Investing
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Treasury yields higher as market prices in 25 basis point hike by Fed in May
Bond yields nudged higher on Monday as calmer conditions across markets softened demand for the perceived safety of government bonds. What’s happening The yield on the 2-year Treasury TMUBMUSD02Y, 4.156% climbed 5.5 basis points to 4.165%. Yields move in the opposite direction to prices. The yield on the 10-year Treasury TMUBMUSD10Y, 3.560% rose 3.7 basis…
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‘Gradually, then suddenly.’ Earnings expectations may be about to drop, says Morgan Stanley strategist.
Will optimism hold as earnings season gets fully under way this week and is banking stress done? Our call of the day, from Morgan Stanley’s chief U.S. equity strategist Mike Wilson, warns of a long shadow cast by March stress, despite a mostly upbeat stock market. “In contrast to what we expected, the S&P 500…
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Your tax refund will probably be smaller this year — unless you have a stock portfolio
April is National Financial Literacy Month. To mark the occasion, MarketWatch will publish a series of “Financial Fitness” articles to help readers improve their fiscal health, and offer advice on how to save, invest and spend their money wisely. Read more here. If you’re feeling underwhelmed by the size of your income-tax refund this year, you’re…
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Are you about to file your taxes? Take the MarketWatch Tax Quiz to see if you are prepared
April is National Financial Literacy Month. To mark the occasion, MarketWatch will publish a series of “Financial Fitness” articles to help readers improve their fiscal health, and offer advice on how to save, invest and spend their money wisely. Read more here. Millions of Americans file taxes every year in a process that might fill…
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Are you planning a family vacation? Brace yourself for a ‘summer of discontent.’
Traveling this summer may require a lot of patience and grit as the aviation industry tries to keep up with demand. After an epic meltdown last summer, many travelers may be emotionally prepared for another tumultuous travel season up ahead. “It’s gonna be the summer of discontent for air travel,” Robert W. Mann Jr., an…
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India is now the most populous nation. But this demographic metric is more important for its economy
India became the world’s most populous country on Friday, ending China’s reign as No. 1, according to an analysis of United Nations population projections. The analysis shows that India’s population reached 1,425,782,975 on Friday. India has overwhelming economic potential, not only due of its population size, but also because of its demographic makeup. This enormous…
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Social Security’s expected shortfall sparks debate over tax increases
With the clock ticking to remedy Social Security’s financial ills, many experts are pushing Congress to take urgent action, yet there’s little agreement on which medicine might work best. The points of contention were on display this week at a panel discussion focused on Social Security’s future. Competing proposals involve raising taxes, adjusting benefits, or…
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The ‘super surge’ of money market funds is on with yields over 4.6% luring savers. Here’s what you need to know.
Last month’s bank failures, combined with a healthy yield advantage over bank deposit accounts, has prompted a “super surge” of assets into money market mutual funds, according to research firm Crane Data. Money market funds, which invest in very short-term, high-quality debt, in March enjoyed their third-best month of inflows ever, according to Crane, as…
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Tesla, Netflix earnings due: Cheaper cars, cheaper content, more workout videos, as ‘earnings recession’ seems likely
For anyone watching Netflix, the streaming services’ recent moves to cut costs could mean fewer films, lower-budget shows and — depending on your subscription — more ads. For anyone buying a Tesla, its moves to cut prices will make it easier on customers, but harder on profit-seeking investors. With both companies reporting results this week,…
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We all know an emergency fund is important. Here’s how to get started.
Given all that’s going on in the world today, the concept of saving and building up an emergency fund may feel like a pipe dream. But no matter where you are or what you are dealing with in terms of your finances, there is a path toward slowly building up a safety net between yourself…