MoneyWatch

Borrowers hoping for some quick relief were left disappointed this week after the Federal Reserve elected to keep interest rates paused. While the benchmark interest rate range will stay the same between 5.25% and 5.50% —a 23-year high— there were indications that rate cuts could come later this year and into 2025. Against this backdrop, borrowers should remain judicious about …

Former President Donald Trump could soon receive a windfall valued as much as $3.5 billion, with shareholders of a publicly traded funding partner on Friday approving a merger with his Trump Media & Technology Group. The approval occurred Friday morning, according to a livestream of the shareholder vote. Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp., a so-called “blank check” company that …

Dollar Tree announced that it is closing 600 of its Family Dollar store locations in 2024. On top of that, the discount retailer also plans to close an additional 370 Family Dollar stores, plus 30 Dollar Tree locations over the next few years, at the end of their leases. In total, the planned closures represent about 15% of its Family …

Customers who have racked up travel miles with United Airlines can now share those points with up to four other passengers under a new program the airlines announced Thursday. Anyone 18 or older with a MileagePlus membership can link their online account and combine their miles with those accumulated by family or friends from previous flights, United said. As with …

The pandemic launched the U.S. into a period of economic uncertainty and market volatility. Rock-bottom interest rates were followed by runaway inflation and a cycle of 11 consecutive Fed rate hikes. While an unnerving environment, it proved to be beneficial for precious metal investors. “In 2020, gold rose 21% between the time COVID was announced on February 11 and the …

When mortgage rates dropped to 3% or lower during the pandemic, buyers flocked to the market to secure cheap rates on homes. And, while the majority of these buyers were purchasing a primary home, some buyers opted to capitalize on the inexpensive borrowing landscape by purchasing a second home, whether the goal was to start a short-term rental business or …

Unilever’s ownership of quirky ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is coming to the end of its sometimes rocky road. The British consumer products companysaidTuesday it plans to spin off the brand as well as its other ice cream businesses. In its announcement, Unilever said the decision is based on its board’s view that the company should focus on “superior …

Update: The Fed left its benchmark interest rate unchanged. Americans are bearing the financial burden of higher costs for every type of loan, from mortgages to credit cards, after two years of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. With the central bank meeting today, economists and consumers alike have one question on their minds: When will the central bank …

Today’s high-rate environment has put a lot of pressure on borrowers, and that’s especially true for credit card users. Right now, the average credit card rate hovers above 21%, which means that if you’re carrying a balance from month to month, you’re paying a lot of money in interest on what you owe. That type of interest can cause your …

Homeowners have multiple ways to grow their wealth, from investing in the right assets to saving in the best accounts to refinancing when rates are advantageous. Those who have enjoyed the financial security of homeownership may also consider extending that support with a second home. Buying a second home can provide multiple financial advantages for homeowners if done smartly and …