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While the S&P 500 has slipped about 2% so far in 2026, international equities have quietly moved in the opposite direction. The gap is real, and the macro forces behind it are building. Germany’s historic fiscal expansion into defense and infrastructure, persistent questions about dollar strength, and US equity valuations that remain elevated relative to…

There’s one group of stocks that has weathered the market volatility stemming from the U.S.-Iran war: Tech. The S & P 500 technology sector is down just 0.8% since the conflict began, while the overall benchmark has fallen nearly 4%. On an equal-weighted basis, tech’s outperformance is even stronger. The Invesco S & P 500…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday and Chair Jerome Powell highlighted the increasingly uncertain outlook for the U.S. economy and inflation in the wake of the Iran war, suggesting the Fed could stand pat for an extended period. Fed policymakers maintained their forecast for an additional rate cut…

A long-awaited proposal from the Federal Reserve released Thursday would tweak financial crisis-era capital requirements, reducing banks’ cash cushions to align with changes in the economy while aiming to boost lending. Under the proposal, the largest banks, like JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Bank of America (BAC), would see capital fall on net by 4.8%, while…

Key Points Long-term investors can typically wait out volatility. However, not everyone is a long-term investor, whether they are nearing retirement or take a more active approach to investing. Volatility has become the norm in recent years, and 2026 looks to be no different. Concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), private credit, a weakening labor market,…

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. NYSE U.S. equities tumbled on Monday as investors grappled with persistent fears around artificial intelligence disruptions to various industries and President Donald Trump’s decision to raise his global tariffs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 821.91 points, or 1.66%, to close at 48,804.06,…

kreinick / Getty Images/iStockphoto Though you can start collecting Social Security as early as 62, waiting until age 70 lets you maximize your benefit and allows it to reach the highest possible amount. Be Aware: How Working Part Time in Retirement Can Quietly Change Your Social Security Benefits Check Out: 4 Safe Accounts Proven To…

Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) has returned 454% over the past decade and 90% over the past five years, driven by earnings growth and margin expansion, with Apple (8.8%), Microsoft (7.5%), and Nvidia (5.9%) as its largest holdings and an 18 basis point expense ratio. The fund’s concentrated 49% technology weighting and 0.5% dividend yield prioritize…

Age 62 is the earliest you’re allowed to sign up for Social Security benefits. And it can be very tempting to start getting that money as soon as it becomes available. However, you should know that claiming Social Security at 62 will generally mean reducing your monthly checks substantially, and on a permanent basis. Those…