21 days ago
Selling appreciated stock and donating cash still leaves the full capital gain in Medicare's MAGI, potentially triggering IRMAA surcharges two years later.
A couple adding a $90,000 gain to $200,000 in normal income can face $5,770 in extra annual Medicare premiums, even after donating every dollar to charity.
Donating appreciated shares held over a year directly to charity keeps the gain out of MAGI entirely, avoiding IRMAA; those over 70.5 can also use a QCD up to $111,000.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ***** ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
A 72-year-old retiree has held Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B) shares for decades. This fall he sells $100,000 worth of stock he bought for $10,000, then writes a check for the full amount to his church's building fund. He ***** umes the gift wipes out the income Medicare sees. For his income tax bill, the gift helps. For Medicare, the $90,000 gain stays on his return, and it will raise his premiums two years from now.
#medicare #magi #Stock
A couple adding a $90,000 gain to $200,000 in normal income can face $5,770 in extra annual Medicare premiums, even after donating every dollar to charity.
Donating appreciated shares held over a year directly to charity keeps the gain out of MAGI entirely, avoiding IRMAA; those over 70.5 can also use a QCD up to $111,000.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ***** ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
A 72-year-old retiree has held Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B) shares for decades. This fall he sells $100,000 worth of stock he bought for $10,000, then writes a check for the full amount to his church's building fund. He ***** umes the gift wipes out the income Medicare sees. For his income tax bill, the gift helps. For Medicare, the $90,000 gain stays on his return, and it will raise his premiums two years from now.
#medicare #magi #Stock
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#advertiser
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#advertiser
1 month ago
Medicare's two-year income lookback makes age 63 the last year a Roth conversion won't directly raise your Medicare premiums at 65.
Married couples can convert roughly $133,000 annually within the 22% bracket, but crossing the $218,000 IRMAA threshold triggers surcharges for both spouses.
Delaying Social Security to 70 preserves low-income years for conversions, since every dollar of benefits claimed adds an invisible marginal rate on top of conversion income.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
A 63-year-old with $1.4 million in a traditional 401(k) has a narrower Roth conversion window than the calendar suggests. Medicare enrollment at 65 uses a two-year lookback on modified adjusted gross income, which means the conversion executed at 63 is the one that sets Medicare premiums at 65. The real deadline arrives earlier than most people expect.
#income #roth #lookback
Married couples can convert roughly $133,000 annually within the 22% bracket, but crossing the $218,000 IRMAA threshold triggers surcharges for both spouses.
Delaying Social Security to 70 preserves low-income years for conversions, since every dollar of benefits claimed adds an invisible marginal rate on top of conversion income.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
A 63-year-old with $1.4 million in a traditional 401(k) has a narrower Roth conversion window than the calendar suggests. Medicare enrollment at 65 uses a two-year lookback on modified adjusted gross income, which means the conversion executed at 63 is the one that sets Medicare premiums at 65. The real deadline arrives earlier than most people expect.
#income #roth #lookback
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#Visa #part #stores #mastercard
Visa and Mastercard ATM cash withdrawals spanning roughly 19 years are part of a class-action lawsuit settlement totaling $167.5 million.
The case, known as Burke v. Visa Inc., involves independent ATMs often found in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and bars — non-bank locations that often levy surcharges on cash withdrawals.
Here's who is eligible for a cash payment as part of the settlement.
Read more: Just received a settlement? 5 smart ways to use the money.
#Visa #part #stores #mastercard
1 month ago
When a spouse dies, Social Security drops to one check, but fixed costs like taxes, amenity fees, and utilities do not drop at all.
A surviving single filer's standard deduction drops from $31,500 to $15,750 and Medicare surcharges kick in at half the income threshold.
Run the survivor math now: fixed costs minus survivor income, divided by 3.5% withdrawal rate, reveals if the portfolio actually covers it.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
People often ask about retiring to a place like The Villages in central Florida, and the math usually works for a healthy couple. What almost **** ody asks, until it is too late to plan for, is what happens when the couple becomes one person in the same house. Widowhood, divorce, a spouse moving into memory care. One of you will almost certainly face it. Here is what the numbers actually look like on the other side of that day.
#income
A surviving single filer's standard deduction drops from $31,500 to $15,750 and Medicare surcharges kick in at half the income threshold.
Run the survivor math now: fixed costs minus survivor income, divided by 3.5% withdrawal rate, reveals if the portfolio actually covers it.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
People often ask about retiring to a place like The Villages in central Florida, and the math usually works for a healthy couple. What almost **** ody asks, until it is too late to plan for, is what happens when the couple becomes one person in the same house. Widowhood, divorce, a spouse moving into memory care. One of you will almost certainly face it. Here is what the numbers actually look like on the other side of that day.
#income
1 month ago
AARP projects a 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027, adding roughly $75 monthly to the average check, while the Senior Citizens League forecasts 3.5%.
The official COLA drops October 14, but the Medicare Part B premium that offsets it won't be announced until November, leaving budgeters with incomplete data.
Hold-harmless rules protect most retirees from net payment cuts, but higher-income enrollees facing IRMAA surcharges and newly enrolled Medicare recipients get no such protection.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
The projected Social Security raise for 2027 is the biggest in years, and it is also a moving target, according to recent reports. In the same week, two of the most closely watched forecasters revised their estimates in opposite directions. Neither is official, and the actual number will not be announced until October; the Medicare premium that determines how much of the raise reaches a retiree's bank account will not be announced until November. Anyone budgeting today is working with half the picture.
#medicare #announced #november
The official COLA drops October 14, but the Medicare Part B premium that offsets it won't be announced until November, leaving budgeters with incomplete data.
Hold-harmless rules protect most retirees from net payment cuts, but higher-income enrollees facing IRMAA surcharges and newly enrolled Medicare recipients get no such protection.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
The projected Social Security raise for 2027 is the biggest in years, and it is also a moving target, according to recent reports. In the same week, two of the most closely watched forecasters revised their estimates in opposite directions. Neither is official, and the actual number will not be announced until October; the Medicare premium that determines how much of the raise reaches a retiree's bank account will not be announced until November. Anyone budgeting today is working with half the picture.
#medicare #announced #november
1 month ago
Retiring at 62 and living off a 401(k) until 70 keeps a couple in the 12% tax bracket, with an effective federal rate near 8% on roughly $133,000 in annual withdrawals.
Delaying Social Security to 70 grows each spouse's benefit by 8% per year, producing roughly $6,200 combined monthly in guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income plus a maximized survivor benefit.
Medicare's two-year income lookback means couples must keep joint MAGI below $218,000 or face IRMAA surcharges that add over $160 per month in Part B premiums.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
A 62-year-old couple with $1.8 million in a traditional 401(k) and matching $3,100 monthly Social Security benefits available at full retirement age is looking at one of the most tax-efficient windows in the entire retirement code. The plan: retire now, live off the 401(k) for eight years, and switch to two delayed Social Security checks totaling roughly $6,200 a month at 70. It sounds aggressive. The math says it is close to optimal.
#security #year #benefit
Delaying Social Security to 70 grows each spouse's benefit by 8% per year, producing roughly $6,200 combined monthly in guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income plus a maximized survivor benefit.
Medicare's two-year income lookback means couples must keep joint MAGI below $218,000 or face IRMAA surcharges that add over $160 per month in Part B premiums.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
A 62-year-old couple with $1.8 million in a traditional 401(k) and matching $3,100 monthly Social Security benefits available at full retirement age is looking at one of the most tax-efficient windows in the entire retirement code. The plan: retire now, live off the 401(k) for eight years, and switch to two delayed Social Security checks totaling roughly $6,200 a month at 70. It sounds aggressive. The math says it is close to optimal.
#security #year #benefit
2 months ago
Our ***** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Management attributes the sequential improvement in comparable sales to enhanced digital conversion and the successful scaling of private brand franchises like THERMACHILL.
The company is navigating a structural shift in customer behavior driven by GLP-1 medication adoption, which has led to temporary pauses in apparel purchasing during weight loss journeys.
Performance was significantly bolstered by a $4.6 million IEEPA tariff refund, which masked a 70 basis point decline in underlying merchandise margins caused by higher markdowns and shipping surcharges.
Strategic focus has shifted toward 'Fit Authority' through the FITMAP initiative, which has scanned 150,000 customers and resulted in higher average order values and lower return rates.
#performance
Management attributes the sequential improvement in comparable sales to enhanced digital conversion and the successful scaling of private brand franchises like THERMACHILL.
The company is navigating a structural shift in customer behavior driven by GLP-1 medication adoption, which has led to temporary pauses in apparel purchasing during weight loss journeys.
Performance was significantly bolstered by a $4.6 million IEEPA tariff refund, which masked a 70 basis point decline in underlying merchandise margins caused by higher markdowns and shipping surcharges.
Strategic focus has shifted toward 'Fit Authority' through the FITMAP initiative, which has scanned 150,000 customers and resulted in higher average order values and lower return rates.
#performance
2 months ago
Medicare calculates Part B and Part D surcharges using income from two years prior, so a profitable ***** et sale can trigger higher premiums long after the money is spent.
IRMAA resets annually, so a one-time income spike typically raises premiums for only one or two years before fading as normal income returns.
Voluntary ***** et sales don't qualify for SSA-44 relief, making pre-sale income planning the only real tool to minimize Medicare surcharges.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
Picture a longtime fan who bought a personal seat license two decades ago, giving him the right to buy the same season tickets year after year. He has climbed the same stadium stairs every fall, watched his knees start to complain and finally decided the ticket rights were worth more to him as cash than as seats he uses a handful of times each season.
#income #medicare #premiums #tool
IRMAA resets annually, so a one-time income spike typically raises premiums for only one or two years before fading as normal income returns.
Voluntary ***** et sales don't qualify for SSA-44 relief, making pre-sale income planning the only real tool to minimize Medicare surcharges.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
Picture a longtime fan who bought a personal seat license two decades ago, giving him the right to buy the same season tickets year after year. He has climbed the same stadium stairs every fall, watched his knees start to complain and finally decided the ticket rights were worth more to him as cash than as seats he uses a handful of times each season.
#income #medicare #premiums #tool
2 months ago
Selling a home for $890,000 leaves roughly $328,000 taxable after the $500,000 joint exclusion, adding $9,240 in Medicare surcharges two years later.
Section 121's $500,000 joint exclusion ceiling hasn't risen with inflation since 1997, leaving longtime homeowners exposed to large taxable gains on ordinary homes.
Rebuilding cost basis with documented improvements, deferring optional IRA withdrawals, and budgeting for the Medicare surcharge from proceeds reduces the sale's financial impact.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
For more than 40 years, the house did exactly what its owners hoped it would do. A couple who paid $62,000 for their home in 1984 closes on the sale this year at $890,000. The IRS lets them exclude up to $500,000 of gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 121. Any taxable gain left after the exclusion, basis adjustments and selling expenses flows into adjusted gross income (AGI). That figure helps determine the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) Social Security uses to calculate Medicare's income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) two years later. The sale closes in 2026. The Medicare bill arrives in 2028.
#medicare #years #selling #later
Section 121's $500,000 joint exclusion ceiling hasn't risen with inflation since 1997, leaving longtime homeowners exposed to large taxable gains on ordinary homes.
Rebuilding cost basis with documented improvements, deferring optional IRA withdrawals, and budgeting for the Medicare surcharge from proceeds reduces the sale's financial impact.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
For more than 40 years, the house did exactly what its owners hoped it would do. A couple who paid $62,000 for their home in 1984 closes on the sale this year at $890,000. The IRS lets them exclude up to $500,000 of gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 121. Any taxable gain left after the exclusion, basis adjustments and selling expenses flows into adjusted gross income (AGI). That figure helps determine the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) Social Security uses to calculate Medicare's income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) two years later. The sale closes in 2026. The Medicare bill arrives in 2028.
#medicare #years #selling #later
2 months ago
No withdrawal order eliminates RMDs from a traditional IRA. Only Roth conversions, qualified charitable distributions, or never owning one in the first place can genuinely shrink them.
IRMAA surcharges hit Medicare premiums two years after the income that triggers them, jumping joint filers from $203 to $284 monthly by crossing $218,000 MAGI.
Letting an IRA compound untouched through your 60s forces larger RMDs at 73, often pushing retirees into higher brackets and through IRMAA cliffs simultaneously.
Read More: Avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they derail your future (sponsor)
A $2.1 million nest egg split evenly between a taxable brokerage account and a traditional IRA can throw off a six-figure income. What most retirees miss is that where each holding sits and when each dollar comes out determine whether Medicare surcharges and a swollen required minimum distribution eat that income a decade later.
#medicare #surcharges #retirees #magi
IRMAA surcharges hit Medicare premiums two years after the income that triggers them, jumping joint filers from $203 to $284 monthly by crossing $218,000 MAGI.
Letting an IRA compound untouched through your 60s forces larger RMDs at 73, often pushing retirees into higher brackets and through IRMAA cliffs simultaneously.
Read More: Avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they derail your future (sponsor)
A $2.1 million nest egg split evenly between a taxable brokerage account and a traditional IRA can throw off a six-figure income. What most retirees miss is that where each holding sits and when each dollar comes out determine whether Medicare surcharges and a swollen required minimum distribution eat that income a decade later.
#medicare #surcharges #retirees #magi
2 months ago
A large land-sale gain can push Medicare Part B premiums from $203 to $690 monthly, with the IRMAA impact arriving two years after closing.
Federal installment-sale rules let sellers spread gain recognition across multiple years, softening Medicare surcharges and Social Security tax exposure.
Taking the full lump sum eliminates buyer default risk, but installment sales may only reduce years spent at peak IRMAA tiers, not avoid them entirely.
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A retired man in his late sixties owns rural land that suddenly sits in the path of a data center developer. The offer runs into seven figures. He is ready to sell, but instead of taking every dollar at closing, he negotiates payments over several years.
#irmaa #gain
Federal installment-sale rules let sellers spread gain recognition across multiple years, softening Medicare surcharges and Social Security tax exposure.
Taking the full lump sum eliminates buyer default risk, but installment sales may only reduce years spent at peak IRMAA tiers, not avoid them entirely.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
A retired man in his late sixties owns rural land that suddenly sits in the path of a data center developer. The offer runs into seven figures. He is ready to sell, but instead of taking every dollar at closing, he negotiates payments over several years.
#irmaa #gain
2 months ago
Delaying the first RMD to April 1 stacks two distributions on one tax return, potentially bundling over $150,000 in income for a $2 million IRA.
Medicare sets 2028 premiums using 2026 income, so a bunched RMD year can trigger IRMAA surcharges costing a married couple nearly $5,770 extra annually.
Taking the first RMD by December 31 instead of April 1 keeps both distributions on separate returns and eliminates the income-stacking problem entirely.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
A retiree turned 73 in 2025 and used the option Congress left him. Instead of taking his first required minimum distribution (RMD) by December 31, he delayed it until April 1, 2026. The second RMD was still due December 31, 2026. Two withdrawals landed on one tax return, and Medicare does not care that the first one "belonged" to 2025. Both dollars became 2026 income. The April deadline bought three months. It did not buy another tax year.
#taking #instead
Medicare sets 2028 premiums using 2026 income, so a bunched RMD year can trigger IRMAA surcharges costing a married couple nearly $5,770 extra annually.
Taking the first RMD by December 31 instead of April 1 keeps both distributions on separate returns and eliminates the income-stacking problem entirely.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
A retiree turned 73 in 2025 and used the option Congress left him. Instead of taking his first required minimum distribution (RMD) by December 31, he delayed it until April 1, 2026. The second RMD was still due December 31, 2026. Two withdrawals landed on one tax return, and Medicare does not care that the first one "belonged" to 2025. Both dollars became 2026 income. The April deadline bought three months. It did not buy another tax year.
#taking #instead
2 months ago
Less-than-truckload carrier Old Dominion Freight Line saw yield growth accelerate in August, but tonnage remained slightly negative, according to a Thursday update.
The Thomasville, North Carolina-based company's daily revenue increased 12.4% year over year in August, an improvement from the 8.2% y/y growth rate logged in July. However, diesel fuel prices increased 46% y/y in August compared with a 31% y/y increase in July. (Fuel was up 10% sequentially in August.)
Less-than-truckload fuel surcharge programs include a step function as diesel prices rise, typically resulting in better margins.
Old Dominion's (NASDAQ: ODFL) yield growth accelerated from July, both with and without fuel surcharges. August revenue per hundredweight (yield) was likely 13% higher y/y with fuel surcharges, and roughly 5.5% higher excluding fuel. The July growth rates were 9.3% and 4.2%, respectively. (Growth rates for the two months combined were 11.3% and 4.8%, respectively.) Higher shipment weights were a modest drag on the yield metrics in both months.
"Old Dominion produced solid revenue growth for July and August, with underlying demand trends remaining relatively consistent as the quarter has progressed," said Marty Freeman, president and CEO, in a news release. "In addition, the strength and consistency of our industry-leading service continue to support the ongoing improvement in our LTL revenue per hundredweight."
#revenue #higher
The Thomasville, North Carolina-based company's daily revenue increased 12.4% year over year in August, an improvement from the 8.2% y/y growth rate logged in July. However, diesel fuel prices increased 46% y/y in August compared with a 31% y/y increase in July. (Fuel was up 10% sequentially in August.)
Less-than-truckload fuel surcharge programs include a step function as diesel prices rise, typically resulting in better margins.
Old Dominion's (NASDAQ: ODFL) yield growth accelerated from July, both with and without fuel surcharges. August revenue per hundredweight (yield) was likely 13% higher y/y with fuel surcharges, and roughly 5.5% higher excluding fuel. The July growth rates were 9.3% and 4.2%, respectively. (Growth rates for the two months combined were 11.3% and 4.8%, respectively.) Higher shipment weights were a modest drag on the yield metrics in both months.
"Old Dominion produced solid revenue growth for July and August, with underlying demand trends remaining relatively consistent as the quarter has progressed," said Marty Freeman, president and CEO, in a news release. "In addition, the strength and consistency of our industry-leading service continue to support the ongoing improvement in our LTL revenue per hundredweight."
#revenue #higher
2 months ago
On August 26, Movado Group (NYSE:MOV) reported second-quarter fiscal 2027 results that pushed adjusted earnings per share to $0.54 from $0.23 a year earlier, while net sales climbed 4.9% to $169.8 million. The jewelry and watch company also confirmed it will stop issuing annual financial guidance going forward, choosing instead to focus commentary on near-term trends. For a business built on Swiss craftsmanship and a stable of licensed fashion brands, the quarter marked a fifth straight period of positive momentum, and it came with a few surprises tucked inside the numbers.
Some of the headline strength came from a one-time source: $3.2 million in IEEPA duty refunds tied to tariffs paid between February 2025 and May 2026, which lifted GAAP gross margin to 59.4% from 54.1%. But strip that out and adjusted gross margin still rose 340 basis points to 57.5%, driven by favorable channel and product mix, strategic pricing, and less discounting. Growth was broad rather than concentrated in one line item. US net sales rose 4.9%, international sales rose 4.9% as well (4.1% in constant currency), and Latin America and India posted particularly strong results.
Movado.com sales jumped 8%, and Olivia Burton sales grew 23%, powered by small-shaped watches focused on the U.K. and US markets. The company also flagged a resurgence in traditional watch interest among younger buyers, pointing to the Baby Face mini strap watch, which sold out more than 400 units on movado.com in under a month. Looking ahead, Movado is expanding its Tapestry partnership to launch Kate Spade watches starting next fiscal year. The balance sheet backs up the momentum, with $211.6 million in cash, no debt, and $16.6 million already returned to shareholders through dividends this year.
Not every piece of this quarter travels into the second half. Management was explicit that the favorable mix of lower duty rate inventory that padded margins is temporary and is not expected to continue, and second-half gross margin guidance of 55% to 56% reflects that normalization. Sallie DeMarsilis also noted that gross margin gains were partially offset by higher shipping costs tied to fuel surcharges and rising e-commerce volume.
Geographically, the Middle East remains a soft spot, with Efraim Grinberg citing tourism-related headwinds in a region still affected by regional conflict. Operating expenses rose to $85.7 million from $80.6 million, largely on higher performance-based compensation and marketing spend. There is also a smaller but notable item: a $0.2 million pretax charge tied to a misconduct investigation within a Dubai-based Swiss subsidiary branch. And while Movado expects to recover another $6.8 million in IEEPA duties, it has chosen not to recognize that gain until the cash actually arrives, a reminder that not all of this quarter's tailwind is guaranteed to repeat.
#second
Some of the headline strength came from a one-time source: $3.2 million in IEEPA duty refunds tied to tariffs paid between February 2025 and May 2026, which lifted GAAP gross margin to 59.4% from 54.1%. But strip that out and adjusted gross margin still rose 340 basis points to 57.5%, driven by favorable channel and product mix, strategic pricing, and less discounting. Growth was broad rather than concentrated in one line item. US net sales rose 4.9%, international sales rose 4.9% as well (4.1% in constant currency), and Latin America and India posted particularly strong results.
Movado.com sales jumped 8%, and Olivia Burton sales grew 23%, powered by small-shaped watches focused on the U.K. and US markets. The company also flagged a resurgence in traditional watch interest among younger buyers, pointing to the Baby Face mini strap watch, which sold out more than 400 units on movado.com in under a month. Looking ahead, Movado is expanding its Tapestry partnership to launch Kate Spade watches starting next fiscal year. The balance sheet backs up the momentum, with $211.6 million in cash, no debt, and $16.6 million already returned to shareholders through dividends this year.
Not every piece of this quarter travels into the second half. Management was explicit that the favorable mix of lower duty rate inventory that padded margins is temporary and is not expected to continue, and second-half gross margin guidance of 55% to 56% reflects that normalization. Sallie DeMarsilis also noted that gross margin gains were partially offset by higher shipping costs tied to fuel surcharges and rising e-commerce volume.
Geographically, the Middle East remains a soft spot, with Efraim Grinberg citing tourism-related headwinds in a region still affected by regional conflict. Operating expenses rose to $85.7 million from $80.6 million, largely on higher performance-based compensation and marketing spend. There is also a smaller but notable item: a $0.2 million pretax charge tied to a misconduct investigation within a Dubai-based Swiss subsidiary branch. And while Movado expects to recover another $6.8 million in IEEPA duties, it has chosen not to recognize that gain until the cash actually arrives, a reminder that not all of this quarter's tailwind is guaranteed to repeat.
#second
2 months ago
On August 3, The Andersons Inc. (NASDAQ:ANDE) reported second-quarter results that dwarfed last year's numbers, with net income attributable to the company climbing to $57 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, from just $7.9 million, or $0.23 per share, a year earlier. Adjusted net income reached $74 million, or $2.15 per share, versus $8.4 million, or $0.24 per share, in the second quarter of 2025. The turnaround leaned almost entirely on one business: renewable fuels.
Renewables did the heavy lifting. The segment posted a record second-quarter pretax income of $65 million, with the adjusted figure reaching $88 million, on record plant output and strong merchandising execution. Andersons credited its low-carbon strategy for $24 million in 45Z producer tax credits during the quarter, plus the first-quarter finalization of the Renewable Volume Obligations, which firmed up commodity markets and opened trading opportunities for the merchandising desk. Gains in distillers corn oil and RIN pricing also helped. Segment adjusted EBITDA came in at $103 million, more than triple the $30 million posted a year earlier.
Agribusiness improved too, if more modestly, with pretax income of $20 million, both on a GAAP and adjusted basis, up from $17 million in the prior-year quarter. Fertilizer margins strengthened even as volumes fell, and merchandising benefited from higher commodity prices and early-quarter volatility. The company is pushing further into low-carbon fuels, preparing a debottlenecking project at its Clymers, Indiana ethanol plant and advancing a Class VI well permit to capture more 45Z value. A new soybean meal export operation at the Port of Houston is expected online in the fourth quarter. Operating cash flow of $488 million for the quarter, up from $299 million a year earlier, gave the company room to keep funding those projects while holding long-term debt to EBITDA below its 2.5-times target.
The numbers come with caveats. Cash and cash equivalents stood at just $66.5 million at the end of the second quarter, down from $351 million a year earlier, even as short-term debt climbed to $314 million from $104 million. Much of that swing traces to working capital timing and investment spending rather than distress, but it leaves less cushion than the company carried a year ago.
In Agribusiness, the fertilizer and merchandising gains were partly offset by fuel surcharges, a reminder that the segment's profitability still moves with input costs it does not control. Andersons also warned that a drier stretch across its western growing regions could weigh on grain-asset profits this fall, even though better conditions in the eastern corn belt cut the other way, and that grower economics could limit fertilizer purchasing heading into the fall application season.
#million #year #income #Share
Renewables did the heavy lifting. The segment posted a record second-quarter pretax income of $65 million, with the adjusted figure reaching $88 million, on record plant output and strong merchandising execution. Andersons credited its low-carbon strategy for $24 million in 45Z producer tax credits during the quarter, plus the first-quarter finalization of the Renewable Volume Obligations, which firmed up commodity markets and opened trading opportunities for the merchandising desk. Gains in distillers corn oil and RIN pricing also helped. Segment adjusted EBITDA came in at $103 million, more than triple the $30 million posted a year earlier.
Agribusiness improved too, if more modestly, with pretax income of $20 million, both on a GAAP and adjusted basis, up from $17 million in the prior-year quarter. Fertilizer margins strengthened even as volumes fell, and merchandising benefited from higher commodity prices and early-quarter volatility. The company is pushing further into low-carbon fuels, preparing a debottlenecking project at its Clymers, Indiana ethanol plant and advancing a Class VI well permit to capture more 45Z value. A new soybean meal export operation at the Port of Houston is expected online in the fourth quarter. Operating cash flow of $488 million for the quarter, up from $299 million a year earlier, gave the company room to keep funding those projects while holding long-term debt to EBITDA below its 2.5-times target.
The numbers come with caveats. Cash and cash equivalents stood at just $66.5 million at the end of the second quarter, down from $351 million a year earlier, even as short-term debt climbed to $314 million from $104 million. Much of that swing traces to working capital timing and investment spending rather than distress, but it leaves less cushion than the company carried a year ago.
In Agribusiness, the fertilizer and merchandising gains were partly offset by fuel surcharges, a reminder that the segment's profitability still moves with input costs it does not control. Andersons also warned that a drier stretch across its western growing regions could weigh on grain-asset profits this fall, even though better conditions in the eastern corn belt cut the other way, and that grower economics could limit fertilizer purchasing heading into the fall application season.
#million #year #income #Share
2 months ago
On August 25, Citi Trends (NASDAQ:CTRN) reported second-quarter results that pushed its comparable sales growth streak to eight consecutive quarters, and this time the momentum showed up on the bottom line. Total sales rose 10.9% to $211.6 million, comparable sales climbed 10.5%, and adjusted EBITDA swung from a $1.1 million loss a year ago to $5.5 million. That improvement helped push first-half EBITDA to $19.4 million, already ahead of everything the company generated in all of fiscal 2025. Management responded by raising its full-year outlook across nearly every metric that matters.
The eighth straight quarter of comparable sales growth stands out on its own, especially with the two-year stack running at 19.7%, but the more telling shift is what happened underneath it. Gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 40.6% on better merchandise margin and lower shrinkage, while adjusted SG&A leveraged 260 basis points as fixed costs spread across a bigger sales base. Store payroll leveraged 70 basis points, and distribution center costs fell 60 basis points year to date, evidencing that the efficiency gains are showing up across the operation rather than in one line item. That combination pushed adjusted EBITDA margin to 2.6% for the quarter, and management raised full-year sales guidance to 10% to 12% growth, comparable sales guidance to 9% to 11%, and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million to $42 million.
The balance sheet backs up the story. Citi Trends ended the quarter with $55.9 million in cash, no debt, and no draw on its $75 million credit facility, even as merchandise inventory grew a controlled 7.5% against double-digit comparable sales growth. The company is also leaning on a customer base broader than the discount label suggests: shoppers with household incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 make up 25% of customers but generate more than 40% of revenue. Management is funding growth accordingly, shifting capital toward its remodel program, now expected to cover 60 to 65 stores this year, up from 50, while building newer levers like the Insiders Club loyalty platform launched July 15 and AI tools for allocation and site selection. CEO Kenneth Seipel described the program as one that "turns traffic into loyalty, loyalty into frequency, and frequency into EBITDA."
Not everything in the print was clean. CFO Heather Plutino noted that rising fuel surcharges are pushing freight costs higher and said the pressure should continue for the rest of the year, a headwind that partially offset the gross margin gains. New store openings were also trimmed, with fiscal 2026 guidance cut to around 20 locations from a prior target of 25 due to timing, even as capital shifted toward remodels instead of new boxes.
#sales #million #comparable #quarter
The eighth straight quarter of comparable sales growth stands out on its own, especially with the two-year stack running at 19.7%, but the more telling shift is what happened underneath it. Gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 40.6% on better merchandise margin and lower shrinkage, while adjusted SG&A leveraged 260 basis points as fixed costs spread across a bigger sales base. Store payroll leveraged 70 basis points, and distribution center costs fell 60 basis points year to date, evidencing that the efficiency gains are showing up across the operation rather than in one line item. That combination pushed adjusted EBITDA margin to 2.6% for the quarter, and management raised full-year sales guidance to 10% to 12% growth, comparable sales guidance to 9% to 11%, and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million to $42 million.
The balance sheet backs up the story. Citi Trends ended the quarter with $55.9 million in cash, no debt, and no draw on its $75 million credit facility, even as merchandise inventory grew a controlled 7.5% against double-digit comparable sales growth. The company is also leaning on a customer base broader than the discount label suggests: shoppers with household incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 make up 25% of customers but generate more than 40% of revenue. Management is funding growth accordingly, shifting capital toward its remodel program, now expected to cover 60 to 65 stores this year, up from 50, while building newer levers like the Insiders Club loyalty platform launched July 15 and AI tools for allocation and site selection. CEO Kenneth Seipel described the program as one that "turns traffic into loyalty, loyalty into frequency, and frequency into EBITDA."
Not everything in the print was clean. CFO Heather Plutino noted that rising fuel surcharges are pushing freight costs higher and said the pressure should continue for the rest of the year, a headwind that partially offset the gross margin gains. New store openings were also trimmed, with fiscal 2026 guidance cut to around 20 locations from a prior target of 25 due to timing, even as capital shifted toward remodels instead of new boxes.
#sales #million #comparable #quarter
2 months ago
MD Sass, a boutique ****** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX). Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) is a freight transportation services provider that operates through Truckload, Less-than-truckload (LTL), Logistics, and Intermodal segments. On August 28, 2026, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) closed at $67.24 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $10.94 billion. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) posted a one‑month return of ‑1.04%, while its shares gained 54.24% over the past 52 weeks.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) operates the largest full-truckload fleet in North America and operates approximately 21,000 tractors across its irregular route and dedicated fleets. Excluding fuel surcharges and intersegment transactions, Truckload represents approximately 63% of revenue, less-than-truckload represents 19%, logistics 8%, and intermodal 5%.
Trucking is a cyclical, fragmented, and historically low-margin business, and for those reasons we have avoided it. So why own it now? We believe the industry is entering a rate cycle that is meaningfully different from the demand-driven cycles of the past. This cycle is being manufactured on the supply side through a combination of economic attrition, regulatory enforcement, and increased legal liability. Importantly
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX). Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) is a freight transportation services provider that operates through Truckload, Less-than-truckload (LTL), Logistics, and Intermodal segments. On August 28, 2026, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) closed at $67.24 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $10.94 billion. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) posted a one‑month return of ‑1.04%, while its shares gained 54.24% over the past 52 weeks.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) operates the largest full-truckload fleet in North America and operates approximately 21,000 tractors across its irregular route and dedicated fleets. Excluding fuel surcharges and intersegment transactions, Truckload represents approximately 63% of revenue, less-than-truckload represents 19%, logistics 8%, and intermodal 5%.
Trucking is a cyclical, fragmented, and historically low-margin business, and for those reasons we have avoided it. So why own it now? We believe the industry is entering a rate cycle that is meaningfully different from the demand-driven cycles of the past. This cycle is being manufactured on the supply side through a combination of economic attrition, regulatory enforcement, and increased legal liability. Importantly
2 months ago
On August 25, Citi Trends (NASDAQ:CTRN) reported second-quarter results that pushed its comparable sales growth streak to eight consecutive quarters, and this time the momentum showed up on the bottom line. Total sales rose 10.9% to $211.6 million, comparable sales climbed 10.5%, and adjusted EBITDA swung from a $1.1 million loss a year ago to $5.5 million. That improvement helped push first-half EBITDA to $19.4 million, already ahead of everything the company generated in all of fiscal 2025. Management responded by raising its full-year outlook across nearly every metric that matters.
The eighth straight quarter of comparable sales growth stands out on its own, especially with the two-year stack running at 19.7%, but the more telling shift is what happened underneath it. Gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 40.6% on better merchandise margin and lower shrinkage, while adjusted SG&A leveraged 260 basis points as fixed costs spread across a bigger sales base. Store payroll leveraged 70 basis points, and distribution center costs fell 60 basis points year to date, evidencing that the efficiency gains are showing up across the operation rather than in one line item. That combination pushed adjusted EBITDA margin to 2.6% for the quarter, and management raised full-year sales guidance to 10% to 12% growth, comparable sales guidance to 9% to 11%, and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million to $42 million.
The balance sheet backs up the story. Citi Trends ended the quarter with $55.9 million in cash, no debt, and no draw on its $75 million credit facility, even as merchandise inventory grew a controlled 7.5% against double-digit comparable sales growth. The company is also leaning on a customer base broader than the discount label suggests: shoppers with household incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 make up 25% of customers but generate more than 40% of revenue. Management is funding growth accordingly, shifting capital toward its remodel program, now expected to cover 60 to 65 stores this year, up from 50, while building newer levers like the Insiders Club loyalty platform launched July 15 and AI tools for allocation and site selection. CEO Kenneth Seipel described the program as one that "turns traffic into loyalty, loyalty into frequency, and frequency into EBITDA."
Not everything in the print was clean. CFO Heather Plutino noted that rising fuel surcharges are pushing freight costs higher and said the pressure should continue for the rest of the year, a headwind that partially offset the gross margin gains. New store openings were also trimmed, with fiscal 2026 guidance cut to around 20 locations from a prior target of 25 due to timing, even as capital shifted toward remodels instead of new boxes.
#year #ebitda #quarter #Margin
The eighth straight quarter of comparable sales growth stands out on its own, especially with the two-year stack running at 19.7%, but the more telling shift is what happened underneath it. Gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 40.6% on better merchandise margin and lower shrinkage, while adjusted SG&A leveraged 260 basis points as fixed costs spread across a bigger sales base. Store payroll leveraged 70 basis points, and distribution center costs fell 60 basis points year to date, evidencing that the efficiency gains are showing up across the operation rather than in one line item. That combination pushed adjusted EBITDA margin to 2.6% for the quarter, and management raised full-year sales guidance to 10% to 12% growth, comparable sales guidance to 9% to 11%, and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million to $42 million.
The balance sheet backs up the story. Citi Trends ended the quarter with $55.9 million in cash, no debt, and no draw on its $75 million credit facility, even as merchandise inventory grew a controlled 7.5% against double-digit comparable sales growth. The company is also leaning on a customer base broader than the discount label suggests: shoppers with household incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 make up 25% of customers but generate more than 40% of revenue. Management is funding growth accordingly, shifting capital toward its remodel program, now expected to cover 60 to 65 stores this year, up from 50, while building newer levers like the Insiders Club loyalty platform launched July 15 and AI tools for allocation and site selection. CEO Kenneth Seipel described the program as one that "turns traffic into loyalty, loyalty into frequency, and frequency into EBITDA."
Not everything in the print was clean. CFO Heather Plutino noted that rising fuel surcharges are pushing freight costs higher and said the pressure should continue for the rest of the year, a headwind that partially offset the gross margin gains. New store openings were also trimmed, with fiscal 2026 guidance cut to around 20 locations from a prior target of 25 due to timing, even as capital shifted toward remodels instead of new boxes.
#year #ebitda #quarter #Margin
2 months ago
Nursing home bills can wipe out the tax on a Roth conversion when both occur in the same year, because deductible medical costs above 7.5% of AGI offset conversion income.
The strategy requires itemizing deductions and works only when the IRA owner and the patient are the same person, a spouse, or a qualifying dependent.
Each converted dollar raises AGI, lifting the 7.5% deduction floor, and a larger MAGI can trigger IRMAA Medicare surcharges two years later.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
If you have a traditional IRA and someone in your household faces catastrophic nursing home bills, a tax interaction exists. A Roth conversion executed in the same year as enormous deductible medical costs can move IRA dollars into a Roth at a fraction of their normal tax cost, because the medical expense itemized deduction absorbs the taxable income the conversion generates. The strategy pairs two ordinary tools most people use separately, and the window closes at year-end.
#deductible
The strategy requires itemizing deductions and works only when the IRA owner and the patient are the same person, a spouse, or a qualifying dependent.
Each converted dollar raises AGI, lifting the 7.5% deduction floor, and a larger MAGI can trigger IRMAA Medicare surcharges two years later.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
If you have a traditional IRA and someone in your household faces catastrophic nursing home bills, a tax interaction exists. A Roth conversion executed in the same year as enormous deductible medical costs can move IRA dollars into a Roth at a fraction of their normal tax cost, because the medical expense itemized deduction absorbs the taxable income the conversion generates. The strategy pairs two ordinary tools most people use separately, and the window closes at year-end.
#deductible
2 months ago
Our **** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Achieved eighth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth, driven by a balanced increase in both transaction counts and basket size.
Refined 'good, better, best' pricing tiers to capture a broad demographic, noting that 25% of customers earn between $75,000 and $150,000 and generate 40% of revenue.
Leveraged AI-driven allocation systems and enterprise data tools to improve inventory productivity and merchandising efficiency.
Improved selling margins and reduced shrinkage through store-level technology investments, successfully offsetting increased transportation fuel surcharges.
#leveraged
Achieved eighth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth, driven by a balanced increase in both transaction counts and basket size.
Refined 'good, better, best' pricing tiers to capture a broad demographic, noting that 25% of customers earn between $75,000 and $150,000 and generate 40% of revenue.
Leveraged AI-driven allocation systems and enterprise data tools to improve inventory productivity and merchandising efficiency.
Improved selling margins and reduced shrinkage through store-level technology investments, successfully offsetting increased transportation fuel surcharges.
#leveraged
2 months ago
St. George retirement at 65 demands a $525,000 paid-off home plus $450,000 in invested ******* ets, ******* uming a 4% withdrawal rate and full Social Security.
Retiring at 62 instead of 67 shrinks Social Security by 30% and tightens the safe withdrawal rate, pushing the required liquid portfolio to $1.1 million.
Utah's flat tax on all retirement income can combine with Medicare IRMAA surcharges to push large Roth conversions toward a 40% effective marginal rate.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
St. George, Utah, keeps surfacing whenever readers who are planning to retire in five or ten years ask about fast-growing retirement destinations outside Florida and Arizona. Tucked into the red rock country of the state's southwest corner, it has mild winters, nearby national parks, and has climbed the fastest-growing metro rankings for years while drawing a large share of retirees. What follows walks through the actual cost picture in current dollars, the portfolio target that budget implies, and the tax mechanic most buyers overlook until they file that first return.
#rate #Portfolio
Retiring at 62 instead of 67 shrinks Social Security by 30% and tightens the safe withdrawal rate, pushing the required liquid portfolio to $1.1 million.
Utah's flat tax on all retirement income can combine with Medicare IRMAA surcharges to push large Roth conversions toward a 40% effective marginal rate.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
St. George, Utah, keeps surfacing whenever readers who are planning to retire in five or ten years ask about fast-growing retirement destinations outside Florida and Arizona. Tucked into the red rock country of the state's southwest corner, it has mild winters, nearby national parks, and has climbed the fastest-growing metro rankings for years while drawing a large share of retirees. What follows walks through the actual cost picture in current dollars, the portfolio target that budget implies, and the tax mechanic most buyers overlook until they file that first return.
#rate #Portfolio
2 months ago
Discover how intermodal freight is delivering massive savings in today's volatile market. As truckload spot and contract rates stabilize, intermodal options provide a crucial cost-saving advantage, especially on key lanes. Learn where to find the biggest savings and how shifting modes can optimize your freight spend.
Intermodal savings have surged to their highest level in several years, driven by a widening gap between rising truckload rates and relatively flat intermodal pricing, according to FreightWaves SONAR data presented by Julie Van de Kamp during a live update from the College Football Hall of Fame.
On the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Atlanta lane — one of the top savings lanes in SONAR's intermodal dashboard — van spot truckload rates are up approximately 42%, van contract rates are up about 26%, and intermodal rates have risen only 16%, making a compelling case for mode conversion. East Coast corridors, particularly those out of Atlanta and Harrisburg, are leading the savings rankings, with lanes including Atlanta to Chicago, Atlanta to Joliet, Atlanta to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Harrisburg to both Ontario, California, and Los Angeles all trending upward in the savings index over the most recent three months.
"That is such a good reason to consider mode conversion, take advantage of those savings, and understand where that helps even in a backhaul lane like what would typically be PA to Chicago at a length of haul that's not transcon," said Julie Van de Kamp.
The broader market context reinforces the intermodal value proposition. Tender rejections saw a significant drop from July 20 to August 5 but are now stabilizing, and spot rates, while down from earlier peaks year to date, are also leveling off. Meanwhile, contract truckload rates continue to rise, narrowing the gap between spot and contract. Van de Kamp noted a roughly 66-cent-per-mile spread between spot rates on the NTI and contract rates on the VCRPM1, though she cautioned that spot rates are all-in while contract rates are linehaul only — with fuel surcharges running approximately $0.70 per mile based on a Department of Energy estimate of around $45.
#spot #kamp
Intermodal savings have surged to their highest level in several years, driven by a widening gap between rising truckload rates and relatively flat intermodal pricing, according to FreightWaves SONAR data presented by Julie Van de Kamp during a live update from the College Football Hall of Fame.
On the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Atlanta lane — one of the top savings lanes in SONAR's intermodal dashboard — van spot truckload rates are up approximately 42%, van contract rates are up about 26%, and intermodal rates have risen only 16%, making a compelling case for mode conversion. East Coast corridors, particularly those out of Atlanta and Harrisburg, are leading the savings rankings, with lanes including Atlanta to Chicago, Atlanta to Joliet, Atlanta to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Harrisburg to both Ontario, California, and Los Angeles all trending upward in the savings index over the most recent three months.
"That is such a good reason to consider mode conversion, take advantage of those savings, and understand where that helps even in a backhaul lane like what would typically be PA to Chicago at a length of haul that's not transcon," said Julie Van de Kamp.
The broader market context reinforces the intermodal value proposition. Tender rejections saw a significant drop from July 20 to August 5 but are now stabilizing, and spot rates, while down from earlier peaks year to date, are also leveling off. Meanwhile, contract truckload rates continue to rise, narrowing the gap between spot and contract. Van de Kamp noted a roughly 66-cent-per-mile spread between spot rates on the NTI and contract rates on the VCRPM1, though she cautioned that spot rates are all-in while contract rates are linehaul only — with fuel surcharges running approximately $0.70 per mile based on a Department of Energy estimate of around $45.
#spot #kamp
2 months ago
Social Security's earnings test ignores 401(k) withdrawals entirely, counting only wages and net self-employment income against the 2026 limit of $24,480.
A $70,000 traditional 401(k) withdrawal enters IRS provisional income calculations, potentially making up to 85% of Social Security benefits taxable at ordinary rates.
Large 401(k) distributions can trigger IRMAA Medicare premium surcharges with a two-year delay, so a 2026 withdrawal may raise 2028 Part B and Part D costs.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
Picture a 63-year-old who left his full-time shop job last year, started drawing Social Security early, and now picks up welding and small fabrication work from his garage. In a single year, he withdraws $70,000 from a traditional 401(k) to cover the mortgage and buy a truck. After business expenses, his welding work produces $10,000 in net self-employment earnings. He ***** umes the government sees $80,000 in income. Social Security does not. Its retirement earnings test looks only at the $10,000.
#security #year #income #part
A $70,000 traditional 401(k) withdrawal enters IRS provisional income calculations, potentially making up to 85% of Social Security benefits taxable at ordinary rates.
Large 401(k) distributions can trigger IRMAA Medicare premium surcharges with a two-year delay, so a 2026 withdrawal may raise 2028 Part B and Part D costs.
Many financial professionals are salespeople paid on what they push, not whether you end up wealthier. A fiduciary is the opposite. The SEC legally requires them to put your interests first. Advisor.com's free matching tool pairs you with vetted fiduciaries from major national firms, all in under three minutes. See who you match with today.
Picture a 63-year-old who left his full-time shop job last year, started drawing Social Security early, and now picks up welding and small fabrication work from his garage. In a single year, he withdraws $70,000 from a traditional 401(k) to cover the mortgage and buy a truck. After business expenses, his welding work produces $10,000 in net self-employment earnings. He ***** umes the government sees $80,000 in income. Social Security does not. Its retirement earnings test looks only at the $10,000.
#security #year #income #part
3 months ago
The HSA is the only account delivering all three tax advantages: deductible contributions (including FICA savings), tax-free growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals.
Invest HSA funds in equity index funds, pay current medical bills from cash, and save receipts to reimburse yourself tax-free decades later.
After 65, HSA medical withdrawals don't count toward MAGI, helping retirees dodge IRMAA surcharges that add hundreds per month to Medicare premiums.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
Walk into any physician lounge and you'll hear the same advice from the partners closing in on 60: fund the match in your 401(k), then send the next dollar to your Health Savings Account before you finish the deferral. The HSA is the only account in the federal code that escapes tax three separate times, and the people who do tax math for a living treat it accordingly.
#free #don 't #only #three
Invest HSA funds in equity index funds, pay current medical bills from cash, and save receipts to reimburse yourself tax-free decades later.
After 65, HSA medical withdrawals don't count toward MAGI, helping retirees dodge IRMAA surcharges that add hundreds per month to Medicare premiums.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
Walk into any physician lounge and you'll hear the same advice from the partners closing in on 60: fund the match in your 401(k), then send the next dollar to your Health Savings Account before you finish the deferral. The HSA is the only account in the federal code that escapes tax three separate times, and the people who do tax math for a living treat it accordingly.
#free #don 't #only #three
3 months ago
The Trump administration's Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed loosening a 2011 Obama-era rule that requires airlines and travel sites to show the total price travelers actually pay.
The current "full fare advertising rule," which centers on consumer protection, requires both U.S. and foreign air carriers and ticket agents that advertise airfares to "state the entire price to be paid by the customer, inclusive of all mandatory taxes and fees," (including both government and carrier surcharges) at the first mention. The rule also prohibits any sellers of air transportation from "displaying in airfare advertisements charges that are included within the airfare more prominently or in the same or larger font size than the total single price."
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here's where their money is actually going
#requires #airfare #wealth #department
The current "full fare advertising rule," which centers on consumer protection, requires both U.S. and foreign air carriers and ticket agents that advertise airfares to "state the entire price to be paid by the customer, inclusive of all mandatory taxes and fees," (including both government and carrier surcharges) at the first mention. The rule also prohibits any sellers of air transportation from "displaying in airfare advertisements charges that are included within the airfare more prominently or in the same or larger font size than the total single price."
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here's where their money is actually going
#requires #airfare #wealth #department
3 months ago
Medicare's two-year lookback means a 2026 distribution sets 2028 premiums, costing married couples up to $1,783 yearly once MAGI exceeds $137,000.
Crossing $109,000 MAGI can make 85% of Social Security taxable, stacking costs that push the effective marginal rate on 401(k) withdrawals toward 40%.
Retirees can limit surcharges by modeling MAGI below thresholds, using QCDs up to $111,000 from an IRA, or filing Form SSA-44 after life-changing events.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
A 66-year-old retiree with $1.4 million in a traditional 401(k) pulls $60,000 in 2026 to renovate a kitchen. Combined with $28,000 in Social Security and a modest pension, modified adjusted gross income lands at $112,000. Nothing dramatic happens on the 1040. In January 2028, the Medicare bill jumps.
#security #year
Crossing $109,000 MAGI can make 85% of Social Security taxable, stacking costs that push the effective marginal rate on 401(k) withdrawals toward 40%.
Retirees can limit surcharges by modeling MAGI below thresholds, using QCDs up to $111,000 from an IRA, or filing Form SSA-44 after life-changing events.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
A 66-year-old retiree with $1.4 million in a traditional 401(k) pulls $60,000 in 2026 to renovate a kitchen. Combined with $28,000 in Social Security and a modest pension, modified adjusted gross income lands at $112,000. Nothing dramatic happens on the 1040. In January 2028, the Medicare bill jumps.
#security #year
3 months ago
United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares surged in premarket trading on July 28 after the package-delivery company reported a second-quarter beat and raised its 2026 outlook. Revenue reached $22.83 billion, above the $21.81 billion consensus estimate, while adjusted earnings of $1.76 per share exceeded the $1.66 estimate. UPS now expects full-year revenue of approximately $91.2 billion, up from $89.7 billion, and adjusted earnings of approximately $7.22 per share.
The more important development was operational. Eighteen months after announcing an accelerated reduction in lower-margin Amazon volume, UPS said it had completed the planned "glide down" and the related phase of its network reconfiguration. That did not end the Amazon relationship: Amazon had accounted for more than 13% of UPS revenue at its peak, but its contribution had fallen to 8.8% by the end of the first quarter.
That strategy was always supposed to make UPS smaller before making it more profitable. The second quarter offered the clearest evidence yet that the second part may finally be starting. U.S. Domestic average daily package volume fell 3.3%, but revenue rose 6% as revenue per piece increased 9.3%. Adjusted domestic operating profit increased 21%, lifting the segment's adjusted margin to 8% from roughly 7% a year earlier.
Still, the margin remains well below the International segment's 12.4%, and fuel surcharges contributed to the stronger revenue-per-piece result. The core tension is whether UPS has created a durably more profitable domestic network, or whether fuel surcharges and temporary restructuring effects made one quarter look better than the underlying cost structure.
The bull case is that UPS has begun to prove the logic behind sacrificing Amazon volume: fewer packages can produce more revenue and profit when the packages that remain carry better yields.
#revenue #Margin
The more important development was operational. Eighteen months after announcing an accelerated reduction in lower-margin Amazon volume, UPS said it had completed the planned "glide down" and the related phase of its network reconfiguration. That did not end the Amazon relationship: Amazon had accounted for more than 13% of UPS revenue at its peak, but its contribution had fallen to 8.8% by the end of the first quarter.
That strategy was always supposed to make UPS smaller before making it more profitable. The second quarter offered the clearest evidence yet that the second part may finally be starting. U.S. Domestic average daily package volume fell 3.3%, but revenue rose 6% as revenue per piece increased 9.3%. Adjusted domestic operating profit increased 21%, lifting the segment's adjusted margin to 8% from roughly 7% a year earlier.
Still, the margin remains well below the International segment's 12.4%, and fuel surcharges contributed to the stronger revenue-per-piece result. The core tension is whether UPS has created a durably more profitable domestic network, or whether fuel surcharges and temporary restructuring effects made one quarter look better than the underlying cost structure.
The bull case is that UPS has begun to prove the logic behind sacrificing Amazon volume: fewer packages can produce more revenue and profit when the packages that remain carry better yields.
#revenue #Margin
3 months ago
Medicare's two-year lookback treats a one-time home sale gain as recurring income, spiking Part B premiums for retirees who enroll at 65.
A single filer with MAGI above $500,000 pays $689.90 monthly for Part B alone, up from the standard $203, plus extra Part D surcharges.
The IRMAA surcharge is temporary, but timing the home sale outside the two-year Medicare lookback window can prevent it entirely.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
The scenario is common enough that Medicare planners have a name for it: the IRMAA cliff. A homeowner sells her longtime residence at 63, walks away with a large capital gain, and files a tax return that looks nothing like her usual retirement income. Two years later, when she enrolls in Medicare at 65, the Social Security Administration reaches back to that inflated return and prices her Part B and Part D premiums as if she earns that much every year. In reality, the gain was a one-time event, while the surcharge lingers.
#gain #irmaa #time #sale
A single filer with MAGI above $500,000 pays $689.90 monthly for Part B alone, up from the standard $203, plus extra Part D surcharges.
The IRMAA surcharge is temporary, but timing the home sale outside the two-year Medicare lookback window can prevent it entirely.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
The scenario is common enough that Medicare planners have a name for it: the IRMAA cliff. A homeowner sells her longtime residence at 63, walks away with a large capital gain, and files a tax return that looks nothing like her usual retirement income. Two years later, when she enrolls in Medicare at 65, the Social Security Administration reaches back to that inflated return and prices her Part B and Part D premiums as if she earns that much every year. In reality, the gain was a one-time event, while the surcharge lingers.
#gain #irmaa #time #sale
3 months ago
Medicare uses a two-year lookback, so income recorded on your 2026 tax return will determine your 2028 Part B and Part D surcharges.
Joint filers crossing the first IRMAA threshold by just $1 face roughly $2,300 in annual surcharges, with the top tier costing nearly $13,900.
Sizing Roth conversions carefully, using QCDs after age 70½, and harvesting capital losses can all reduce 2026 MAGI before December 31 cuts off your options.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
A couple in their late sixties opened a January Medicare statement and watched their combined Part B premiums double. Nothing in their 2026 budget explained it. The trigger was a Roth conversion they completed in December 2024, back when a market dip made the move look cheap. Medicare calls this a two-year lookback because 2026 premiums generally use 2024 tax information. On the actual calendar, barely 13 months separated the conversion from the first higher premium.
#december #carefully
Joint filers crossing the first IRMAA threshold by just $1 face roughly $2,300 in annual surcharges, with the top tier costing nearly $13,900.
Sizing Roth conversions carefully, using QCDs after age 70½, and harvesting capital losses can all reduce 2026 MAGI before December 31 cuts off your options.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
A couple in their late sixties opened a January Medicare statement and watched their combined Part B premiums double. Nothing in their 2026 budget explained it. The trigger was a Roth conversion they completed in December 2024, back when a market dip made the move look cheap. Medicare calls this a two-year lookback because 2026 premiums generally use 2024 tax information. On the actual calendar, barely 13 months separated the conversion from the first higher premium.
#december #carefully
