Latest news with #Medication
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Volatility Predictions for Apple, Amazon and Other Mega Stocks for the Rest of 2025
If you've been watching the stock market closely this year, you've probably noticed it feels a lot like riding a roller coaster. One week stocks are skyrocketing; the next they're plummeting. This kind of volatility isn't random. Since mega-cap stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon drive much of the overall market's performance, investors are keeping a close eye on them. Check Out: Try This: With so much attention on these mega stocks, here are three volatility predictions for the rest of 2025 and what it means for your investments. Stock Prices Are High and That Makes Them Volatile Right now, many of the mega companies on the stock market are trading at very high prices compared to their earnings, meaning they have high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios. A high P/E ratio means that investors are willing to pay a premium for a company's stock due to strong future growth expectations. While this is not a bad thing, it means that such stocks are vulnerable to bad news. If Apple, Nvidia or any other mega-cap stock misses earnings even by a small amount, the stock price can drop much more sharply than it would if expectations were lower. And since most mega-cap stocks make up a huge portion of the overall market, especially the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, their volatility ends up affecting everyone. Explore More: The Fed Isn't Cutting Interest Rates Many investors expected the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, but that hasn't happened. The Fed is holding rates steady in the 4.25% to 4.50% range due to inflation and tariff uncertainty. This has a big effect on the stock market, especially tech and growth stocks. High interest rates make borrowing expensive. That can slow down innovation for mega companies or delay new projects. Plus, when rates stay high, investors are more likely to move money out of stocks into safer investments like bonds and high-yield savings accounts. That shift can lead to more stock selling and more volatility overall. Uncertain Tariff Policies Earlier this year, President Donald Trump imposed tariff policies on several imported goods. While tariffs don't impact stocks directly, stocks often drop whenever a new tariff policy hits the headlines. This is because investors are worried about supply chain disruptions, higher costs for businesses and slower global growth. Such trade policy changes can lead to volatility in the stock market. And for mega companies like Apple, which relies heavily on overseas manufacturing, headlines about trade policies can move prices even if company fundamentals look strong. This is especially true for mega-cap stocks that have economic influence. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on 3 Volatility Predictions for Apple, Amazon and Other Mega Stocks for the Rest of 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Worst Florida Cities To Buy for Soaring Property Taxes
As property values are rising across the U.S., so too are property taxes. Rates are rising almost 27% faster than inflation since 2020, according to The Tax Foundation. Though Florida isn't among the top 10 states where property taxes are rising the most, property taxes in the Sunshine State are surging, and they're forecast to go up more in coming years. Learn More: Read Next: A recent analysis by LendingTree found that the median property taxes in the U.S. rose by an average of 10.4% between 2021 and 2023 (the latest year of available data). The analysis considered the 50 largest metros where property taxes have gone up and found that four cities in Florida are among them. 4. Orlando Property taxes, annually, in 2021: $2,213 Property taxes in 2022: $2,458 Property taxes in 2023: $2,592 Property taxes increase between 2021 and 2023: 17.1% Check Out: 3. Miami Property taxes, annually, in 2021: $3,011 Property taxes in 2022: $3,315 Property taxes in 2023: $3,570 Property taxes increase between 2021 and 2023: 18.6% 2. Jacksonville Property taxes, annually, in 2021: $2,022 Property taxes in 2022: $2,256 Property taxes in 2023: $2,401 Property taxes increase between 2021 and 2023: 18.7% 1. Tampa Property taxes, annually, in 2021: $1,935 Property taxes in 2022: $2,185 Property taxes in 2023: $2,385 Property taxes increase between 2021 and 2023: 23.3% More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on 4 Worst Florida Cities To Buy for Soaring Property Taxes Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Waiting To Budget Until You're Debt-Free? That's Not a Strategy — It's Denial
If you've ever told yourself, 'I'll start budgeting once I'm out of debt,' you're not alone — and you're definitely not off the hook. Here's the thing: Business Insider reports that the average debt in America is over $105,000 across mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards. Waiting to get your financial life in order after paying off debt might sound reasonable, but it's kind of like saying you'll start eating healthy after you lose weight. See the problem? Consider This: Discover More: 'I made this exact mistake in my early 20s,' said Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance. He kept telling himself there was no point in budgeting when all his money was going to debt payments anyway. 'Looking back, it was pure avoidance behavior — I didn't want to face the reality of my financial situation,' he said. Budgeting isn't just for people with extra cash — it's a tool that can actually help you get out of debt faster. Here's why avoiding it is less of a plan and more of a trap. Also learn about some ways you can tackle your budget and manage your debt. Delaying budgeting until you're debt-free means missing out on essential financial habits, said Chris Heerlein, CEO of REAP Financial. Budgeting helps you gain control over your money, track your expenses and save for the future, even while you're paying off debt. By budgeting now, you can develop the discipline needed to prioritize debt repayment while also making room for savings and emergencies. 'Without a budget, it's easy to overspend and lose focus on financial goals,' Heerlein remarked. Lokenauth similarly agreed, adding, 'Without a budget, these money leaks just keep draining your accounts.' Find Out: According to Heerlein, by organizing your finances and allocating a portion of your income specifically for debt, you'll pay it off faster. Without a budget, you might end up putting off debt payments or making only minimal progress, leading to more stress and delayed financial freedom. By budgeting from the start, you ensure that every dollar works toward your goal of becoming debt-free, rather than just covering immediate expenses. 'An emergency fund is crucial to avoid setbacks like unexpected medical bills or car repairs, which can derail your financial progress,' said Heerlein. Starting a budget now ensures that once your debt is paid off, you're financially prepared for whatever comes next, giving you stability and confidence in your future financial decisions. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on Waiting To Budget Until You're Debt-Free? That's Not a Strategy — It's Denial Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security COLA 2026: Will Tariffs Impact It?
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 is projected to be the lowest in five years at 2.4%, according to NBC New York. That would be one-tenth of a percent lower than 2025's COLA, 2.5%, potentially lowering Social Security increases for seniors, survivors and disabled beneficiaries. Be Aware: Try This: In April 2025, inflation decreased to 2.3%. But what does this mean for retirees living on a fixed income? Before you panic, know the rate isn't set in stone. If tariffs increase inflation in the next six months, the COLA for 2026 could change. Another factor is prescription drug costs, NBC New York reported. Here's a closer look at these impacting factors. Inflation dropped to a 12-month low of 2.3% in April, the slowest pace seen since 2021, based on the consumer price index. However, that downward trend could reverse if new tariffs on imported goods lead to inflationary pressure. Tariffs often lead to higher costs for businesses, which tend to pass these expenses on to consumers, which could drive prices — and inflation — back up in the coming months. If inflation starts to rise again, it could influence the projected 2026 COLA for Social Security beneficiaries. COLA estimates are updated monthly, as new inflation data is released. Read Next: Another factor that could contribute to inflation is the rising costs of prescription drugs. But that may be changing. On May 12, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to lower prescription drug costs. The order stated that pharmaceutical companies 'deeply discount' drug prices to foreign markets and aims to make other countries to pay their fair share. Still, even if drug prices drop, it's unclear how much that would affect COLA and retirees' expenses in general at this time. It should become clearer how inflation and drug prices unfold in the upcoming months. Although experts can speculate, they won't know for certain until Social Security announces the official 2026 COLA report in October 2025. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? This article originally appeared on Social Security COLA 2026: Will Tariffs Impact It?
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Think Lower Inflation Means Cheaper Prices? Think Again
If you've seen headlines celebrating lower inflation and assumed that meant your grocery bill or rent would magically shrink — sorry to burst your bubble. While lower inflation sounds like good news (and it is, sort of), it doesn't mean prices are going down. Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of Fluent in Finance, has noticed this misconception all the time when talking to his clients about financial planning. 'The thing is, most people mix up 'disinflation' (slower price increases) with 'deflation' (actual price drops). And I get it — the terminology is confusing as hell. When headlines scream 'Inflation falling to 3%!' it sounds like prices must be dropping too.' Here's what's really going on. Find Out: Read Next: According to Dennis Shirshikov, professor of finance at City University of New York and head of growth and engineering at Growth Limit, the false idea that lower inflation means lower prices comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of what inflation actually measures. 'Inflation is the general price level, not the absolute prices.' This is what's happening: When the inflation rate decreases, all that is happening is that prices are still increasing, but at a slower rate. This can be misleading to a lot of people, Shirshikov explained, because most people would expect that less inflation means that prices would be going down rather than going up at a slower rate. See More: 'Picture the cost of a gallon of milk. Milk costs 5% more this year than it did last year when inflation [was] 5%. Even if inflation drops to 2%, the cost of milk would still go up, but at a much slower pace — only 2%, not 5%,' said Shirshikov. So basically, although that may be a welcome development in the sense that it will take pressure off household budgets, it's important to recognize that the prices are not actually falling, they are simply rising less rapidly. If you were relying on prices to act as a sort of after-inflation cut in the price of money itself, it's time to reset your expectations. The best thing is to concentrate on how to manage and control other parts of your budget and investment strategy. As the price of goods goes up in the coming months, you may want to see if there are opportunities to reduce expenses, diversify investments and lock in fixed prices for necessary services now to avoid paying more later. 'Let's face it, being proactive with your financial planning is important for managing inflation — even when it's not as aggressive as before,' Shirshikov said. More From GOBankingRates 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on Think Lower Inflation Means Cheaper Prices? Think Again
