• People Hawk TikTok-Loaded Phones for Thousands
  
  People are listing phones preloaded with TikTok for tens of thousands of dollars on eBay, Facebook marketplace and other online storefronts - though it is not clear if there are many buyers at those prices.
• House Prices Hit Record $407K Median High in 2024
  
  U.S. existing home sales increased to a 10-month high in December, but further gains are likely to be limited by elevated mortgage rates and house prices, which are keeping many prospective buyers on the sidelines.
• Wall St Week Ahead: Fed's Rate-Cut View to Test Stock Rally
  
  The Federal Reserve's first meeting of 2025 in the coming week stands to test the resurgence in U.S. stocks as investors gauge the extent of more equity-friendly interest rate cuts in the months ahead.
• Ford Recalls 270K Broncos, Mavericks for Power Problem
  
  Ford Motor Co. is recalling 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a power problem that can cause vehicles to stop unexpectedly or fail to start.
• Amazon Prime Video Shifts Focus to Live Sports
  
  Amazon's Prime Video has shifted its strategic focus towards live sports and away from original television shows and movies, seeking to meet internal corporate profit targets, The Information reported Friday.
• Gold Set for 4th Straight Weekly Gain on Trump Tumult
  
  Gold prices hit their highest level since October Friday and headed for a fourth straight week of gains, steered by U.S. President Donald Trump's calls to lower interest rates and uncertainty surrounding his trade policies.
• US Stock Futures Dip on Trump Policy Uncertainty
  
  U.S. stock index futures dipped Friday, as uncertainty about President Donald Trump's trade policies prevailed, while investors also awaited data and corporate earnings reports that could throw light on the state of the economy.
• Stocks Gain on Trump Comments on Tariffs, Oil, Rates
  
  Global stock markets rose Friday, after U.S. President Donald Trump's latest comments were seen as taking a softer stance towards tariffs against China and raised the prospect of lower U.S. interest rates.
• OpenAI Unveils Tool to Automate Web Tasks
  
  Generative artificial intelligence heavyweight OpenAI Thursday previewed an AI agent that can carry out tasks on the web for users, as it seeks to enhance its chatbot amid intensifying competition.
• Samsung Aims to Turn Galaxy Phones Into AI Sidekicks
  
  Samsung is injecting another dose of artificial intelligence into its next lineup of Galaxy smartphones, escalating an effort to simplify people's lives while deepening their dependence on a device that accompanies them almost everywhere.
• LinkedIn Sued for Training AI With User Info
  
  Microsoft's LinkedIn has been sued by Premium customers who said the business-focused social media platform disclosed their private messages to third parties without permission to train generative artificial intelligence models.
• Trump Uncertainties Push Gold Near All-Time Highs
  
  Gold prices soared to near three-month highs Wednesday, trading below its record peak, fueled by a soft dollar and lack of clarity around U.S. President Donald Trump's policy plans, which investors fear could trigger trade wars and elevate market volatility.
• Crypto Bets Big on Trump
  
  After pouring record sums of money into the 2024 U.S. elections, the cryptocurrency industry is hopeful - if not certain - of a newly friendly reception from D.C. policymakers after what it perceived to be a hostile environment in the Biden administration.
• Investing Under a Trump Stock Market
  
  The landslide victory by President Trump in 2024 and second Trump presidency, supported by a sympathetic House and Senate, could bring a variety of policy shifts that might influence various sectors of the economy.
• 3 Dividend Stocks for Lasting Retirement Income
  
  The S&P 500 Index is coming off another strong year, rising 23% in 2024. As a result of a long-running bull market, the average dividend yield of the index has come down to just 1.3%. This is not a high enough yield for many retirement investors who desire higher investment...
• NJ Gov. Murphy Presses Trump to End NY Congestion Pricing
  
  New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pressed President Donald Trump to eliminate New York’s congestion pricing, calling the program a "disaster for New Jersey commuters" that "must receive the close look it deserves from the federal government."
• KIA's EV6 GT Chock Full of Features, Performance
  
  The 2024 Kia EV6 GT is the apex of Kia's foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market.
• 3 Quality Stocks for Dividend Growth
  
  Income investors typically focus on stocks with high dividend yields. However, investors with a longer time horizon should also consider dividend growth stocks, as these may provide more income over the long run.
• Markets Optimistic as Trump Returns to White House
  
  Investors welcomed Donald Trump's second inauguration, anticipating a pro-business agenda, while remaining wary of his protectionist trade policies, particularly his stance on tariffs.
• N.Y. Gov. Hochul's Tax Will Send Gas Prices Soaring
  
  New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed "Cap and Invest" gas tax will hit working-class families hardest, raising the cost of fuel, heating, and everyday essentials, while doing nothing to address the affordability crisis she helped create.
• Tactically Bearish Moves as Risks Increase
  
  In last week's discussion with Thoughtful Money, I noted that we are becoming more "tactically bearish" as we progress into 2025. While we have remained primarily bullish in equity positioning over the last two years, several risks are now worth considering.
• Time to Invest in International Stocks With Value & Upside
  
  Investing in international stocks presents a compelling opportunity in today's global market landscape. Historically, market performance trends have shown that international equities often outperform U.S. equities in certain decades.
• LA Fires Will Drastically Drive up Your Car Insurance
  
  Car insurance is mandatory in every state. While it's different coverage, it's still required. Car insurance protects you and other drivers in an accident, theft or damage. That includes if your vehicle burned down in the California fires.
• Navigating the Post-Election Investing Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
  
  Since the election this past November, I've been closely watching for both big changes in our economy as well as the more subtle but often more impactful changes.
• Ozempic Among 15 Drugs Chosen for Medicare Price Negotiations
  
  Popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been added to Medicare's list of medications that will be negotiated directly between the government and drug manufacturers, the Biden administration said Friday.

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