Investing News

The cracks in the nation’s housing market continue to grow. Yesterday, the government reported that U.S. homebuilding sank to its lowest level in over a year, with housing starts plunging 9.6% as higher construction costs continue to weigh on builders. Earlier this week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said its sentiment index dropped for the eighth straight

The U.K. left the European Union (EU) on Jan. 31, 2020. As such, it’s no longer a member state. But prior to its exit, it was the most notable member of the European Union that elected not to use the euro. Rather, the U.K. continued to use the British pound sterling as its national currency.

The healthcare sector is comprised of companies that offer medical services, manufacture medical equipment or drugs, provide medical insurance, or engage in activities that facilitate the provision of healthcare to patients. The most recent data available from 2020 show that spending on healthcare in the U.S. reached $4.1 trillion, representing close to 20% of the

The floor of the stock exchange was once the main location for market transactions. It was home to traders and brokers who did the actual buying, selling, and negotiating on the physical exchange floor. Of course, this was before the evolution of electronic trading platforms.  Those same brokers and traders are now surrounded by computers that manage

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced that it has passed the Pet Insurance Model Act, a model law that establishes clear rules for pet insurance sales and requires disclosures for pet owners. The new regulation comes on the heels of sharp growth in annual premiums and new policies in the U.S. Key Takeaways

The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its final guideline that might allow crypto banks to enter the banking system. The central bank will set up a three-tiered system for determining whether financial institutions have access. As part of the final guideline, institutions with novel financial products will have access to the fed’s “master accounts” and

What Is the S&P 500 Index? Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 leading publicly traded companies in the U.S. While it assumed its present size (and name) in 1957, the S&P actually dates back to the 1920s, becoming a composite index tracking 90 stocks in 1926. The average annualized return since

When planning a wedding, choosing the right venue matters. A destination wedding is something you may consider if you’d like to tie the knot someplace memorable. Destination weddings are ceremonies that are hosted away from the couple’s hometown and usually require travel for the wedding party and guests. Key Takeaways A destination wedding takes place

House and Senate Democrats and staff celebrated the signing into law of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 by President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. “For a while, people doubted whether (this) was going to happen, but we are in a season of substance,” said the president. “Today offers further proof that the

Homeowners who want to add energy-efficient features to their home can save substantial money in utilities bills, but they have other costs to consider. Along with the potential for savings on energy costs, energy-efficient features can provide a number of benefits for the environment and for the occupants’ health. However, the technology that helps a

The electric auto industry is comprised of companies focused on the manufacture of electric cars, trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles, as well as companies that offer electric automobile parts and services. While some traditional automakers also produce electric vehicles (EV), this article focuses on companies considered to be largely pure-play electric vehicle manufacturers. The electric

Mortgage rates had a quiet day Monday, with most averages dipping just slightly lower or remaining flat. It follows a week-and-a-half period of dramatic up and down swings for the 30-year average. Today’s National Mortgage Rate Averages The 30-year average took a relative breather Monday, with only its second day in 12 registering a minimal

Mortgages are typically made up of four parts: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Together, these comprise so-called PITI and make up your total monthly mortgage payment. Since taxes and insurance are typically paid annually or semiannually, they are usually held in escrow by the lender or another company servicing the loan. You pay into your

If you are planning to start betting—be it in a casino, sports betting, or any other type—it’s essential to understand the odds. Placing bets intelligently requires having a good grip on the main types of betting odds and the ability to read and interpret their various formats. The three main types of betting odds are

Jobs in the financial sector can be highly lucrative, which helps explain why they’re in such great demand. Of course, breaking into the world of finance isn’t easy, as entry qualifications can be as lofty as the salaries. At a minimum, most jobs require a four-year degree, and many professionals have advanced degrees in business,

Macy’s Inc. (M) is one of the most recognizable retail chains in the United States, operating Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s department stores as well as Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdale’s, Bloomingdale’s Outlet, and Bluemercury franchises. In total, the company has 725 stores in operation, according to its annual report. Macy’s, the largest retail brand, accounts for approximately 510

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is designed to provide round-the-clock healthcare for babies who are born prematurely or with life-threatening health conditions. A NICU stay can be emotional and stressful for parents and there may be financial aftershocks once medical bills begin arriving. Newborn intensive care costs can be significantly higher than standard newborn

People who are affected by infertility do have options to try, but in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the diagnostics, medication, surgery, and other treatments can be expensive. In some cases, medical insurance will cover many of the costs, but in other cases it won’t. On a global scale, 15% of reproductive-aged couples are impacted by

Barclays is a major bank providing a variety of financial products and services throughout the United Kingdom as well as Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and the Middle East. In addition to retail banking, the company offers investment banking and wealth management including investment services. It is based in London.

Is Social Security taxable? For most Americans, it is. That is, a majority of those who receive Social Security benefits pay income tax on up to half or even 85% of that money because their combined income from Social Security and other sources pushes them above the very low thresholds for taxes to kick in.