All posts by PARKERYL

The price of gold hit an all-time high Thursday, with shares of Newmont (NEM) and other miners surging along with it as investors sought safe haven assets amid tariff-fueled volatility. 

The price of gold was up nearly 4% Thursday afternoon to a record $3,193.80 per ounce. Meanwhile, Newmont shares rose close to 5%, making it best-performing stock in the S&P 500 Thursday. Barrick Gold (GOLD) shares added nearly 4%, while Kinross Gold (KGC) climbed 5%, and Gold Fields (GFI) jumped over 8% to close at an all-time high.

Long viewed as a safe haven asset, investors have flocked to gold amid worries about tariffs and economic uncertainty. Thursday’s rally for gold and miner stocks came as broader markets declined, giving back a significant chunk of Wednesday’s historic gains. (Read Investopedia’s live coverage of today’s market action here.)

U.S. stock futures point slightly higher as investors digest tariffs developments while watching for bank earnings; China raises its tariffs on the U.S. to 125%; JPMorgan Chase (JPM) shares rise in premarket trading as the bank reports better-than-expected results; gold futures hit a record high as investors seek safety amid stock market volatility; and wholesale inflation is expected to have ticked higher in March while consumer sentiment is forecast to have fallen again. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Higher as Markets Eye Tariffs, Bank Earnings

U.S. stock futures are pointing marginally higher after indexes plunged Thursday on ongoing tariffs anxiety. Investors are watching for wholesale inflation and consumer sentiment reports today, along with first-quarter results from some of the biggest banks. Nasdaq futures are higher by 0.2% after shedding 4.3% yesterday, while S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also are slightly higher after sliding in the prior session. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is rising to trade at over $82,500. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note and oil futures are little changed.

2. China Hikes Tariffs on US to 125% in Latest Tit-for-Tat

China announced it would hike tariffs on the U.S. to 125% Friday, a day after President Donald Trump said that U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods would be raised to reach the level of 145%. China said it wouldn’t raise tariffs on the U.S. any further, arguing that the current levels effectively price U.S. goods out of Chinese markets. The Stoxx Europe 600 index is edging lower as markets digest the news. Asian shares closed before China’s latest move, with Japan’s Nikkei ending down 3% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng up 1.1%.

3. JPMorgan Results Top Estimates; Dimon Warns of ‘Considerable Turbulence’

Shares of JPMorgan Chase (JPM) are about 1.5% higher in premarket trading after the bank reported better-than-expected results while warning of potential impacts from tariffs. The banking giant reported earnings per share (EPS) of $5.07 on revenue of $45.31 billion, while analysts had expected $4.64 and $43.55 billion, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said the economy was facing “considerable turbulence” and that the bank was preparing for a “wide range of scenarios.”

4. Gold Hits Another Record High as Investors Seek Safe Havens

Gold futures are continuing to trade at record-high levels as investors seek safe haven from market volatility. After the yellow metal rose by 4% Thursday, futures are up a further 2% at more than $3,200 Friday morning. Gold miner shares are continuing their surge in premarket trading, with shares of Newmont (NEM), Barrick Gold (GOLD), and Kinross Gold (KGC) up by more than 3% and Gold Fields (GFI) stock 4% higher after hitting a record in the prior session.

5. Wholesale Inflation Seen Having Ticked Higher in March

Wholesale inflation is expected to have risen in March when the Producer Price Index (PPI) data is released at 8:30 a.m. ET. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires forecast that wholesaler prices were 0.2% higher than in February, when levels were unchanged month-over-month. Investors are also watching Friday’s preliminary Michigan consumer sentiment survey for April, which economists expect will show another decline when it is released at 10 a.m. ET.

Setting up a 529 account is one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for a child’s education. Superfunding such an account—making a lump-sum contribution of up to $95,000 if you’re giving as an individual ($190,000 if you’re giving as a couple) that’s spread across five years.

That loophole allows you to give funds that aren’t counted against your lifetime gift tax exemption limit. To qualify for this strategy, you must contribute at least $19,000. And the contributions can even reduce your taxable estate. Here’s what you need to know.

Strategies for Superfunding a 529 Account

Today, the average cost for private, non-profit college tuition is $234,512 over four years, with tuition costs growing by more than twofold since 2000. To make progress toward a child’s education costs, the 529 allows you to save for the following expenses:

• Undergraduate degrees
• Qualifying graduate degrees
• Trade school
• Kindergarten to grade 12 (annual limit: $10,000)

As educational costs continue to rise, here are some useful tips for superfunding a 529 account.

1. Know Your Contribution Limits

In 2025, if you’re giving as an individual, the most you can contribute while superfunding a 529 account is $95,000 over five years, up from $90,000 in 2024. For married couples, the most both can contribute is $190,000.

Each person must file IRS Form 709: Gift Tax Return individually for gift tax purposes. For each individual, this contribution is averaged across five years, with up to $19,000 contributed each year over the period ($19,000 x 5 = $95,000).

In addition, the contribution must be more than $19,000 in order to be eligible for the five-year tax averaging rule. 

It’s worth noting that it’s important to consider other gifts that have been given over the year, which will reduce the amount that can be used in this account. For instance, if someone gifted $3,000 in stock awards in a year, the annual 529 eligible amount would decrease to $16,000.

2. Prepare for Future Contributions

The annual limit typically rises over time. In 2022, for example, it was $16,000 per year. In 2025, it’s $19,000.

If the annual limit is raised, it provides you the opportunity to contribute more to your 529 account. For example, let’s say you decided to contribute the maximum $90,000 in 2024 over five years ($90,000 / 5 = $18,000 per year). In 2025, you can contribute another $1,000 and still stay within the annual limit of $19,000. (However, you cannot make a lump-sum contribution of $5,000 in 2025, since this would then exceed the annual limit of $19,000.)

3. Withdraw All Funds Prior to Graduation—or Transfer Up to $35,000 to a Roth IRA

When you exhaust the funds in a 529 account by graduation, you can avoid the penalty for withdrawing unused funds, which is a 10% penalty set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Keep in mind, however, that the rules for 529 plans are treated differently from state to state.

For withdrawals, it’s important to plan carefully. Here are the qualifying expenses that can be used with this account:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board for half-time or more educational enrollment 
• Tutoring and other services
• Books, computers, and equipment such as software

In some cases, there are exceptions to withdrawals that waive the 10% IRS penalty. (However, income taxes still apply to any earnings made on the distribution.) These exceptions include:

• The beneficiary receives a tax-free scholarship
• The beneficiary attends a U.S. Military Academy
• The beneficiary is provided assistance from a qualifying employer program
• The beneficiary becomes disabled
• The beneficiary dies

In addition, it is possible to roll over 529 funds into a Roth individual retirement account (IRA). The lifetime maximum is $35,000, and the 529 account must have been open for a minimum of 15 years.

The Bottom Line

Superfunding a 529 account offers many tax advantages. Unlike a traditional savings account, withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax-free. In addition, income earned in the account is not subject to capital gains tax when an investment is sold, making it an attractive tool for setting up a child’s long-term success.

Pet owners consider their pets family members and want to provide them with the medical care they need. But much like healthcare for humans, pet healthcare can be expensive, particularly if a pet requires emergency care or suffers from a chronic condition.

Fortunately, there are often vet office discounts and other cost-saving options available. Read on to learn how to save money while ensuring your furry family members get the care they deserve.

Referral Discounts

Any business appreciates current customers referring new customers, and vets are no different. Kelly Broussard, a pet care service owner, explains, “Naturally, pet owners want a vet they can trust, so they often ask me for a recommendation. One personal recommendation is worth more than ten anonymous online reviews.”

Because this type of word-of-mouth advertising is so valuable, many vets offer incentives for clients who refer new patients to their practice. The incentives can include a percentage off of your next visit, a complimentary grooming service, or a free wellness check. If you’re happy with your vet’s care, don’t hesitate to let other pet owners know. It can save you money.

Coupons and Promotions

Another way to save is to watch for coupons and promotions that some vet offices offer. Some vets run seasonal promotions during the slower business months of the year or to coincide with special events like National Pet Dental Health Month, which is February.

Be sure to sign up for your vet’s newsletter and follow their social media accounts to be alerted to promotional events and discounts. Some practices also offer discounts for first-time customers, so it’s worthwhile to ask.

Preventative Care Packages

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Many veterinary clinics offer preventative care packages with discounted rates on essential services such as wellness checkups, vaccinations, and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.

By paying upfront, you may be able to save 10-30% compared to paying for each service individually. These care packages can be especially cost-effective for those with multiple pets, as some vets offer further discounts for multi-pet clients. Of course, preventative care can also save money over the longer term as minor issues can be detected and dealt with before they become chronic and more costly to treat.

Pet Insurance

While pet insurance isn’t a discount, it is one of the best ways to reduce the cost of vet care. “I recommend pet insurance to all my clients,” Broussard says. “It can really make a difference in the cost of care, particularly in the event of an emergency or for pets with chronic conditions like diabetes.”

Pet insurance works like human health insurance. You pay a monthly premium, and the policy covers a portion of your pet’s medical expenses, like wellness exams and routine vaccinations.

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance

If your pet has an unexpected and costly emergency or a major procedure, many vet offices will work with you to provide a payment plan or financial assistance options. Some offices work with organizations that offer grants or low-interest loans to help pet owners afford the cost of care. There are also non-profit organizations dedicated to helping pet owners cover medical expenses, such as Pet Fund or RedRover.

Loyalty Programs

The cost of retaining customers is typically lower than the cost of finding new ones. Understanding this, some vet clinics offer rewards programs for loyal customers. The programs may offer points per dollar spent or discounts after a certain number of visits. These programs are a great way to thank customers and reward loyalty.

The Bottom Line

Don’t be afraid to ask what savings opportunities are available with pet care. While many vets may offer various ways to reduce the cost of your pet’s care, they may not offer them outright. Sometimes, you simply have to ask.

By taking advantage of referral programs, discounts, preventive care packages, and pet insurance, you can reduce the cost of caring for your pet without sacrificing the quality of that care so they will be a part of your family for many years.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) on Friday reported better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results as big banks kicked off the new earnings season.

The banking giant reported earnings per share (EPS) of $5.07 on revenue of $45.31 billion, each up from $4.44 and $41.93 billion, respectively, a year ago. Analysts had expected $4.64 and $43.55 billion, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. It generated $23.4 billion in net interest income (NII), above the $23.00 billion consensus.

Shares of JPMorgan were up 3.5% soon after the opening bell Friday. They entered the day down roughly 5% year-to-date but up about 16% in the last 12 months.

“The economy is facing considerable turbulence (including geopolitics), with the potential positives of tax reform and deregulation and the potential negatives of tariffs and ‘trade wars,’ ongoing sticky inflation, high fiscal deficits and still rather high asset prices and volatility,” JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said. “As always, we hope for the best but prepare the Firm for a wide range of scenarios.”

Dimon wrote in his annual letter to shareholders this week that he expected the Trump administration’s tariffs “will slow down growth.”

Analysts had said leading up to earnings season that that while tariffs may not directly affect the banks themselves, they likely will take a toll on their customers. Wells Fargo (WFC) and Morgan Stanley (MS) also report Friday, while others like Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (C) are set to report next week.

UPDATE—This article has been updated with the latest share price information.

More big banks are set to report earnings this week, along with entertainment and health care giants, after some of the world’s biggest banks reported earnings Friday and markets capped off a volatile trading week as investors reacted to the latest announcements on tariffs.

Goldman Sachs (GS), Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), Netflix (NFLX), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM), United Airlines (UAL), and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) are among the companies scheduled to report this week. 

The week is also set to bring updates on retail sales as economists watch for slower consumer spending, while housing starts and homebuilder confidence data could offer insights on the housing market. 

Monday, April 14

• Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic are scheduled to deliver remarks
• Goldman Sachs, M&T Bank (MTB), Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP), FB Financial (FBK), and Applied Digital (APLD) are scheduled to report earnings

Tuesday, April 15

• Federal income tax filing deadline
• Import/export price index (March)
• Empire State Manufacturing Index (April)
• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Bank of America, Citigroup, PNC Financial (PNC), Ericsson (ERIC), and United Airlines are scheduled to report earnings

Wednesday, April 16

• U.S. retail sales (March)
• Industrial production/capacity utilization (March)
• Business inventories (February)
• Homebuilder confidence index (April)
• Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan are scheduled to deliver remarks
• ASML Holdings (ASML), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Prologis (PLD), U.S. Bancorp (USB), Kinder Morgan (KMI), Travelers (TRV), and CSX (CSX) are scheduled to report earnings

Thursday, April 17

• Initial jobless claims (Week ending April 12)
• Housing starts (March)
• Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey (April)
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, UnitedHealth Group, Netflix, American Express (AXP), Marsh McLennan (MMC), Blackstone (BX), and Truist Financial (TFC) are scheduled to report earnings

Friday, April 18

• San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly is scheduled to deliver remarks

Retail Sales, Housing Data Due Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Retail sales data for March comes amid indications that consumer spending may be slowing after sales declined in January and recovered slightly in February. After declining last month, the retail report’s data on restaurant and bar spending could offer insights into consumers’ appetite for spending amid worries of an economic slowdown spurred by President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. 

Housing market data is also on tap this week. Thursday’s scheduled release of March housing starts will give investors an update on housing supply as low levels of inventory are exacerbating housing affordability issues. Earlier in the week, the homebuilder confidence survey will provide insight into construction expectations as builders brace for added costs from tariffs. 

More Big Banks Set To Report Earnings

As several large financial firms report this week, investors will likely be watching what executives have to say about the impacts of President Trump’s tariff policy and economic uncertainty. On Friday, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said he expects more companies to suspend their full-year outlooks and warned of “considerable turbulence.”

Goldman Sachs is scheduled to report earnings on Monday after the bank reported profits and revenue that shot past analyst estimates in the prior quarter. Bank of America and Citibank are set to follow Tuesday, with M&T Bank, PNC Financial, American Express, and U.S. Bancorp also due to release results this week.

Netflix’s scheduled report on Thursday comes after the streaming giant reported strong revenue gains and raised its 2025 revenue forecast in the previous quarter. The report is expected to be the first where Netflix doesn’t provide subscriber numbers. 

TSMC’s (TSM) expected earnings on Thursday come after the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer posted a better-than-expected profit in its prior quarterly earnings report.

UnitedHealth Group is scheduled to report on Thursday, after the health insurer reported a 7% year-over-year growth in revenue in the prior quarter that came in below analyst estimates.

Netflix (NFLX) is scheduled to report first-quarter results after the closing bell Thursday, with analysts suggesting the streaming giant could be well-positioned to weather an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

In a recent note to clients, JPMorgan called Netflix the “most resilient” company it tracks, given the streamer’s strong subscriber base, with members watching an average of two hours of content per day. The bank holds an “overweight” rating and $1,025 price target for the stock. 

Morgan Stanley also named Netflix a “top pick,” expecting the company could “demonstrate relative resilience in a weaker global macro.” The analysts called the pullback in Netflix shares in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement on April 2 a “buying opportunity” for investors. 

Most Netflix Analysts Rate Stock a ‘Buy’

All told, 14 of the 18 analysts covering Netflix tracked by Visible Alpha have “buy” or equivalent ratings for the stock, with the remainder issuing a “hold” rating. Their consensus price target of about $1,097 would suggest nearly 20% upside from Friday’s close.

Netflix is expected to report revenue of $10.5 billion, up 12% year-over-year, and net income of $2.48 billion, or $5.69 per share, rising from $2.33 billion, or $5.28 per share, a year earlier. 

Netflix shares have risen nearly 50% over the past 12 months, at $918.29 as of Friday’s close.

As the trade war between the United States and China escalates, electronics and appliances could become more expensive for Americans.

President Donald Trump has paused his “retaliatory” tariffs on most foreign imports. However, he has raised the total tariffs levied against Chinese goods to 145% in response to Beijing imposing its own retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.

That will likely increase the costs of Chinese-made goods as importers will likely pass those costs onto American consumers, economists say. China is the U.S.’s top supplier, making up 16.5% of imports into the U.S., according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

In 2024, the top imports from China were electrical machinery and equipment, such as microchips, phones, and batteries. The second biggest imports include nuclear reactors, boilers, and other machinery; these imports are typically used in things like factories, hot water heaters, refrigerators, and dishwashers.

Shares of Newmont (NEM) and other miners surged Friday, while the price of gold climbed to fresh highs as investors flocked to safe haven assets amid economic uncertainty. 

The price of gold was up over 2% Friday to a record $3,248.20 per ounce, topping highs set just a day earlier. Shares of gold miner Newmont jumped nearly 8%, propelling it to lead gains on the S&P 500, extending its rally earlier this week. Other miner stocks including Barrick Gold (GOLD), Kinross Gold (KGC), and Gold Fields (GFI) also rose. 

Traditionally viewed as a safe haven asset, investors have piled into gold in recent weeks as worries about President Donald Trump’s rapidly shifting trade policies rattle markets, sending the precious metal’s price up more than 20% since the start of the year. 

The S&P 500 was slightly lower in recent trading after some of the world’s largest banks, including JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Wells Fargo (WFC), reported better-than-expected earnings but warned President Donald Trump’s tariffs could slow economic growth. (Read Investopedia’s live coverage of today’s market action here.)