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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies' Zack Wheeler has surgery to remove blood clot in upper right arm
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his upper right arm, and the team says a timeline for his recovery remains uncertain. The Phillies said Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The 35-year-old Wheeler was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a blood clot after experiencing worsening shoulder soreness. Wheeler, who made his third All-Star team last month, is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA in 24 starts this season. He has a major league-high 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings. He has thrown at least 192 innings in three of the previous four seasons. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bank of America suggests the era of the biggest stocks dominating markets 'may be done'
The stock market has been all about the biggest companies driving the largest gains for the better part of the last decade. That era could be coming to an end. "History would suggest there is more to go in cap-weighted dominance," Bank of America's head of US equity and quantative strategy Savita Subramanian wrote in a note to clients. "But if the Fed's next move is a rate cut, and if the Regime indicator is shifting to a Recovery, we think the run may be closer to done." Work from Subramanian's team found that the largest 50 stocks in the S&P 500 (^GSPC) have outperformed the benchmark index by 73 percentage points since 2015. BofA notes the last notable run of similar outperformance for the 50 largest stocks in the index came in the late 1990s leading into the bursting of the dot-com bubble. Following the bust, the market saw a large shift from megacap growth leading to value and small-cap stocks outperforming during the early 2000s. Subramanian thinks a similar tide shift might be coming to markets now. BofA's "regime indicator" breaks market cycles into four parts: Recovery, Mid Cycle, Late Cycle, and Downturn. The firm looks at a variety of factors such as corporate earnings revisions, inflation data, and economic growth projections. Currently, its work suggests markets moving from the Downturn phase — which is positive for megacaps with the most earnings power and strongest market position — to the Recovery phase. "[Federal Reserve] easing has been accompanied by Mega caps lagging more than leading, and higher inflation should support a broadening of the S&P 500 beyond defensives/secular growth," Subramanian wrote. Subramanian's call would mark a massive shift in the dominant market narrative. Since the start of the current bull market in October 2022, large-cap technology has been the clear winner in the stock market as the artificial intelligence boom has taken hold. For much of both 2023 and 2024, a small group of technology stocks, once dubbed the "Magnificent Seven," have been pulling the stock market higher. This had also been the case since the most recent market bottom in April. In a note to clients on Aug. 13, DataTrek Research co-founder Jessica Rabe highlighted how the top 20 stocks by market cap in the index have risen an average of 40.6% since the bottom, far outpacing the benchmark index's 27.9% gain over the same time period. This means the top 20 holdings have helped pull the index higher, while the other 480 stocks have been "a net drag" on the index in relative terms, Rabe wrote. Nvidia (NVDA), the world's largest company, has seen its stock nearly double since April 9. Nearly all of the names in the group that have outperformed the S&P 500 index — including Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), Meta (META), and Palantir (PLTR) — have some sort of AI growth story. But in recent weeks, there have been some signs of rotation under the surface. The small-cap Russell 2000 (^RUT), which hasn't hit a new high since 2021, is up about 6% in August, outperforming the S&P 500's roughly 3.5% gain over the same time period. Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices 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
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Durbin Park bathroom's vandalized again, local baseball league wants answers
One local baseball league is demanding answers after the bathrooms at one of the fields used by the organization were smashed into pieces. What was supposed to be a regular morning baseball practice at Durbin Park turned out to be anything but ordinary. 'We walked into the park on Saturday morning to then find the women's bathroom sinks and everything destroyed,' Shaunn Lobo said, League President of Julington Creek Baseball. 'Shattered the mirrors in the men's bathroom and shattered all of the sinks in the women's bathroom.' Lobo tells Action News Jax he got a call about the bathrooms Saturday morning and immediately went up to the field to take a look for himself. He tells me this isn't the first time something like this has happened to the bathrooms at Durbin Park. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'On July 4th, the next morning on July 5th, we walked into the park, and we noticed in several bathrooms in the women's and in the men's bathroom here that fireworks were set off,' Lobo said. Lobo filed police reports for both instances. He tells me that they are working with St. Johns County Parks and Recreation to try and get security cameras put in place. Now, he just hopes that whoever is doing this will be held accountable. 'We really just want to come to the bottom of this and hope that it just doesn't keep happening,' Lobo said. Action News Jax has reached out to the county for the incident reports for both of these instances. We are still waiting to hear back. It's unclear when the bathrooms will be back up and running again at Durbin Park, but we saw the county working on it. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Photo showing Putin holding nose in car with Trump doesn't pass sniff test
Claim: A photo authentically showed Russian President Vladimir Putin holding his nose while riding in presidential state car "The Beast" with U.S. President Donald Trump. Rating: In August 2025, a photo circulated online that claimed to authentically show Russian President Vladimir Putin holding his nose while he rode with U.S. President Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential state car, which is nicknamed "The Beast." Trump and Putin met in Alaska on Aug. 15, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine more than three years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 2022. Trump left the meeting without a promised ceasefire deal. One post (archived) of the photo had 4.1 million views on X at the time of this writing. The X user captioned the image, "Putin found out the hard way." The caption appeared to refer to a years-old rumor that Trump had a pungent body odor. The image and related claims also circulated on Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Bluesky (archived) and TikTok (archived). Snopes readers searched our site for more information about the photo. However, careful review of the photo found that an unknown individual had digitally edited the image to show Putin holding his nose. Snopes matched the shadows and reflections on the outside of the vehicle to footage from The Associated Press, NBC News and Zvezda, a Russian state-owned broadcaster run by the country's Ministry of Defense, showing Trump and Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15. None of those broadcasts contained a frame matching the photo circulating online. Therefore, we've rated this photo fake. The reflections on the outside of the vehicle matched those in the photo in all three broadcasts Snopes reviewed. However, in the moments when the reflections on the vehicle matched the photo allegedly showing Putin holding his nose, the Russian president was instead smiling and looking out toward the gathered press. (X user @BY1959/AP/NBC/Zvezda/Snopes Illustration) The edited photo circulated alongside captions that alluded to a years-old claim that Trump had a pungent body odor. Snopes previously debunked a version of this rumor that came from a political satirist. Republicans (archived), journalists and comedians (archived) have made the claim in recent years. In 2024, Adam Kinzinger, formerly a Republican U.S. representative from Illinois, described Trump's odor to late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel as "armpits, ketchup, makeup and a little butt." Comedian Kathy Griffin also claimed in 2023 that Trump "does smell really bad." Griffin based her claim on her appearances on "Celebrity Apprentice," a TV show Trump hosted before he moved into politics, dating back to 2010. In 2020, Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House press secretary during Trump's first term and then engaged in a public feud with the president, told The Guardian, "I'm not going to make the equivocations that these other people are making: 'Well, it's Republican, it's judges, it's policies.' No, the guy stinks and he's a racist and he's an American nativist." It was unclear whether Scaramucci's "stinks" referred to body odor or was the former press secretary's assessment of Trump's ability to do his job. Snopes has not independently verified claims about Trump's body odor. For further reading, Snopes previously reported on rumors that the Oval Office was fumigated after Trump's first term and that the president passed gas during an April 2024 hush-money trial in New York. Associated Press. "AP Reporter Recaps Meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska." YouTube, 16 Aug. 2025, Dawsey, Josh, et al. "Scaramucci's Short, Wild Ride through Trump's White House." Politico, 31 Jul. 2017, "For Trump and Putin, Handshakes on a Red Carpet and a Joint Limo Ride, Then an Abrupt Ending." AP News, 15 Aug. 2025, Greek, et al. "Alex Wagner Says Donald Trump 'Smells like Cooking Oil.'" Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2024, Jimmy Kimmel Live. "Adam Kinzinger on Trump's Stunt at Arlington, His Body Odor & Republicans Scared to Speak Out." YouTube, 4 Sep. 2024, NBC News. "Putin Grins from inside Trump's Presidential Vehicle at Alaska Arrival Ceremony." YouTube, 15 Aug. 2025, Smith, David. "'The Guy Stinks and He's a Racist': Anthony Scaramucci on Donald Trump." The Guardian, 17 Jul. 2020. The Guardian, The Apprentice: Season 10, Episode 13 | Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025. @zvezdanews. "‼️Путин и Трамп Сели в Машину Американского Президента, Поговорили Там Пару Минут и Покинули Авиабазу Эльмендорф." Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025,
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What a credit-builder loan is and how it works
Key takeaways A credit-builder loan expects you to make scheduled payments first and receive the loan balance at the end and is specifically designed to build your credit history. Credit-builder loans are ideal for the 28 million Americans who are credit invisible or those with thin credit files who need to establish payment history. Most credit-builder loans range from $300 to $1,000 with terms of 6 to 24 months, and your payments are reported to all three credit bureaus. Making on-time payments on a credit-builder loan can help you qualify for better rates on future credit products like mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. A credit-builder loan has a reverse loan structure designed to help people with no credit or poor credit build a track record of on-time payments. Instead of receiving funds upfront, you make monthly payments that are reported to all three credit bureaus, and you get the money after the term ends. Once you have a credit score and established a positive payment history, you can apply for other credit products, such as credit cards, personal loans or a mortgage. Keep in mind credit scores are important and apply to your everyday life – landlords check them for apartments, insurers use them to set rates, and some employers even review them during hiring. How credit-builder loans work and improve credit scores Credit-builder loans are a type of credit-building product that typically range from $300 to $1,000, though some lenders offer up to $3,000. The lender deposits this amount into a secured savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) that earns interest while you make monthly payments over 6 to 24 months. You'll pay interest on the loan that ranges from 6 percent to 16 percent APR, and you may also have to pay an application fee ranging from $10 to $25. While you were making your payments, the lender reported your monthly payments to credit agencies, and over time, the payments helped boost a bad score or built a credit history if you didn't have a score. Bankrate's take: Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score – the largest single factor – so consistent on-time payments through a credit-builder loan directly improve this crucial component. Learn more: What is a FICO score? For example, let's say you take out a $1,000 credit-builder loan at 7% interest for 24 months. Your monthly payment would be approximately $45. After making all 24 payments on time, you'd receive your $1,000 back (minus any fees), and you'd have established two years of positive payment history on your credit reports. Once you've made all the payments, you've built a satisfactory history with the lender and can access the full amount you borrowed. Some lenders may even return a portion of the interest as dividends, particularly credit unions. Credit-builder loans are not good as emergency funds It's important to note that if you need emergency funding, a credit-builder loan won't help. The funds are only released after you've completed all payments. For urgent needs, research emergency loan options instead, but avoid payday loans, which can charge predatory rates as high as 400% APR. Who are credit-builder loans for? People new to credit, like recent high school or college graduates, may benefit from a credit-builder loan to help develop a credit score. According to U.S. News research, 59% of credit-invisible consumers want to build their credit, but many don't know how or haven't tried. Taking out a credit-builder loan could also be a wise move if you fit into one of the following categories: Credit-invisible consumers If you're credit invisible, you don't have any reported credit history, so a credit-builder loan can help add a positive payment history to your reports so you can earn a credit score. According to Experian and consulting firm Oliver Wyman, over 28 million U.S. consumers don't have any credit history, representing about 11% of the adult population. The data also shows disparities by race for credit invisibility: 16 percent of Hispanic consumers 14 percent of Black consumers 10 percent of Asian consumers 9 percent of white consumers Thin-credit consumers A credit-builder loan could also help if you have a thin-credit profile, which means you don't have enough active credit history to generate a credit score. Once your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, it can beef up your credit file. In addition to the 28 million credit-invisible consumers, an additional 21 million Americans are 'unscorable.' These consumers have some experience with credit but not enough to generate a score. These groups represent nearly 50 million Americans who could benefit from credit-builder loans. Recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) data corrections reveal an even broader market for credit-builder loans. While the credit invisible population is estimated at 7 million adults as of 2020, there are an additional 25.3 million adults with unscored credit records. This means over 32 million Americans could benefit from credit-builder loans. More people who could benefit from credit-builder loans The CFPB also showed that an additional 5.9 percent have 'stale' credit, or no recent activity, and 3.9 percent have insufficient information to generate a score. Where to find credit-builder loans You can get a credit-builder loan from several places. When shopping, look for lenders that report to the three major credit bureaus to maximize your credit-building impact: Credit unions: Credit unions often offer lower rates than some larger banks since they are member-owned, not-for-profit institutions. You must become a credit union member before borrowing. Many credit unions offer credit-builder loans in the 5% to 10% APR range. Small banks: You're less likely to find a credit-builder loan at national, big-name banks, but your community or regional bank may offer this product. Community banks often have more flexible underwriting and may work with you if you have banking history with them. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): These institutions, which include banks, credit unions and nonprofit funds, specialize in doing business with borrowers in underserved communities and low-income areas. There are about 1,400 CDFIs in the U.S., and you can find them through the CDFI Fund website. Online lenders: Some online lenders offer credit-builder loans with loan terms as long as 48 months. Popular options include Self, Chime, and MoneyLion, though not all are available in every state. Benefits and disadvantages to credit-builder loans While credit-builder loans can be powerful tools for establishing credit, they come with both advantages and potential drawbacks to consider: Benefits No credit check required for most lenders Forced savings component helps you build an emergency fund Lower risk than traditional credit cards for building credit Fixed monthly payments help establish budgeting discipline Some lenders return interest as dividends Disadvantages No access to funds until loan completion Interest costs (around 6% to 16% APR) mean you pay to build credit Application fees and administrative costs Missing payments damage your credit Not helpful for emergency expenses Best bad credit loans Want to check out the rates lenders are offering to people with less than ideal credit? Check out the latest rates lenders are offering. Check rates and lenders now How to get a credit-builder loan in 6 steps Getting a credit-builder loan is relatively easy. There are typically no credit checks involved, and you could get your account set up the same day you apply. That said, there are still a few steps to follow for you to get the most out of your loan. 1. Review your monthly budget Don't take on a new monthly payment unless you've checked your monthly spending. Remember, you don't receive any funds up front with a credit-builder loan. Start with a small loan amount to ensure you can afford the payment and avoid a situation where you can't repay the balance. A good rule of thumb to follow: your credit-builder loan payment shouldn't exceed 5% of your monthly income. 2. Check your credit history Although credit-builder loan eligibility criteria aren't as focused on your credit scores, checking your credit history for any issues affecting your approval is a good idea. You can get a free weekly copy of your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax by visiting Disputes may take up to 30 days to be addressed, so be sure to give yourself ample time between reviewing your report and applying. 3. Compare your options It's always best to shop around before you choose a credit-builder loan. Pay attention to the following when comparing lenders: Loan amounts: Although the amounts vary from lender to lender, most credit-builder loans are between $300 and $1,000. The more you borrow, the higher your payment will be, so starting with a smaller loan is best. Repayment terms: Credit-builder loan terms tend to be shorter, from 12 months to 36 months. The shorter your term, the higher your monthly payment, but the lower interest you'll pay overall. Flexibility: In general, you can't access credit-builder loan funds until you've made all the payments. However, some lenders may allow you to receive some of the balance after you've made a set number of payments. APRs and fees: Your monthly payment may not cover interest and fee charges. In such cases, those costs are deducted after you've made all of your scheduled payments, which can take a big chunk out of the funds you receive. 4. Gather all the necessary information Credit-builder lenders usually require the same documents needed for a personal loan. The requirements may vary among lenders, but usually include: A picture ID, like a driver's license or passport Your Social Security number and date of birth Your phone number, address, and email address Copies of paystubs, W-2s or tax returns to prove your income Employer contact information Your bank account number and routing number Proof of your monthly rent or mortgage payment 5. Apply Once you've chosen the credit-builder lender you want to do business with and have your documents ready, you'll fill out the lender's full application. The process is typically all done online, and you can upload your financial paperwork through a secure portal on the lender's website. At this point, the lender will perform a hard credit pull and make a decision. If you're approved, review the terms carefully and ask questions if you don't understand how much you'll pay each month, what the fees are or when you can access the loan funds. 6. Make payments and track your progress Once you sign your final documents, you'll begin making your monthly payments. Most credit-builder lenders set up automatic payments through your bank so you don't miss a payment. Missing even one payment can significantly damage the credit you're trying to build, so autopay is crucial. After you make payments for a few months, start tracking your credit score progress. Ask your lender if it offers a free credit monitoring service and enroll in it so you can keep watch for movement in your scores. You could start seeing improvement in your credit score within 3 to 6 months of on-time payments. 4 Alternatives for building credit A credit-builder loan isn't the only way to improve or build your credit score. There are many other credit-building options to consider, depending on your needs and timeline. Secured credit card: If you're looking for ways to build credit, a secured credit card can be a valuable option. These types of credit cards require that you establish a savings account with the credit card issuer and maintain a certain balance. These funds act as security for the line of credit. According to U.S. News, 27 percent of credit-invisible consumers have tried secured cards. Become an authorized user: If a parent, family member or spouse has a solid credit profile and a credit card account in good standing, ask if you can be added as an authorized user to the account. That individual's credit history will then be added to your credit profile. Make bill payments on time: If you simply have a low credit score that you're looking to improve, ensuring that you establish a consistent track record of paying all bills on time can help increase your score over time. Services like Experian Boost let you add utility, phone, and streaming payments to your credit file. Pay down existing debt: Yet another way to improve a low score is by focusing on paying down any existing debt you may have. Minimizing balances on credit cards and personal loans can go a long way toward improving a credit score. Credit experts generally recommend borrowing less than 30 percent of your available credit limits. Best personal loan rates Want to build your credit using personal loans rather than credit-builder loans? Check out the latest rates from the top personal loan lenders. Check lenders and rates now Frequently asked question Should you use a personal loan to build credit? If you qualify, using a traditional personal loan to build credit could be an excellent alternative if you need funds right away and can comfortably afford the monthly payments. Before you do this, though, consider potential downsides like high borrowing costs and more debt. Traditional personal loans typically require credit scores of 580 or higher, making them inaccessible to credit-invisible consumers who would benefit more from credit-builder loans. Sign in to access your portfolio
