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The year is almost over so it’s time to look ahead to 2024. Investors will still be watching the Fed in the new year, but it might have a different flavor.
• The Dow notched another record high thanks to this week’s rally.
• Adobe shares fell 6.4% on weaker-than-expected guidance, even as the company beat earnings expectations.
• Shares of drug makers Moderna and Merck moved significantly after promising data on skin cancer treatments combining Moderna’s experimental cancer vaccine and Merck’s Keytruda therapy. The news sent Moderna’s shares 9.3% higher and Merck stock 1.2% lower.
• Shares of General Motors rose 6.7% on layoff news at its wholly-owned robotaxi company Cruise, which announced to cut 24% of its workforce, or 900 employees.
• Intel shares rose 1.4% after revealing its new AI chip, which is slated to compete with NVIDIA and AMD next year.
• Oil prices rose 3.2% from a five-month low after a larger-than-expected drawdown of 4.3 million barrels from U.S. stockpiles.
• November retail sales rose 0.3% compared to an expected decline of 0.1%, highlighting continued resilience in consumer spending during the holiday shopping season in spite of higher prices on many goods.
• The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined more than expected in the week ended December 9th, hitting the lowest level in two months.
• The NY Empire state manufacturing index, and industrial production data.
• We’ll also get an earnings report from Olive Garden-owner Darden Restaurants.
Debt is a financial burden at any age — but it can be especially tough to pay down when you’re no longer working and on a fixed income.
The good news is that debt levels tend to drop as you enter your golden years.
Even though more than two-thirds of families in the age group of 55-64 are in debt, with an average balance of $69,000, these numbers drop as people move further into retirement age as they pay off personal loans and mortgages. For the group aged 75+, average debt balances are just over $20,000, with fewer than half of all households in debt.
Small expenses adding up
But there is one concerning trend among the older age groups: credit card debt. More than 40% of those aged 65-74 are carrying a high balance on their credit cards, suggesting they’re relying on this high-interest channel for their spending. Not paying your credit card bill in full is costly since it means you will also be paying interest on top of the balance.
If you feel like you might benefit from tracking your money more closely, SoFi can help and take the first step to financial wellness.
Other news that caught our eye
Amazon confirmed that its satellite internet service company Project Kuiper’s technology works in space.
AT&T will purchase commercial electric vehicles from Rivian in 2024 as part of a plan to reduce costs and cut carbon emissions.
The Biden administration will impose inflation penalties on drugmakers to reduce costs for Medicare recipients.
Meta will open up Threads to users in the European Union. The social media giant had previously held off on launching the platform in Europe due to tighter local regulations.
Former BP CEO Bernard Looney will forfeit nearly $40 million in severance for misleading the company’s board about his “historical relationships with colleagues.”
Financial planner tip of the day
“Where you put your 20% savings can help you reach your goals. High-yield savings accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, and cash management accounts are all vehicles that may pay more interest than a traditional savings account, helping your savings grow.”
Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi