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Here are 6 signals investment bankers are watching as they pray for an M&A rebound in 2024. By contrast, activity from private equity firms "was off almost 40%," he said. In 2021, private equity firms transacted $1.5 trillion across 2,869 deals, according to Dealogic. Last year, private equity M&A made up 40% of total activity, according to Goldman Sachs. AI companies, many of which are only now being formed, need to mature, and the winners and losers need to come into focus, bankers said.

Persons: Wall, LSEG, Goldman Sachs, Vito Sperduto, Sperduto, we've, Stephan Feldgoise, Hess, Anthony J, Carfang, Cash, Goldman, Goldman's Feldgoise, Feldgoise, Mark Sorrell, I'm, Harold M, Lambert, Jerome Powell, Greg McBride, McBride, Jonathan Gray, dealmaking, Gray, Rob Chisholm, Chisholm Organizations: Fed, London Stock Exchange, Business, RBC Capital Markets, Conference Board, Conference, Federal, Goldman, Federal Reserve, Private, Bankers, DOJ, FTC, Federal Reserve Board, Bankrate, of Labor Statistics, Cisco, LSEG, Qatalyst Partners, Citi, & $ Locations: LSEG, Ukraine

☆ This in-demand side hustle for 2024 can pay up to $6,000 per month—how to get started
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-20 | by ( Gili Malinsky | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Americans have already begun making their 2024 financial plans. A majority, 86% have at least one financial goal for the year, according to a November 2023 Bankrate survey of 2,391 U.S. adults. If you are looking to start a side gig in the new year, there are plenty of opportunities and directions to consider. "We're going to see a lot more people go back to the office in 2024," says Angelique Rewers, CEO of small business consulting firm BoldHaus. Here's what the gig could look like, how much it could pay and how to get started.

Persons: Angelique Rewers

☆ Carrying a credit card balance is costing you $1,140 per year — and is about to get much worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

However, credit card balances are especially worrisome because they are going to keep getting worse. That means the average American could be spending $1,140 every year on credit card interest and fees alone. Americans have been accruing a lot of credit card debt at a terrible timeAccording to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans had nearly $1.1 trillion in credit card debt in the third quarter of this year. Credit card interest rates, which had already been at their highest level since the mid-1990s, started soaring even higher. But with credit card debt going through the roof, the blissful spending could come to a screeching halt.

Persons: couldn't, —, Gary Coronado, LendingTree, Ted Rossman, Biden Organizations: Service, SoFi Bank, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank of New, Federal Reserve Board, Fed, New York, New York Fed, Consumer Financial, CNN, Household Economics Locations: WalletHub, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, delinquencies

☆ How America racked up a $1 trillion credit card bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Delon Thornton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Americans have accumulated a record-breaking $1 trillion in credit card debt. This comes as the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes have caused average interest rates for credit cards to spike to more than 22%. Rates on retail credit cards are even higher, nearing 29% on average. However, big box retailers like Macy's and Nordstrom have issued warnings about a slowdown in repayments on their credit cards over the summer, highlighting a potential risk to retail revenue this holiday season. Watch the video above to find out more about how Americans' credit card debt ballooned past the $1 trillion threshold, and whether U.S. consumers can keep spending enough to keep a looming recession at bay.

Persons: Tedd Rossman, Nordstrom Organizations: National Retail Federation

☆ The hidden expense that's sucking $74 billion out of the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Bartie Scott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

They said rising costs kept the board from expanding amenities residents wanted, such as a shared composting system. jhorrocks/Getty ImagesRising price for peace of mindIn the constellation of household costs, insurance is often one of the lesser-noticed line items. But recently the rising cost of repairs and the frequency of damaging weather events have made the deal go sour. Rising insurance costs could inflict more pain on another bruised area of the economy: housing affordability. For this reason, insurance companies could decline to cover them or require costly upgrades before agreeing to a policy.

Persons: that'd, Mark Pauly, Tim Quinlan, you'll, Quinlan, it's, Francesco D'Acunto, D'Acunto, Pauly, they've, Nature, John Coletti, That's, Bartie Scott Organizations: Insurance, Research, Bank of America, Global, American, Casualty Insurance Association, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Insurance Information Institute, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, Social Security, National Flood Insurance, Business Insider's Locations: Logan, Chicago, Florida, Wells Fargo, California

☆ Rates may have hit their peak. How to get the biggest bang out of cash heading into 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"It's important to keep sharing this idea to do something with your cash; these rates won't be here forever." Municipal money market funds Rather than tying up money in CDs or T-bills, Sachs prefers municipal money market funds for investors in the highest income tax brackets. Vanguard's Municipal Money Market Fund (VMSXX) has a 7-day SEC yield of 3.53% and carries an expense ratio of 0.15%. Residents in high-tax locales may also want to consider state-specific muni market funds, which have the additional benefit of providing income that's free of state taxes. For instance, there's the Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund (VCTXX) and the Fidelity New York Municipal Money Market Fund (FSNXX) .

Persons: –, Catherine Valega, Sallie Mae, Jeremy Keil, Keil, There's, Charles Sachs, Kaufman, Sachs, Michael Bloom Organizations: Federal, Green Bee, Synchrony, Financial, Keil Financial Partners, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, FDIC, ., CFP, Money Market Fund, SEC, Residents, Vanguard, Fidelity New York Municipal Money Market Fund Locations: Winchester , Massachusetts, New Berlin , Wisconsin, Miami, Vanguard California

☆ Gen Z, millennials are ‘house hacking’ to become homeowners in a tough market. How the strategy can help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gen Z and millennials are "hacking" the housing market as high prices and interest rates make affordability difficult. The term "house hacking" refers to the practice of renting out a portion of your home or an entire property for an additional stream of income. Almost 4 in 10, 39%, of recent homebuyers say the practice represents a "very" or "extremely" important opportunity, according to a new report by housing market site Zillow. In Zillow's survey, more than half of millennial, 55%, and Gen Z home buyers, 51%, expressed positive views on house hacking. The average rate for 30-year mortgages hit 8% in October, the highest level seen in 23 years, according to Bankrate.

Persons: Z, Gen, Zillow, homeownership, Manny Garcia Organizations: Finance, Homebuyers Locations: U.S

☆ This is the best place to park cash to use for your next stock buys
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

According to money market tracker Crane Data , the average yield of the 100 largest money market funds is 5.19%. Money market funds vs. money market accounts Not to be confused with money market accounts (and other types of deposit accounts), money market funds are low-risk investments — and as such, they are not backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Forbes put together a list of top money market funds from some of the biggest brokerages in the nation. To be sure, as CNBC Select points out, there are high-yield savings and money market accounts out there with yields approaching those from money market funds. But we want to emphasize that these were rare events and money market funds are considered very low-risk investments.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Louis P, Forbes, you'll, Jim Cramer's, Jim Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, CNBC, Jim Cramer's Charitable, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: New York, U.S

☆ It's never been harder to build wealth. Blame high interest rates and the US housing market.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

That's largely because it's become much harder to buy a home, the "big ticket" to wealth for most Americans. Less wealthy Americans have also been slammed by high inflation, high borrowing costs, and meager wage gains. An inaccessible housing market spells trouble for those looking to build up their nest eggs, according to BankRate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman. With ever-more Americans priced out of the housing market, that gap could grow wider. The struggle to build wealth — by way of the housing market or other means — has been reflected in the latest economic data.

Persons: It's, it's, —, Ted Rossman, Rossman, aren't, Fannie Mae, Michael Neal, Neal, Bankrate's Rossman Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Business, Federal, National Association of Realtors, Realtor.com, Urban Institute Locations: –

☆ Why buy now, pay later options aren't necessarily better than credit cards
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Buy now, pay later options accounted for around $6.4 billion of online spending in October, according to Adobe Analytics. But while they may offer attractive benefits, such as interest-free payments, they aren't necessarily better or safer than using a credit card. Buy now, pay later payment options essentially allow you to take out a microloan to make a purchase, then pay back that loan in installments. While that may seem like a deal, if you're using multiple buy now, pay later plans, the payments can really add up, Rossman says. If you're choosing between using a credit card or a buy now, pay later option, here's how to decide which is right for you.

Persons: Ted Rossman, Rossman Organizations: Adobe Analytics, CNBC

☆ 25% of Americans still have holiday debt from last year: 'If you're in a hole, stop digging,' says money expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

About 25% of Americans are still paying off holiday debt from 2022, according to WalletHub's November holiday shopping survey. But those already carrying a balance could find themselves sinking further into the red if they don't get a handle on their credit card debt. "If you're in a hole, stop digging," Ted Rossman, Bankrate's senior industry analyst, tells CNBC Make It. One reason you may want to avoid racking up more debt is that higher interest rates are making it more expensive to pay down. A higher interest rate means it could take longer and be more expensive to pay down your credit card debt.

Persons: Ted Rossman, Rossman Organizations: CNBC, Federal Reserve

☆ Holiday shoppers have the ‘best discounting season in years,’ expert says. These tips can help you save even more
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

For consumers, there is no incentive to holding on to gift cards. If you don't want to use it for yourself, consider using it to buy a gift for someone else or gifting them the gift card. watch nowDO take advantage of credit card rewardsMany consumers also have credit card rewards available they have not yet redeemed. DON'T use credit cards without a plan to pay them offThe average credit card interest rate is now a record 20.72%, according to Bankrate. You may sign up for a new credit card that requires a minimum threshold for new purchases to unlock rewards.

Persons: Rossman, Paul Fabara, CNBC.com

☆ The happiest workers ignore this common piece of career advice, says Harvard expert: 'It's very self-limiting'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

"Work-life balance" is often regarded as an important indicator of a thriving, successful career. Millennials and Gen Z workers, in particular, place a high value on work-life balance and seek out benefits that enable flexibility. But "work-life balance" is a "horrible, misleading" goal to strive for, says Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati. "Find work-life balance" is a common piece of career advice Gulati encourages his students — and the CEOs he interviews on his podcast, "Deep Purpose"— to ignore. Here, Gulati explains why focusing on work-life balance can be counterproductive and offers a better alternative:

Persons: Millennials, Gen, Ranjay Gulati, Gulati, I'm Organizations: Harvard Business School

☆ Tip a Self-Service Kiosk? How to Deal With the Many Requests for Tips.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Ann Carrns | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Rossman recalled encountering a tip screen this year at a self-checkout station at Newark Liberty International Airport. Replacing the old-fashioned tip jar, new digital payment systems have made it easy for businesses to ask customers for tips electronically. So for some, it can feel awkward to tap “other amount” or “no tip” on a payment screen if they feel that the employee or others in line are watching. More generous tipping practices took hold earlier in the coronavirus pandemic, with people inspired to help frontline workers. But as the pandemic eased, higher inflation took hold, and tipping as a percentage of a pricier meal tab became more noticeable.

Persons: Rossman, “ It’s, Michael Lynn Organizations: Newark Liberty International Airport, Cornell University

☆ Here's when market experts think inflation will get back to normal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While many experts don't see inflation getting back to normal just yet, it could in a year or two. Consumer price inflation has been mostly slowing this year. Some experts see inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index being around 2% — the Fed's target year-over-year rate of price growth — by some time in 2024. Advertisement"We foresee headline and core CPI inflation around 2.2% y/y in Q4 2024," Daco said in his commentary. Goldman Sachs forecasts that measure is expected to cool off and see a 2.4% year-over-year increase in December 2024.

Persons: J.P, David Kelly, —, Gregory Daco, Daco, Kelly, ING's James Knightley, Sarah Foster's, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Powell, Powell, Mark Hamrick, Hamrick Organizations: Morgan, Service, Consumer, CPI, Morgan Asset Management, Bankrate, Federal Reserve, Federal, Business

☆ Americans are getting ‘ripped off’ by big banks, Robinhood CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Robinhood is trying hard to lure customers fed up with traditional banks that pay little to no interest on savings. To attract deposits, the stock trading app made famous by the GameStop craze is offering fatter and fatter interest rates. That’s far higher than traditional banks and among the highest in the industry. We see an opportunity to correct that,”Tenev argued this has long been part of the “playbook” of traditional banks. The Robinhood rate of 5% applies to new and existing customers of Robinhood Gold, a subscription service that costs $5 a month.

Persons: New York CNN — Robinhood, ”, Vlad Tenev, ” Tenev, Robinhood, Roth, “, Tenev, We’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, GameStop, CNN, Federal Reserve, American Bankers Association, Bank, AMC, of America, ” Bank of America Locations: New York

☆ Turkeys are cheaper, but inflation is 'clearly impacting' Thanksgiving food costs, economist says. Here's how to save
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The cost of turkey represents 45% of the classic Thanksgiving basket of food prices the bureau tracks. "Inflation is still clearly impacting food prices," Veronica Nigh, senior economist of AFBF, said in a press call. People are paying more at the grocery store. Consumers can expect to pay around 20% less for fresh cranberries compared to a year ago while canned cranberry sauce is up 7% from last year, Wells Fargo found. It "might actually be cheaper to go to a grocery store that you're not used to going to," Palmer said.

Persons: Veronica, AFBF, Kimberly Palmer, There's, Wells, Mark Hamrick, Maren Caruso, Palmer Organizations: American Farm Bureau, Finance, UBS, Bankrate, Stone Locations: U.S, Puerto Rico, . Ham, Wells Fargo

☆ UBS projects inflation is coming to an end, but that's 'little comfort to households,' chief financial analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The prolonged period of high inflation may finally be coming to an end, according to an analysis of recent data by UBS global wealth management. In October, the consumer price index, a closely followed inflation gauge, increased 3.2% from 12 months earlier, down from 3.7% in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday. The report marked a significant improvement on the pandemic-era peak of 9.1% in June 2022. “By next spring, inflation will have slowed to a comfortable level for both the Fed and investors,” said Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer of the Americas for UBS Wealth Management. “The strain on household budgets is real.”

Persons: ”, Solita Marcelli, Greg McBride Organizations: UBS, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fed, Americas, UBS Wealth Management, Finance

☆ Stocks surge as inflation falls more than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Minneapolis CNN —US consumer price inflation cooled down in October after rising for the last two months. The moderation in inflation was even more than expected, sending US stocks sharply higher and providing a touch more solace to Americans who have dealt with painfully high prices the past two years. On a monthly basis, prices were unchanged for the first time since July 2022. Energy prices dropped in October; however, that was offset by the continued rise of shelter costs, according to the report. “The continued moderation of inflation will help keep the Federal Reserve on the sidelines,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate, in a statement.

Persons: Dow, “, ”, Greg McBride Organizations: Minneapolis CNN, of Labor Statistics, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, ”, CPI Locations: Minneapolis

☆ Prices rise slower than expected, but there's still a 'long way to go' in taming inflation, financial expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Price growth is slowing, but high inflation could still persist through most of 2024 and beyond. Inflation dropped from a year-over-year rate of 3.7% to 3.2% in October, according to the latest consumer price index report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Tuesday morning. Perhaps more importantly, core inflation — which excludes volatile food and energy prices — dropped from 0.3% in September to 0.2% in October, which was lower than expected. At an annualized rate of 2.4%, core inflation is trending closer to the Federal Reserve's overall year-over-year target rate of 2%. "We still have a long way to go" before core inflation is under control, Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate, tells CNBC Make It.

Persons: That's, Kurt Rankin, Greg McBride Organizations: U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics Tuesday, Federal, PNC Financial Services Group, CNBC

☆ 56% of Gen Z doesn't have an emergency fund—here's the first thing you should do to build one, according to a CFP
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

High inflation and interest rates have made it hard for people of all ages to build up emergency funds, but Gen Z seems to be having a particularly difficult time stashing away cash, a recent Bank of America survey found. In fact, 56% of Gen Zers say they don't have enough savings to cover three months of expenses in the event of an emergency. Given that emergency funds tend to grow as people get older and wealthier, Gen Z's lack of savings doesn't come as a shock to Douglas Boneparth, certified financial planner and president of Bone Fide Wealth. But this doesn't mean that younger generations should procrastinate when it comes to starting an emergency fund. Here are the basics of an emergency fund and why it's important for Gen Z to begin stashing away cash now.

Persons: Gen, Gen Zers, They're, Bankrate, Douglas Boneparth, it's, Z Organizations: of America, Bone, CNBC

☆ To buy a house in today's market, more people turn to an alternative lender: their parents
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesFewer people can afford to buy a house these days. On top of soaring home prices, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have been hovering near the highest level in more than two decades. "U.S. home prices are near record highs, and mortgage rates have rocketed to their loftiest levels since 2000," said Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski. At its peak in 2006 before the crash, the payment-to-income ratio was 34%. In late 2023, the payment-to-income ratio is 40%.

Persons: Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate Organizations: AFP, Getty, ICE Mortgage Technology Locations: Arlington , Virginia

☆ Average credit card balances top $6,000, a 10-year high, as delinquencies rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Americans now owe $1.08 trillion on their credit cards, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday. Credit card rates spiked more than 5% with the Federal Reserve's recent string of 11 rate hikes, including four in 2023. As the federal funds rate rose, the prime rate did, as well, and credit card rates followed suit. "Americans are addicted to credit cards, no question," said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com. How to tackle costly credit card debt

Persons: TransUnion, Charlie Wise, Wise, Greg McBride, Howard Dvorkin, Debt.com Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed, TransUnion, Federal, Finance, Bankrate, Debt.com Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, TransUnion

☆ As more consumers struggle with credit card debt, here's what to know heading into the holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

That climbing "credit card delinquencies" rate may trend higher this holiday season. Knowing what the words credit card delinquencies mean is important because being delinquent or late with card payments can lower your credit score. Annual percentage rate (APR)If you're paying for holiday purchases with a credit card, you should know the annual percentage rate, or APR, on it before you buy. The average APR on a credit card is more than 21%, according to Bankrate, and nearly 30% for retail store credit cards. A LendingTree survey of 100 cards found some retail cards can have interest rates as high as 35%.

Persons: Matt Schulz, LendingTree Organizations: Federal Reserve Bank of New

☆ What orange juice futures tell us about the state of our world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Cocoa and orange juice futures have hit multi-decade highs as climate change and harsh weather takes their toll on crops in warmer climates. Here’s the latest in the commodities market:Orange juiceOrange juice futures have soared to their highest levels since the commodity began trading in 1966. The January contract for frozen concentrated orange juice is currently sitting around $3.95, up nearly 94% so far this year. The rally has led to a rise in speculative betting, leading some analysts to call orange juice futures the new GameStop. But “the eventual crash in the price of orange juice will be one for the record books,” he quipped.

Persons: Nicole, it’s, they’re, ”, Dave Reiter, It’s, Brent, David Morrison, stoking, That’s, WeWork, Nathaniel Meyersohn, Ermengarde Jabir, Alicia Wallace, “, Ted Rossman Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, OJ, Sunshine State, Futures, GameStop, Reiter Capital Investments, Cocoa, West Texas Intermediate, “ Traders, Trade Nation . Energy, Wheat, Organisation for Economic Co, Federal Reserve Bank of New, New York Fed Locations: New York, Ukraine, Orange, US, Brazil, Mexico, Florida, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Ivory, Chicago, Southeast Asia, Europe, China, Russia, America, United States

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