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Goldman Sachs tightens employee bets in prediction markets
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Geopolitical Tensions Drive Mortgage Rates Higher as Iran Fallout Looms
Mortgage rates edged higher this week as renewed US-Iran tensions and rising oil prices pushed bond yields higher. Freddie Mac puts the 30-year fixed average at 6.49% (up from 6.43%), with current lender quotes showing roughly 6.35% for a 30-year fixed, 6.21% for 20-year, and 5.94% for 15-year; refinance rates are typically a touch higher, around 6.4% for a 30-year loan. Market moves, fueled by concerns about inflation, prompted economists to note that rates had been retreating, but Iran's deteriorating ceasefire situation reversed that trend. The piece also covers rate determinants (down payments, credit scores, loan type) and advises shoppers to compare lenders for the best deal.
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Seven Common Will Mistakes Estate Lawyers Urge You to Avoid
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Prime Members Score 50-Cent Gas Discount for Independence Day Weekend
Amazon Prime members can save 50 cents per gallon at bp, Amoco, AmPm and Thorntons locations from July 2–5 by linking their Amazon account to bp’s earnify rewards app; once the promo ends, the standard 10-cent discount returns. The offer covers more than 7,500 locations and can be shared within Amazon Family using separate earnify accounts. The piece also highlights additional Prime Fourth of July savings (Whole Foods ice cream, discounted beef and snacks), a Prime Access grocery credit, and various gas-card options (like Citi Strata and Blue Cash Everyday) to help maximize year‑round savings.
New Trump Accounts Target Kids’ Retirement with $1,000 Seed and Employer Matches
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Real Estate Tops Americans' Favorite Long-Term Investment
Gallup's annual poll shows real estate as the top long-term investment (38%), ahead of stocks (20%), with gold and cash also prominent. Yet investing experts point to stocks as the true long-term winner: the S&P 500 has averaged roughly 11.5% per year over 40 years to 2025 (and about 10.4% from 1992–2024), far outpacing home-price gains around 5%. Real estate’s popularity is driven by widespread homeownership and a perceived safety net, while gold is viewed mainly as diversification and savings accounts/CDs as safety for risk-averse investors.
Auto-pay perk expands: 1% interest cut for qualifying Direct Loans
The Education Department is offering a 1 percentage-point interest-rate discount for federal Direct Loans when borrowers enroll in autopay, a benefit that lasts through June 30, 2028. Eligible loans include Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS, and Direct Consolidation (including Parent PLUS if the loan is Direct); FFEL and private loans are not eligible. Loans must be disbursed on or after July 1, 2012 and be in good standing. Borrowers already in autopay receive the discount automatically; new enrollees must sign up by Sept. 30, 2026 and remain enrolled to keep it. As always, verify payments with your loan servicer to avoid autopay errors.
Phishing, romance scams and AI-made investment traps: how to spot and stop them
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Warsh's Fed Debut Signals a New, Orthodox Inflation Push
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Fed proposes KYC rules for select payment stablecoin issuers
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As Iran Peace Talks Advance, Mortgage Rates Slip Below 6.5%
Mortgage rates eased this week to about 6.47% for the 30-year fixed as the US and Iran moved closer to a peace deal, with the 10-year Treasury yield also lower and inflation fears fading. The report also lists current purchase and refinance rates (various terms) and notes that Fed officials signaled policy may keep rates higher to stabilize prices, even though mortgage rates aren’t set by the Fed. The piece provides rate snapshots and basic guidance on factors that affect rates and when refinancing makes sense.