Breaking News

Business

FUTURES FILES

Silver gets slammed as buck gets boosted Silver, gold, platinum, and copper all took it on the chin after the retail sales report was released by the Census Bureau Thursday. The report indicated retail sales increased sharply when a drop in sales was anticipated due to Covid-19. The rationale for the heavy metal selling was that more robust sales indicate less need for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates to boost the economy. Lower rates tend to stimulate inflation so metal traders dumped silver and gold positions they were holding onto in expectation of lower retail ...

Reynolds celebrates 75 years in business

On Aug. 25, Reynolds Insurance Agency in New Town celebrated is 75th anniversary with an open house. A memory lane spanning the years 1946 - 2021 was set up in the meeting room with pictures, awards, and memorabilia items on display for visitors to view. Hardin Reynolds established ...

Manchin favors trimming Biden budget plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator vital to the fate of President Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion plan for social and environmental spending said Sunday he won’t support even half that amount or the ambitious timetable envisioned for passing it. The stand by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., was described as unacceptable by the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who is helping craft the measure. But Democrats have no votes to spare if they want to enact Biden’s massive “Build Back Better” agenda, with the Senate split 50-50 and Vice President Kamala Harris the tiebreaker if ...

4 ways to manage retirement health care costs

(AP) — Health care in retirement is a big-ticket item. Experts estimate that an average 65-year-old retired couple in 2021 would need about $300,000 in after-tax savings earmarked for health care costs in their post-work life, even with Medicare, according to Fidelity. The totals are daunting, but you can take steps to keep costs as low as possible with the right planning, good insurance choices and a healthy understanding of your conditions and coverage. Try these strategies — now and in retirement — to help control your health care bills. 1. Take advantage of an HSA A ...

FUTURES FILES

Natural gas price explodes Natural gas prices have nearly doubled in the past 12 months, reaching $5.06 per million British Thermal Units (BTUs) early Friday morning. (A BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.) It has been over 12 years since prices were this high, and they could fly sharply higher in the event of a colder than usual winter. Gas, which is the main source of home heating in the U.S., is also used to generate electricity for manufacturing industrial products, chemicals and fertilizers. Supply ...

Town & Country Credit Union named one of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America

Town & Country Credit Union recently received an A+ financial health grade and was named one of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America for 2021. DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, analyzes financial institutions nationwide and publishes the Top 200 list for healthy banks and credit unions each year. “Our members trust us with their money and we don’t take that responsibility lightly,” said Jeremiah Kossen, president/CEO of Town & Country Credit Union. “This A+ financial health grade recognizes our efforts to maintain a strong credit union and keep our ...