A $25,000 long-term certificate of deposit (CD) opened in July can earn a fixed amount of interest depending on the term length. Current top interest rates range from about 4.15% to 4.30%, offering guaranteed returns over periods from 18 months to 10 years.
Key Facts
A CD is a savings account with a fixed interest rate and fixed term.
Interest rates on CDs do not change once you open the account.
For a $25,000 deposit in July, interest earned ranges from about $1,591 (18 months) to $13,087 (10 years).
Example rates: 18-month CD at 4.20%, 2-year at 4.16%, 3-year at 4.15%, 5-year at 4.20%, 10-year at 4.30%.
The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady during the first half of 2026.
Savers should pick the best rate now because if interest rates rise later, the CD rate will not increase.
CDs can be a good option for people who want a low-risk, guaranteed return on money they can leave untouched.
Online marketplaces make it easy to compare CD rates and terms from different banks.
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Investors’ share of home purchases in the U.S. rose slightly from 11% in 2024 to 11.3% last year, mostly due to small investors, not large corporations. Large institutional buyers have reduced their activity, while small “mom-and-pop” investors are focusing on affordable homes in the Midwest and Sunbelt regions.
Key Facts
Investor home purchases increased to 11.3% of all U.S. home sales in 2025, up from 11% in 2024.
Small investors now make up 63% of investor purchases, the highest in over 15 years.
Large institutional investors (those buying 350+ homes) only account for 7.5% of investor purchases, down nearly 70% since 2021.
Roughly 534,000 homes were bought by investors last year, a 0.7% increase from the year before.
Investors sold 442,000 homes in 2025, 1.5% fewer than the previous year, showing stabilized selling activity.
The rise in investor buying has shifted from the Northeast to more affordable areas like Memphis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Birmingham, and Oklahoma City.
These cities attract investors due to affordable prices, strong demand for rentals, and active housing markets.
President Donald Trump stalled the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which targets large corporate buyers, demanding separate legislation on citizenship proof first.
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US gas prices have started to fall, dropping from $4.48 in mid-May to $3.86 per gallon. This change comes amid ongoing conflicts and a potential peace deal between the US and Iran affecting oil supply and prices.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump announced that US gas prices are going down.
The average gasoline price is $3.86 per gallon, down from $4.48 in mid-May.
Prices are still higher than $2.98 per gallon in late February before US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil exports, has seen ongoing clashes affecting oil supply.
New peace talks between the US and Iran have kept oil prices from rising more sharply.
Oil prices increased by about one percent after recent attacks but did not spike further.
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since the 1980s, limiting oil supply options.
Saudi Aramco continues loading large oil shipments despite the unstable situation.
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Nippon Steel bought U.S. Steel a year ago. Since then, workers have received bonuses, new investments have been made in U.S. steel factories, the company’s main office stayed in Pittsburgh, and the U.S. government keeps close supervision over the company.
Key Facts
Nippon Steel acquired U.S. Steel one year ago.
Workers at U.S. Steel were given the bonuses that were promised.
New money has been invested in American steel mills.
U.S. Steel's headquarters remain in Pittsburgh.
The U.S. government has strong oversight powers over the company.
The acquisition has been seen as successful so far.
The deal involved cooperation between allied countries (Japan and the U.S.).
Washington maintained a level of control not common in such acquisitions.
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Andy Burnham, the departing mayor of Greater Manchester, spoke about shifting power from the central UK government to cities and regions to help improve the economy. While he offered broad ideas on business, housing, education, and infrastructure, he did not provide a detailed economic plan with specific tax or spending levels.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham called for more power for cities and regions in the UK, similar to other advanced countries.
He criticized the UK government for focusing on arguments instead of real economic change.
Burnham shared his past experience where a big northern infrastructure project was stopped due to cost rules.
His speech did not include detailed plans on taxes, investments, or strategies for trade and technology.
Burnham said he will follow current government borrowing rules and support reviews aimed at improving young people’s employment.
His plan has five parts, including devolution of power and an industrial strategy.
Questions remain about how Burnham will handle welfare spending and Brexit-related trade issues.
The announcement of his choice for chancellor will come in three weeks.
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Rocket Lab is buying the satellite communications company Iridium for about $8 billion in cash and shares. This deal combines Rocket Lab’s satellite launch services with Iridium’s existing network of 80 satellites and 2.55 million customers, aiming to offer more space-based communication services quickly and efficiently.
Key Facts
Rocket Lab announced the acquisition of Iridium Communications for about $8 billion.
The deal includes payment in cash and Rocket Lab stock.
Iridium operates 80 satellites in low-Earth orbit that provide phone and internet services.
Iridium serves around 2.55 million customers globally.
Iridium holds valuable L-band radio spectrum used for satellite communication.
The acquisition helps Rocket Lab move from just launching satellites to also operating satellite services.
Rocket Lab plans to use this deal to grow new space-based services, including navigation as an alternative to GPS.
Rocket Lab is developing a larger rocket called Neutron to launch bigger satellites necessary for future growth.
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Comcast plans to split into two separate public companies: one for media, including NBCUniversal and Sky, and one for internet and wireless services. This change aims to help each company focus on its own growth and priorities. The separation is expected to finish in about a year, pending approvals.
Key Facts
Comcast will create two publicly traded companies: a media company and a broadband/wireless company.
The media company will include NBCUniversal (which has theme parks, film studios, and TV networks) and the European media company Sky.
Comcast’s internet services will stay with the broadband and wireless company.
Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh will become CEO of the new media company, NBCUniversal.
Michael Angelakis, former CFO, will become CEO of Comcast’s broadband and wireless company after the split.
Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts will remain involved in leading both companies.
Shareholders will get shares in both companies once the separation is done.
The split still needs approval from the board and regulators and is expected to be completed in about a year.
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Many pet owners face rising veterinary costs that can be hard to pay all at once. Using a credit card can help cover these unexpected bills quickly, but if the balance is not paid off soon, interest charges can make the debt costly over time.
Key Facts
Veterinary care costs are rising each year, making it difficult for some pet owners to afford.
About 77% of pet owners see their pet like a child, but 76% say the rising vet costs force them to limit spending on care.
One in three pet owners might decline life-saving treatment if it costs more than $1,000.
Paying vet bills with a credit card can be helpful if the full balance is paid within a few months or within the interest-free grace period.
The average credit card interest rate is above 21%, which can make unpaid balances expensive.
Some credit cards offer a 0% interest period for up to a year, which can help manage large veterinary bills without extra interest if paid on time.
Alternatives to credit cards include vet payment plans, medical financing cards, and emergency savings.
Pet insurance may help owners avoid unexpected large bills and reduce the need to use credit cards for vet expenses.
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Gas prices in the U.S. have fallen to about $3.86 per gallon, down from a high of $4.56 in May due to tensions in the Middle East. While the lower prices help drivers now, experts warn this drop could cause new problems for the economy, including increased demand that may raise inflation.
Key Facts
U.S. average gas prices dropped to $3.86 per gallon as of Monday, down from $4.56 in May.
The price drop follows reduced oil tension despite recent conflicts between the U.S. and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude oil prices fell to around $73 per barrel, near prewar levels.
The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, started an investigation into possible price gouging by oil companies.
The American Petroleum Institute denies the price gouging claims and says gasoline prices don’t always move directly with crude oil prices.
Economists warn that lower gas prices might increase consumer demand and slow or reverse progress on reducing inflation.
Yale economists note that while increased demand could raise inflation, lower oil prices also tend to decrease energy costs, which might ease inflation pressures overall.
The U.S. economy is less sensitive to oil price changes now compared to past crises like the 1970s energy crisis.
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M&M’s, the popular candy brand, will start making their candies without artificial dyes. However, two of their well-known candy colors will not be changed right away.
Key Facts
M&M’s has been around for nearly 85 years.
The brand plans to remove artificial dyes from their candy.
Not all candy colors will switch away from artificial dyes immediately.
Two iconic colors will remain with artificial dyes for now.
This change is part of a bigger movement toward more natural ingredients in food.
The update affects the look of M&M’s candies but aims to keep their taste the same.
Consumers seeking candies without artificial colors will have more options soon.
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Two major musical tours and an opera canceled shows in Australia due to rising costs and lower ticket sales. Industry leaders are asking the government to change tax rules to help keep live theatre running.
Key Facts
The musicals Waitress and Beetlejuice canceled parts of their Australian tours because of high production and touring costs.
Waitress ended its Melbourne run early and will not go to Sydney as planned.
Beetlejuice stopped its tour after Brisbane and canceled shows in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney.
Rising costs include production expenses, touring logistics, and impacts from the cost of living and interest rate rises.
The opera Aida canceled its Adelaide shows planned for 2027 due to increased costs linked to international conflicts.
Losing these shows means many theatre workers, like performers and technical staff, are out of jobs for months.
Theatre leaders say buying tickets is a major personal expense, making it harder for audiences to commit.
Industry experts want government tax reforms to help the theatre sector survive these challenges.
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Comcast announced a major change to its business by planning to separate NBCUniversal and other broadcast assets into a separate company. Comcast will then focus on broadband internet, wireless services, and entertainment outside of NBCUniversal.
Key Facts
Comcast will spin off NBCUniversal, which includes NBC, Universal film and TV studios, Telemundo, Peacock streaming service, and Bravo.
The company aims to create two focused businesses: Comcast for broadband, wireless, and entertainment, and NBCUniversal as a separate entity.
This restructuring was announced on a Monday.
NBCUniversal is a major producer of movies, TV shows, and operates several broadcast networks.
Peacock is Comcast's streaming service included in the spin-off.
The spin-off is part of Comcast’s effort to reorganize and sharpen its business focus.
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BT and Verizon are joining their international businesses to create a new company with yearly revenue of about $4 billion. Verizon will pay BT a fee to ensure they share control equally. This deal ends BT's long search for a buyer as it focuses more on its UK market.
Key Facts
BT and Verizon will form a 50/50 joint venture combining their global business operations.
Verizon will pay BT $625 million as an equalization fee for equal voting rights.
The new company will have over 3,000 customers in about 180 countries and $4 billion in annual revenue.
BT’s CEO, Allison Kirkby, started in February 2024 and is focusing BT more on the UK market.
BT is cutting costs and aims to save £3.7 billion by 2030, with staff numbers expected to be between 75,000 and 80,000 by then.
Verizon announced job cuts of around 13,000 in late 2023 to simplify operations.
The joint venture will be led by Martijn Blanken, headquartered in the UK and incorporated in Jersey.
The deal needs approvals from regulators and employee consultations before it is finalized.
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Fox News apologized for broadcasting claims by Kevin O’Leary about people opposing his data center project. O’Leary said the opponents had links to China, but these statements were not proven.
Key Facts
Kevin O’Leary is a businessman and TV personality.
He talked about a data center project he is involved in.
O’Leary claimed that some people opposing the project were connected to China.
Fox News aired his statements on May 24.
The claims were unsubstantiated, meaning no solid proof was shown.
Fox News apologized over the weekend for broadcasting these claims.
The issue relates to a controversy about the planned data center.
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Comcast plans to split its media businesses from its broadband and mobile networks within a year. This separation will create two companies: one focusing on media like NBCUniversal and Sky, and the other on broadband and wireless services.
Key Facts
Comcast will spin off NBCUniversal and Sky into a separate media company.
The spin-off aims to be tax-free and return shares in both companies to current shareholders.
The media company will include Universal Studios, Peacock streaming, NBC, Telemundo, DreamWorks, and theme parks.
Comcast will keep its broadband and wireless network services, serving about 65 million US customers.
The split is meant to make each company more attractive to different types of investors.
Comcast shares rose more than 20% in early trading after the announcement.
Comcast plans to buy ITV’s UK broadcasting business for about £1.6 billion before the split.
Leadership changes: Mike Cavanagh will lead NBCUniversal; Michael Angelakis will head Comcast’s broadband business; Brian Roberts will stay involved with both.
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Comcast will separate its media businesses, including NBCUniversal and Sky, into a new publicly traded company. This change will allow Comcast to focus on its broadband and mobile services while the new company will manage TV, film, streaming, and theme parks.
Key Facts
Comcast plans to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky into a separate public company over the next year.
NBCUniversal includes the TV network NBC, streaming service Peacock, film studios, theme parks, and sports.
Sky is a major European media company Comcast bought in 2018 for £31 billion.
After the spin-off, Comcast will focus on internet broadband and mobile services for 65 million US homes.
Mike Cavanagh, current Comcast co-CEO, will lead the new media company.
Sky News funding commitments from Comcast may change when current agreements end soon.
The new company will control about 40% of ITN, which supplies news to ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5.
NBCUniversal is building its first European theme park, Universal United Kingdom Resort, set to open in 2031.
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British American Tobacco is cutting nearly 9,000 jobs worldwide as part of a plan to reduce costs and focus more on digital and AI technology. The company is shifting from traditional cigarettes to vaping and nicotine pouch products but is facing challenges like illegal products and strict regulations.
Key Facts
British American Tobacco (BAT) will cut about 5,500 jobs and outsource 3,500 more, nearly one-fifth of its 47,000 global workforce.
The US workforce is not affected by the job cuts.
The company aims to save around £600 million a year by 2028 through these changes.
BAT is moving focus from cigarettes to alternative products like Vuse vapes and Velo nicotine pouches.
Sales and profits have been weak due to factors like the cost of living, higher taxes, and tough regulations in some markets.
US regulators delay approval of new vaping products, leading to more illegal Chinese vaping goods in the market.
Job reductions started already and will finish by the end of 2026.
BAT's CEO said the cuts will help the company become more agile, cost-effective, and technology-focused.
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Comcast announced it will split into two companies by spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky into a separate media company. The new NBCUniversal company will manage media and entertainment assets, while Comcast will keep its broadband and wireless services.
Key Facts
Comcast plans to separate NBCUniversal and Sky into their own company.
The split will be tax-free and aims to let each business grow independently.
NBCUniversal will include Universal theme parks, movie studios, and TV networks like NBC and Sky.
Comcast will keep Xfinity internet, Xfinity Wireless, and Comcast Business services.
Comcast shares rose 21% after the announcement.
Comcast will keep a 19.9% ownership in NBCUniversal.
The deal is expected to finish in about 12 months.
Leadership changes: Mike Cavanagh will lead NBCUniversal, Michael Angelakis will become Comcast CEO, and Brian Roberts will stay involved with both companies.
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The European Commission will start charging a €3 customs fee on small parcels valued under €150 from non-EU countries to reduce cheap imports from China. This move aims to protect European shops and jobs by addressing the large increase in low-cost goods entering Europe without customs charges.
Key Facts
Consumers could previously buy goods under €150 without paying customs fees due to a "de minimis" exemption.
Starting Wednesday, a €3 customs charge applies to all parcels under €150 from outside the EU.
The number of low-value parcels arriving in the EU is expected to rise from 1.3 billion in 2022 to 5.9 billion by 2025.
About 90% of these parcels come from China, including products from companies like Shein and Temu.
Many imported products, especially cosmetics, toys, and personal protective equipment, fail to meet EU safety laws.
EU officials hope the customs charge will discourage very low-value purchases and create fairer conditions for European retailers.
Shein is adapting by opening stores and distribution centers within Europe, possibly to avoid the new fee.
The UK plans to introduce similar import charges on small parcels starting in October 2028.
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China and European Union (EU) commerce ministers met in Brussels as the EU plans measures to address the growing trade imbalance caused by a large number of cheap Chinese imports. The meeting comes amid rising oil prices linked to conflicts between the US and Iran, and South Korea announcing a major investment in semiconductor production.
Key Facts
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and his Chinese counterpart held talks in Brussels.
The EU is preparing new rules to limit cheap imports from China.
These rules may include cutting steel import quotas and increasing tariffs on goods beyond those quotas.
China has responded by restricting imports of some EU medical equipment.
Oil prices increased due to renewed tensions and strikes involving the US and Iran.
South Korea revealed a large investment plan to boost chip (semiconductor) production.
The trade imbalance between China and the EU is growing as Chinese exports surge.
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