The Daily Editor

For years, Microsoft (MSFT -0.80%) spent more money buying back its own stock than it paid out in dividends. In fiscal 2021 (the year ended June 30, 2021), for instance, the software giant put $27.4 billion toward repurchases and $16.5 billion toward dividends.That mix has flipped.Microsoft’s fiscal 2026 annual report shows $27.0 billion of dividends declared against $16.7 billion of stock repurchased under the company’s buyback program.

 » Read more about: Microsoft Pays Out More in Dividends Than It Spends Buying Back Stock. Here’s What That Does for Investors.  »

President Donald Trump has spent months demanding lower interest rates. Instead, the Federal Reserve just moved them in the opposite direction.

The Fed voted unanimously Wednesday to raise its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point, bringing its target range to 3.75% to 4%. The increase marks the first rate hike since 2023 and comes amid continued concerns about inflation.

 » Read more about: Federal Reserve raises interest rates despite Trump’s calls for cuts  »

In the end, Kevin Warsh’s Federal Reserve acquitted itself well. For all the uncertainty he had sparked at the previous meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, when he refused to provide any indication of what he was prepared to do to tame stubborn inflation, the chair on Wednesday presided over a unanimous decision to raise interest rates for the first time in three years.“Today’s action starts to show that we’re serious about this,” he said at the press conference after the meeting,

 » Read more about: Kevin Warsh may be the adult in the room. But can he calm the US economy?  »

Stock chart with arrow going up and bubbles ©Adobe Stock Images Capital Economics has outlined the potential consequences of a collapse in artificial intelligence-related stock valuations, forecasting substantial declines in global equities, limited gains in some government bonds and a weaker US dollar. In a note published this week, chief economic adviser John Higgins said he sees “plenty of signs that we are now in the late stages of a bubble in AI,”

 » Read more about: Capital Economics Warns AI Bubble Collapse Could Trigger 30% US Stock Market Decline  »

Track the latest stock market news happening on the Dow Jones today. Plus, get timely analysis of the DJIA and 30 Dow stocks, including Apple (AAPL), Boeing (BA), Microsoft (MSFT), Walmart (WMT) and the newest addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). Since its founding in 1896 with 12 stocks, the Dow Jones industrial average (DJIA) has included America’s largest companies across… Copyright ©2026 Investor’s Business Daily,

 » Read more about: Dow Jones Today: Dow Stocks And Stock Market News  »

Paradex options open interest surged 2.6x to $202M after integrating Paradigm’s RFQ engine, enabling multi-leg strategies and block trades …

 » Read more about: Paradex sees options open interest surge 2.6x to $202M after RFQ launch  »

Buffett, now 96, is standing down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. He handed over the CEO reins last December. – AFP via Getty Images If you’re a fan of investment legend Warren Buffett (and who isn’t?), this is as good a time as any to sell the stock of his investment vehicle Berkshire Hathaway. And to move your money instead into five stocks that Buffett himself has praised extravagantly,

 » Read more about: As Warren Buffett’s reign ends, fans should sell Berkshire — and buy these stocks instead  »

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023 on Wednesday, and the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.17%) immediately dropped. It rose again before the day was over, but it’s been steadily declining over the past month since hitting a high in mid-August.

 » Read more about: Federal Reserve Inflation Outlook Signals a Critical Warning for Investors  »

[This morning’s conclusion]Connecting this morning’s market in a single line:BOJ raises rates from 1.00% to 1.25%?However, 2 members dissented, and no future rate hike pace was specified?Market judges it is not as hawkish as expected?Yen selling, Dollar buying?Dollar-Yen moves to the high 157 range?Meanwhile, US 10-year Treasury yield is back in the 5% range?Even so,

 » Read more about: Financial Market Morning Report_September 19, 2026 (Sat)_”Yen weakens despite BOJ rate hike, tech stocks rise even with US 10-year at 5%—Market is selecting its ‘next move’”  »

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is something that millions of Social Security recipients watch every year. In simple terms, the COLA provides a much-needed raise to help seniors keep up with the rising costs of living.However, while millions of seniors will be watching for the COLA, the exact timing of the announcement and how the adjustment is calculated are not well understood by many.

 » Read more about: When will the Social Security COLA be announced?  »