Readers sound off: Rising medical bills are devouring Social Security checks
The drubbing that monthly Social Security benefits take from out-of-pocket medical costs shocks many retirees.
My recent column highlighting how healthcare costs are eating into Social Security checks hit a nerve. Thousands of you shared how you’re grappling with the reality: that even including Medicare coverage and not accounting for long-term care,
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Read MoreWhy is Dow Jones down today: Dow crashes more than 270 points today – S&P 500 and Nasdaq also in deep red
Why is Dow Jones down today: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 271.87 points to 49,390.79, down 0.55% in Thursday trading, as investors reacted to Walmart earnings, rising oil prices, and escalating US–Iran tensions. The S&P 500 Index dropped 25.42 points to 6,855.89, a 0.37% decline. The Nasdaq Composite slid 76.03 points to 22,677.60,
Read MoreFeeling broke in a steady economy? Here's what's happening.
Inflation ticked down to 2.4%, the unemployment rate fell, and U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whose reports economists view as the “gold standard” of data.
On paper, the economy appears to be stabilizing.
But many Americans say they’re struggling to afford groceries,
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Read MoreTech stocks are still well poised despite recent moves lower: Silvant Capital's Michael Sansoterra
The Burst
1 Overlooked AI Monster
Most investors think they need to hunt down small, speculative companies to ride the artificial intelligence wave. But the truth is, one of the best AI plays has been sitting in plain sight all along, Alphabet.
AI is here to stay, and Alphabet may be the most complete way to gain exposure.
Key Points
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Alphabet builds chips,
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Read MoreThe Ivy
Bill Ackman Keeps Buying This 1 Stock
When billionaire investor Bill Ackman adds to a position quarter after quarter, investors pay attention.In Q2, his fund Pershing Square bought another 156,000 shares of Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN), extending a buying streak that’s now five quarters long.
Brookfield isn’t your typical conglomerate. It’s a $70 billion global powerhouse with interests spanning renewable energy,
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Read MoreThe Spotlight
Vanguard’s Hidden Opportunity in a Beaten-Down Sector
Vanguard is known for its low-cost, no-fuss ETFs and when it comes to equity investing, they offer a lineup of about 50 stock-focused funds that make it easy to diversify with a single ticker.
One of the more cyclical areas of the market is consumer discretionary and it’s been getting hit hard in 2025.
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