set the parameters of that partn ...

We recently published 10 Losing Stocks in an Otherwise Optimistic Market. Axcelis Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) was one of the worst performers on Wednesday. Axcelis ended two straight days of gains on Wednesday, slashing 16.74 percent to finish at $82.01 apiece as investor sentiment was dampened by a dismal earnings performance in both the full-year and fourth quarter of 2025. In an updated report, Axcelis Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ACLS) said that net profit last year fell by 40.2 percent to $120.2 mi ...

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with the best rates reaching 4% APY, particularly from online banks [2][3] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, leading to a decline in CD rates since last year, with predictions of further cuts in 2026 [2][4] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The highest CD rate available today is 4% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for its 1-year CD [2] - Several financial institutions are providing competitive rates of 4% APY and above, especially among online banks [2] Group 2: Federal Reserve Impact - The Federal Reserve has decreased the federal funds rate three times in late 2024 by a total of one percentage point, impacting CD rates indirectly [3][5] - As the Fed lowers its rates, financial institutions typically adjust their deposit interest rates accordingly, leading to a potential decline in CD rates [5] Group 3: Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD account includes researching competitive rates, choosing an account that meets financial needs, and preparing necessary documents [6] - Applicants can often complete the application online, and funding the account can be done through transfers or checks [6]

Mortgage rates fell sharply this week as tensions between the US and Iran stoked the possibility of military conflict. Inflation concerns also lingered, as evidenced in the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest meeting. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell 8 basis points to 6.01% for the week ending Wednesday, according to Freddie Mac. That's the lowest level since September 2022. The 15-year fixed dropped 9 basis points to 5.35%. “This lower rate environment is not only improving affordability for pro ...

Mortgage Rates Overview - The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has increased by 11 basis points to 5.89%, while the 15-year rate rose by four basis points to 5.38% [1] - Despite the increase, the 30-year loan rate remains close to a three-year low [1] - The Mortgage Bankers Association reported an increase in refinance applications as rates remain favorable [1] Current Mortgage Rates - Current national average mortgage rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.89% - 20-year fixed: 5.79% - 15-year fixed: 5.38% - 5/1 ARM: 5.99% - 7/1 ARM: 5.79% - 30-year VA: 5.38% - 15-year VA: 5.08% - 5/1 VA: 4.98% [4] Refinance Rates - Today's refinance rates show slight variations, with refinance rates generally being higher than purchase mortgage rates [3][11] - Current refinance rates include: - 30-year fixed: 5.97% - 20-year fixed: 5.86% - 15-year fixed: 5.47% - 5/1 ARM: 6.28% - 7/1 ARM: 6.19% - 30-year VA: 5.46% - 15-year VA: 5.07% - 5/1 VA: 4.81% [5] Mortgage Rate Determinants - Mortgage rates are influenced by controllable factors such as lender comparison, credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and down payments [9][10] - Uncontrollable factors include economic conditions, where struggling economies typically lead to lower mortgage rates to encourage borrowing [11] Mortgage Types - Fixed-rate mortgages lock in the interest rate for the entire loan term, while adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have an initial fixed period followed by periodic adjustments [7] - A 30-year fixed mortgage offers lower monthly payments but incurs more interest over time, whereas a 15-year fixed mortgage has higher monthly payments but lower overall interest costs [12][13] Market Insights - The lowest-ever 30-year fixed mortgage rate recorded was 2.65% in January 2021, and it is unlikely to drop below 3% in the near future [16] - Experts suggest refinancing when a new rate is at least 1% to 2% lower than the current rate, depending on individual financial goals [17]

Core Insights - High-yield savings accounts can provide above-average returns, making it essential for consumers to compare rates across different banks to maximize savings [1][2] Group 1: Current Savings Account Rates - Savings account rates have been declining since 2024 due to Federal Reserve rate cuts, but many high-yield accounts still offer rates around 4% APY [2][5] - As of February 19, 2026, the highest savings account rate available is 4% APY, offered by institutions like SoFi, Barclays, and Valley Direct [3] - Online banks typically provide the best savings rates, with some credit unions and community banks also offering competitive rates [2][4] Group 2: Factors in Choosing a Savings Account - When selecting a savings account, interest rates are crucial, but other factors such as fees, ATM locations, and the bank's reputation should also be considered [4][8] - The best savings accounts combine high rates, low fees, and a positive banking experience [4] Group 3: Interest Rate Trends and Forecast - Following years of near-zero interest rates, the Federal Reserve raised rates in 2022 to combat inflation, leading to a peak in savings interest rates [5] - In late 2024, the Fed began cutting rates, resulting in a decline in savings account rates, with further cuts anticipated [6][7] - Current high savings account rates are not expected to last indefinitely, making it an opportune time for consumers to take advantage of these rates [7] Group 4: Opening a Savings Account - The process of opening a savings account varies by institution, but generally involves researching rates, determining account needs, and preparing necessary documentation [8][11] - Key steps include filling out an application, which can often be done online, and funding the account while being aware of minimum deposit requirements [11]

Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of money market accounts (MMAs) and highlights the importance of earning competitive rates on savings as interest rates decline following recent Federal Reserve rate cuts [1][4]. Group 1: Current MMA Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is 0.56%, but top rates can exceed 4% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [3][9]. - Some banks are offering MMA rates above 4%, with a general cap around 4.5% [9]. Group 2: Federal Reserve Rate Cuts - The Federal Reserve maintained a target range for the federal funds rate of 5.25%–5.50% from July 2023 to September 2024, but has since implemented three rate cuts, bringing the current rate to 3.50%–3.75% [4][5]. - The decline in deposit account rates suggests that savers may have limited time to take advantage of higher MMA rates [5]. Group 3: Considerations for Savers - Money market accounts provide liquidity and safety, making them suitable for savers who need easy access to funds while earning better returns than traditional savings accounts [6][8]. - They are particularly appealing for conservative savers due to FDIC insurance, which protects principal [8]. - For those with short-term savings goals or emergency funds, MMAs offer a safer option with competitive yields [8].