Monday,
August 28, 2023

Market recap

Dow Jones

34,346.90

+247.48 (+0.73%)

S&P 500

4,405.71

+29.40 (+0.67%)

Nasdaq

13,590.65

+126.67 (+0.94%)

Tesla

$238.59

+$8.55 (+3.72%)

Mattel

$21.86

+$0.59 (+2.77%)

Peloton

$5.83

+$0.32 (+5.71%)

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Top Story

American households face a tough financial choice

Most of the wealth accumulated during the pandemic has dissipated, forcing American households to choose between spending savings, taking on debt or leaving the wallet at home altogether.

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US stocks finished higher on Friday following Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech

•   Powell warned that inflation is still above the central bank’s target of around 2% and that additional interest rate increases are on the table. He noted the Fed will remain flexible as it contemplates further moves.

•   Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric (HEI) for damages over the deadly wildfires, accusing the power company of leaving its power lines energized despite fire risk warnings. The county said it will cost more than $5 billion to rebuild Lahaina, citing initial estimates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

What to be on the lookout for today

•   No major economic reports or earnings calls are scheduled today.

When does leasing a car make sense?

Want to break the ice in a roomful of strangers? Ask whether it’s better to buy or lease a car, and enjoy the passionate debate that follows. As with many things in life, the answer is: it depends. Here are three things to consider when deciding whether to buy or lease your next car.

1.    How will you use the car? The average mileage limit for a leased car is 15,000 per year. That sounds like a lot, but what if you change jobs and have to commute 40 miles to the office? Your 1,600 monthly commuter miles leave no wiggle room for road trips and weekend getaways. Not only that, but many leases stipulate that you pay for any “excess” wear and tear.

2.    Compare monthly payments. The average car lease costs $500 a month, while the average payment on a new, financed car is $550 per month. Of course, at the end of the loan term, you’ll own the car.

3.    Consider maintenance costs. Leasing a car means always driving a new vehicle, with presumably fewer mechanical issues. Plus, maintenance may be covered under your agreement. On the flip side, if you’re looking to buy a used car, you’ll need to consider maintenance and repairs in the future.

A budget tracker can help you create a plan to accommodate your new monthly payment. And you can track your vehicle’s real-time value in the SoFi app with Auto Tracker.


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Today’s top stories

EVs could give car dealerships a shocking makeover
To get ahead in the electric vehicle race, other automakers are looking to replicate Tesla’s (TLSA) direct-to-consumer approach. Will this leave dealerships in the rearview mirror?
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Toys aren't just for kids anymore
From collectible Barbies to nostalgic LEGO sets, Mattel (MAT) and its peers are increasingly targeting “kidults.” Could the toy industry be growing up?
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How to buy homeowners insurance in 2023
Learn 5 important steps to consider when shopping for homeowners insurance, plus get tips on scoring the best rate on your homeowner’s policy this year.
Read more >>

Not-so-breaking news

Financial planner tip of the day

“Consider using budgeting apps to help you keep track of your spending and savings. Your time is likely better spent planning and monitoring your budget than it is manually entering your purchases and transactions.”

Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi

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