Core Viewpoint - The debate between using credit cards versus debit cards continues, with financial expert Dave Ramsey advocating for debit cards due to their ability to prevent debt accumulation and provide similar security benefits as credit cards [1][4]. Group 1: Dave Ramsey's Perspective - Ramsey emphasizes that he does not own a credit card and prefers debit cards, which require funds to be available in the account, thus avoiding debt [4]. - He argues that debit cards offer the same fraud protections and security benefits as credit cards, making them a safer choice [4]. - According to Ramsey, incentives like cash back and airline points from credit cards do not significantly impact wealth accumulation, as evidenced by a study of millionaires where none attributed their wealth to airline miles [5]. Group 2: Contrasting Views from Other Experts - While Ramsey is against credit cards, some financial experts, like Grant Cardone, argue that responsible credit card use can help track purchases for budgeting and tax purposes, and maximize rewards [5]. - Justin Zeidman from Navy Federal Credit Union recommends having multiple credit cards, suggesting a more favorable view on credit card usage compared to Ramsey [6].

Market Overview - U.S. stocks opened mixed as investor anxiety increased over the financial health of regional banks due to rising credit risk concerns [2] - Major indexes closed lower amid heightened volatility, influenced by ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, troubling loan data from banks, and corporate earnings analysis [2] - The prolonged U.S. government shutdown, now in its third week, continues to impact market confidence and adds uncertainty for investors [2] Economic Reports - Investors are closely monitoring upcoming economic reports, although the reliability of government data is in question due to the ongoing shutdown [3] - Key reports expected next week include Business Inventories, Industrial Production, Retail Inventories, Redbook Index, MBA Mortgage Applications, Chicago Fed National Activity, Existing Home Sales, Core CPI, Real Earnings, S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, and Michigan Consumer Sentiment [3] Earnings Reports - Notable companies reporting earnings next week include Netflix, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, 3M, Lockheed Martin, General Motors, Tesla, IBM, AT&T, T-Mobile US, Blackstone, Intel, and Honeywell [4][5] - Specific earnings spotlight for Monday, Oct 20 includes Steel Dynamics, Cleveland-Cliffs, and Preferred Bank [5] - Tuesday, Oct 21 will feature earnings reports from Netflix, Coca-Cola, Philip Morris, 3M, Lockheed Martin, and General Motors [5]

Core Insights - The investment strategy focuses on acquiring strong businesses at undervalued prices, emphasizing the importance of quality and economic fundamentals [1] Investment Focus - The company has diversified its portfolio across various industries, including telecom, banking, payments, and technology, with a current emphasis on high-quality businesses [1] - There is a particular interest in big tech companies that have extensive user bases and content libraries, highlighting the potential for cross-selling opportunities [1] Valuation Approach - The preferred valuation method is at the EBIT plus R&D level, reflecting a belief in the potential of certain R&D investments [1] Performance Metrics - The annual return from February 2019 to October 2024 is reported at 11.4% CAGR, which is below the market's 15.18% CAGR, indicating a need for improved performance [1] - The investment philosophy aims to minimize portfolio turnover, suggesting that most profits will come from holding existing investments rather than frequent trading [1] Investment Philosophy - The company does not endorse traditional "Buy" and "Sell" recommendations, instead advocating for a "Strong Buy" threshold for exceptional businesses, with everything else categorized as "Strong Sell" to free up capital for new opportunities [1] - A "Hold" position may be initiated for high-quality businesses if their pricing is not favorable [1]

The average HELOC rate is 7.75%, according to the analytics company Curinos. Interest rates on home equity lines of credit have decreased gradually this year, staying below 8% since early August. HELOC rates: Saturday, October 18, 2025 According to Curinos data, the average weekly HELOC rate is 7.75%. The highest HELOC rate in 2025 occurred in January, and the current rate has fallen by 31 basis points since then. This rate is based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined ...

Taxation and Government Revenue - The IRS announced higher federal tax brackets for 2026, with the top rate of 37% for individuals earning above $640,600 and married couples earning above $768,700. The standard deduction will increase to $16,100 for singles and $32,200 for married couples [3] - US tax revenue has increased more than six-fold since 1980, while the national debt has risen 38 times during the same period, indicating a significant disparity in revenue management [24] Insurance and Natural Disasters - A Wells Fargo Securities study reported that insured losses from the Southern California wildfires this year are estimated at $30 billion, with 85% of losses expected from homeowners' insurance [7] - The issuance of building permits in affected areas is hindered by bureaucratic red tape, complicating recovery efforts for homeowners [7] Real Estate Market Trends - Building permits have been declining since late 2021, which is a historically reliable recession signal, coinciding with increased Google searches for mortgage assistance surpassing levels seen during the 2008 housing crisis [10] - The national office vacancy rate reached 21% by the end of June, with major cities like San Francisco and Denver experiencing rates of 28% and 37% respectively [17] Consumer Financial Health - Late payments among apartment renters have been rising since April 2024, indicating financial strain among renters [13] - A new financial technology firm, Yendo, allows individuals with poor credit to access equity in their depreciating used cars at a high interest rate, highlighting the challenges faced by consumers with low credit scores [21] Economic Indicators and Market Behavior - Despite the USD declining over 10% and negative economic data, stock markets continue to rise, suggesting a disconnect between market performance and economic health [27] - There is a noted correlation of 92% between Bitcoin and the Nasdaq 100 since 2019, indicating Bitcoin's speculative nature rather than its status as a safe haven asset [30]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Finance reported a slight increase in public budget revenue and a notable rise in expenditure for the first three quarters of 2023, indicating a proactive fiscal policy aimed at supporting economic recovery and investment expansion [3][5][8]. Revenue Summary - Total public budget revenue reached 16.39 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 0.5%, with tax revenue at 13.27 trillion yuan (up 0.7%) and non-tax revenue at 3.12 trillion yuan (down 0.4%) [5][6]. - Tax revenue growth was driven by a rebound in major tax categories, with notable increases in personal income tax (up 9.7%) and value-added tax (up 3.6%) [6][7]. - Non-tax revenue decline was primarily due to a drop in penalty income, which fell by 7% [5][6]. Expenditure Summary - Total public budget expenditure was 20.8 trillion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.1% [3][8]. - Government fund expenditure saw a significant rise of 23.9%, supported by the issuance of special bonds and other financial instruments [3][8]. - Key areas of expenditure included social security, education, health, and technology, all showing the highest growth rates in three years [8]. Debt Management and Future Policies - The Ministry of Finance announced the allocation of 500 billion yuan from local government debt limits to support debt resolution and investment expansion [9][10]. - Plans for 2026 include an early allocation of local government debt limits, with a total of 5.2 trillion yuan in new local bonds expected [10][11]. - The focus will be on addressing existing debts and supporting major projects to ensure stable local government finances [12].

The MrBeast burger. MrBeast toys. Rumors of a MrBeast phone company. Could a MrBeast bank be next? Most Read from Fast Company The world’s most-subscribed-to YouTuber, with 446 million subscribers, has filed an application with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office for a service called MrBeast Financial. The recent trademark application for the latest venture from 27-year-old MrBeast—whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson—lists plans for a “mobile app and online services for a range of banking, financial adv ...

Core Insights - Singapore is advancing its digital finance strategy with the launch of BLOOM, which stands for Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency [1] - The initiative aims to enhance settlement capabilities through the use of tokenized bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins [1] - BLOOM is focused on improving cross-border payment systems and promoting the use of digital settlement assets [1]

Core Insights - Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has filed a trademark application for a banking platform named "MrBeast Financial," which will include crypto payment services, marking a significant shift from entertainment to financial services [1][2][3] Group 1: Trademark Application - The trademark application for "MrBeast Financial" was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 13 [2] - The application will undergo its initial examination around mid-2026, with a final decision expected by the end of next year [4] Group 2: Banking Services Offered - The proposed banking platform will offer various online banking services, including issuing credit and debit cards, processing cryptocurrency payments, facilitating crypto exchanges through decentralized platforms, and providing other investment services [3] Group 3: Previous Controversies - MrBeast was previously involved in a controversy where he allegedly made over $10 million by backing low-cap tokens, which were later identified as pump-and-dump schemes [5] - One notable incident involved MrBeast investing $100,000 in the SuperFarm ($SUPER) token, which spiked in value shortly after his involvement [6]

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. The race for crypto dominance has entered politics, with U.S. president Donald Trump and Reform U.K.’s leader Nigel Farage both pitching bold visions to make their nations the global hub for digital assets. Farage Pledges to Make Britain a Crypto Powerhouse Speaking at the Digital Asset Summit in London on Monday, Farage told attendees, "I am your champion," outlining plans to create a “state-owned Bitcoi ...