Core Insights - High-yield savings account rates have been declining, yet some accounts still offer rates above 4% APY, necessitating research to find competitive offers [1] Group 1: Current Savings Rates - The average interest rate on traditional savings accounts is currently 0.39% as per FDIC data, while high-yield accounts can offer significantly higher rates [2] - As of January 13, 2026, the highest savings account rate available from partners is 4% APY, provided by SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays [2] Group 2: Historical Trends - Savings account interest rates have varied over the past decade, with rates from 2010 to 2015 remaining low at around 0.06% to 0.10% due to the 2008 financial crisis and the Federal Reserve's near-zero target rate [3] - From 2015 to 2018, interest rates began to rise gradually but remained low historically; the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused another sharp decline, bringing rates down to approximately 0.05% to 0.06% by mid-2021 [4] Group 3: Recent Developments - Since mid-2021, savings account rates have improved significantly due to the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes in response to rising inflation; however, the Fed lowered the federal funds rate towards the end of 2024 and throughout 2025, leading to a steady decline in deposit rates [5] Group 4: Account Suitability - High-yield savings accounts are suitable for short-term savings goals such as emergency funds or vacations, allowing easy access to funds; other deposit accounts like money markets and CDs may offer competitive rates but with withdrawal restrictions [6]

Core Insights - Money market funds are expected to see declining yields throughout the year, prompting investors to consider locking in current rates [1][2] - Total assets in money market funds reached a record $7.8 trillion, indicating significant investor interest in these low-risk investment vehicles [2][6] - The Federal Reserve's projected rate cuts could lead to lower yields in money market accounts, as inflation concerns diminish [3][6] Investment Trends - Investors have increasingly favored money market funds due to their attractive relative returns, but may seek alternatives if yields decrease [3] - The probability of the current benchmark rate remaining stable at 3.5% to 3.75% has increased, suggesting potential delays in rate cuts [4] - Forecasts indicate that high-end annual percentage yields for money market accounts may decline to 3.7%, down approximately 1 percentage point from last year's peak [5]

Core Insights - A top economist warns that debt-fueled capital expenditure (capex) spending, particularly from AI hyperscalers, is expected to significantly impact investment-grade bond issuance in 2026, potentially driving up interest rates [1][5] Group 1: Investment-Grade Bond Issuance - AI hyperscalers are anticipated to be major contributors to investment-grade bond issuance this year, with estimates ranging from $1.6 trillion to $2.25 trillion [2][3] - In 2025, major tech companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle collectively issued $100 billion in bonds, more than double the amount raised in the previous year [4] Group 2: Impact on Interest Rates - The influx of corporate debt could lead to upward pressure on interest rates and credit spreads, as the volume of fixed-income products entering the market is significant [3] - There are concerns that increased issuance from hyperscalers may divert buyers from other bond markets, such as Treasuries, which could further elevate interest rates [2][5] Group 3: Broader Economic Implications - The heavy borrowing in the tech sector, particularly for AI-related infrastructure, raises questions about the sustainability of this growth, with potential dire consequences if growth stalls [5]

Welcome back everyone. On today's episode, J. Pal, the Fed chair, is going after the president because he believes the president is going after him through the Department of Justice. J. Pal released this unprecedented 2-minute video detailing out how he's under investigation by the Department of Justice and even being threatened with indictments, which he believes is politically motivated. We'll be discussing, breaking it down, looking at the actual data, looking at what the Department of Justice is actuall ...

Wall Street has for the most part bounced back since falling at the opening bell after an investigation into the current chair of the Federal Reserve raised questions about the independence of the central bank.The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.2pc higher, with silver producer Fresnillo among its top risers after the white metal reached a new high earlier on Monday.Germany’s Dax jumped almost 0.6pc at the close, hitting a fresh record of 25,405.34 and extending a 10-day rally.European stocks ended the trad ...

There’ll be no short-term Bitcoin recovery ahead unless US President Donald Trump decides to diffuse global tensions, a market analyst has warned. Investors’ appetite for risky investments plummeted at the start of 2026, Vladislav Antonov, a financial analyst at the Bitcoin mining firm BitRiver, told the Russian publication RBC. “For Bitcoin to make a comprehensive return to positive price growth, one of two things needs to happen,” Antonov said. “We need to either see a return to institutions buying [c ...

Core Viewpoint - Bank of America indicates that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to continue cutting interest rates, with expectations of rates remaining unchanged during Jerome Powell's tenure until May 2026 [1][2][6] Interest Rate Outlook - Economists at Bank of America predict that the Fed will maintain interest rates at its January 28 meeting and potentially throughout Powell's term, aligning with the Fed's December dot plot which suggests only one rate cut in 2026 [2][4] - The CME's FedWatch tool reflects that traders have pushed the timeline for any significant rate relief to June at the earliest [2] Impact on Borrowers - The current situation poses challenges for homebuyers and families looking to refinance, as the anticipated relief from rate cuts may have already occurred, leaving borrowers in a "higher-for-longer" environment [3][4] - The December jobs report indicated a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.4%, which is expected to keep the Fed on hold in January, reinforcing the view that no further cuts will occur under Powell [4][6] Economic Context - The Fed's dual mandate of low inflation and low unemployment faced significant challenges in 2025, with inflation rising from 2.3% in April to 2.7% in November, while unemployment peaked at 4.6% before a recent decline [4][5] - Powell's cautious approach to rate cuts, particularly in light of inflation concerns, may have contributed to his precarious position as his term nears its end [5][6]

Core Insights - Today's CD rates are significantly higher than the national average, influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts in 2025, which may present a final opportunity to secure these elevated rates with certificates of deposit [1] Group 1: Best CD Rates - As of January 12, 2026, the highest CD rate available is 4.1% APY, offered by LendingClub for an 8-month CD and Sallie Mae Bank for an 11-month CD [2] Group 2: National Average CD Rates - The national average CD rates are considerably lower than the best available rates, with the highest national average interest rate for a 1-year term standing at 1.63% as of December 2025 [3] - Current average CD rates are among the highest seen in nearly two decades, primarily due to the Federal Reserve's strategy to combat inflation by maintaining elevated interest rates [3] Group 3: Finding the Best CD Rates - To secure the best CD rates, it is advisable to shop around and compare rates from various financial institutions, particularly online banks which typically offer more competitive rates due to lower overhead costs [4] - It is essential to check minimum deposit requirements, as higher rates may necessitate larger initial deposits [4] - Reviewing account terms and conditions is crucial, including early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies, with some CDs offering more flexible options like no-penalty withdrawals [4]

Core Viewpoint - The investigation highlights the extent to which the president is willing to exert control over the central bank [1] Group 1 - The investigation indicates potential political interference in monetary policy decisions [1] - The president's actions may impact the independence of the central bank [1] - The situation raises concerns about the long-term implications for economic stability [1]

Market Overview - The US market is experiencing significant news with the Federal Reserve being served a subpoena by Donald Trump's Department of Justice, which is perceived as a threat of criminal indictment against Jerome Powell [2][3] - This situation is expected to influence market commentary and trading, particularly affecting gold prices and NASDAQ futures [3] Company Performances - Imricor Medical Systems saw a substantial increase of nearly +20% after receiving FDA approval for its heart catheter device designed for MRI machines [4] - Light & Wonder's stock rose following the resolution of a dispute with Aristocrat Leisure over IP theft, resulting in a payment of nearly $200 million [5] - GreenX Metals' shares increased to $1 as it anticipates a payment of nearly $400 million from the Polish government in a long-running dispute [5] Declining Stocks - 4D Medical's shares are declining after a rapid increase in previous weeks, trading around $4.30 [5] - Mesoblast's stock is down approximately -5% despite posting record US revenues last week [6] - Super Retail Group's shares fell over -5% following a trading update that did not meet investor expectations [6]