Central bankers from around the world have expressed full support for U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This comes after President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with the Fed by threatening criminal charges. The central bankers, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, emphasized the importance of central bank independence for economic stability. The dispute ostensibly centers on Powell's congressional testimony in June about renovation costs, but Trump has criticized Powell for not cutting rates faster. Economists warn that a politicized Fed could harm its credibility.

Inflation declined a bit last month as prices for gas and used cars fell, a sign that cost pressures are slowly easing. The Labor Department said Tuesday that consumer prices rose 0.3% in December from the prior month, the same as in November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.2%, also matching November's figure. Even as inflation has eased, the large price increases for necessities such as groceries, rent, and health care have left many American households feeling squeezed, turning "affordability" issues into high-profile political concerns.

Nearly 30 years after Polly Chan moved to the Peninsula from Hong Kong, she and her husband felt they had achieved most of the American dream …

I recently dug into the pros and cons of dividend reinvestment. Readers of the article sent me questions about other dividend-related topics. …

The start of a new year usually brings new motivation to achieve goals. Sometimes it involves eating healthier or finally cleaning your basement. But, for many, it can also include goals to pay off credit card debt, save for a new house, or simply get more educated about money. As many start writing their New Year's resolutions, financial goals are also making the list. When building your goals for 2026, experts recommend focusing less on the past and more on an optimistic yet realistic vision for the future.