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Every administration has its preferred economic forecast, and the ones that arrive with a release date attached deserve the most skepticism. Promises about commodity prices on cable television tend to age like fish, not wine. That pattern has been on display since February, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the largest oil supply […]

Though there’s no official retirement age in the U.S., it’s pretty common for people to retire in their 60s. IRAs and 401(k)s are off-limits until age 59 and 1/2, Social Security’s earliest claiming age is 62, and Medicare doesn’t begin until 65. So for the typical person, all of that sets the stage for a

The brewery industry has been in steady decline, which has led to the closure of hundreds of local operators. Total craft production (21,859,000 bbls) fell 5% in 2025, with 60% of breweries reporting declines, 39% reporting growth, and 1% holding steady, according to the Brewers Association annual report. Beer sales by business model:  Brewpubs: -1.7% 

Grocery prices remain one of the biggest pressure points for American households. Shoppers immediately notice an increase in the cost of milk, meat, eggs, frozen meals, and produce every time they walk through a supermarket. But one of the highest costs inside a grocery store is something most customers rarely think about: refrigeration. It is

Many families discover Medicaid estate recovery only after a loved one dies and the state seeks repayment for long-term care costs from the estate. For many households, Harry Margolis, author of Get Your Ducks in a Row, said the family home is the largest asset they own. And under Medicaid rules, that home can become

In 1975, American Express (AXP) entered the cultural zeitgeist with a series of commercials that ended with the slogan, “Don’t leave home without it.” The campaign, created by the groundbreaking ad agency Ogilvy & Mather, warned Americans of the consequences of carrying cash around abroad — it could be stolen, leaving them stranded and penniless

Silver hit $120 an ounce at the start of 2026. It is now stuck below $75. The metal has given back more than a third of its peak value, and the debate is whether that is a buying opportunity or a warning sign. Bank of America’s answer is more complicated than either side wants to

HP gave investors a stronger quarter than expected, but Bank of America is not ready to call it a clean turnaround. HP (HPQ) reported fiscal second-quarter results that topped its prior earnings outlook, helped by stronger revenue, better pricing, and improved free cash flow. The company also gave investors a firmer view of fiscal 2026

In this episode Jeff interviews Chris Tobe, CFA, CAIA, about the biggest ERISA and retirement-plan risks today: low‑paying fixed annuities that hide large undisclosed insurer spreads, heavy private‑credit exposure inside insurance general accounts, and the hidden fiduciary pitfalls of contract‑based investments (annuities, private equity, crypto). They explain why mid‑sized plans are especially vulnerable, why target‑date

It was, dare we say, quite a cheery outlook to the end of the trading day. All three major U.S. stock indices closed at fresh record highs on May 28, the same day inline core PCE inflation data met consensus expectations AND multiple White House sources reported a new, tentative 60-day Iran War cease fire.