The Federal Reserve cut its target rate three times in 2024. So deposit rates — including money market account (MMA) rates — have started falling. It’s more important than ever to compare MMA rates and ensure you earn as much as possible on your balance.

The national average money market account rate stands at 0.66%, according to the FDIC.

Even so, some of the top accounts are currently offering upwards of 5% APY. Since these rates may not be around much longer, consider opening a money market account now to take advantage of today’s high rates.

Here’s a look at some of the top MMA rates available today:

See our picks for the 10 best money market accounts available today>>

Additionally, the table below features some of the best savings and money market account rates available today from our verified partners.

The amount of interest you can earn from a money market account depends on the annual percentage rate (APY). This is a measure of your total earnings after one year when considering the base interest rate and how often interest compounds (money market account interest typically compounds daily).

Say you put $1,000 in an MMA at the average interest rate of 0.66% with daily compounding. At the end of one year, your balance would grow to $1,006.62 — your initial $1,000 deposit, plus just $6.62 in interest.

Now let’s say you choose a high-yield money market account that offers 5% APY instead. In this case, your balance would grow to $1,051.27 over the same period, which includes $51.27 in interest.

The more you deposit in a money market account, the more you stand to earn. If we took our same example of a money market account at 5% APY, but deposit $10,000, your total balance after one year would be $10,512.67, meaning you’d earn $512.67 in interest. ​​

The Federal Reserve cut its target rate three times in late 2024, which means savings interest rates are falling from their historic highs. It’s important to be sure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a savings account. The following is a breakdown of savings interest rates today and where to find the best offers.

The national average savings account rate stands at 0.42%, according to the FDIC. This might not seem like much, but consider that three years ago, it was just 0.06%, reflecting a sharp rise in a short period of time.

Today, the highest savings account rate available from our partners is 4.75% APY. This rate is offered by Openbank and there is a $500 minimum opening deposit.

Since these rates may not be around much longer, consider opening a high-yield savings account now to take advantage of today’s high rates.

Here is a look at some of the best savings rates available today from our verified partners:

Related: 10 best high-yield savings accounts today>>

The amount of interest you can earn from a savings account depends on the annual percentage rate (APY). This is a measure of your total earnings after one year when considering the base interest rate and how often interest compounds (savings account interest typically compounds daily).

Say you put $1,000 in a savings account at the average interest rate of 0.42% with daily compounding. At the end of one year, your balance would grow to $1,004.21 — your initial $1,000 deposit, plus just $4.21 in interest.

Now let’s say you choose a high-yield savings account that offers 4% APY instead. In this case, your balance would grow to $1,040.81 over the same period, which includes $40.81 in interest.

The more you deposit in a savings account, the more you stand to earn. If we took our same example of a high-yield savings account at 4% APY, but deposit $10,000, your total balance after one year would be $10,408.08, meaning you’d earn $408.08 in interest. ​​

Read more: What is a good savings account rate?

Mortgage rates are still high overall, but they’ve decreased for several consecutive days. According to Zillow, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dropped by five basis points to 6.67%, and the 15-year fixed rate is down four basis points to 5.95%.

So, what do you do when rates are improving but still relatively high? Especially since rates probably won’t nosedive in the near future. If you’re otherwise financially ready to buy a house, you shop for the best mortgage lender — one that has the type of mortgage you need, reasonable rates, and low lender fees.

Dig deeper: 5 strategies for getting the lowest mortgage rate

Have questions about buying, owning, or selling a house? Submit your question to Yahoo’s panel of Realtors using this Google form.

Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data:

• 30-year fixed: 6.67%

• 20-year fixed: 6.45%

• 15-year fixed: 5.95%

• 5/1 ARM: 6.94%

• 7/1 ARM: 6.91%

• 30-year VA: 6.12%

• 15-year VA: 5.56%

• 5/1 VA: 6.16%

• 30-year FHA: 6.33%

• 5/1 FHA: 6.38%

Remember, these are the national averages and rounded to the nearest hundredth.

These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, according to the latest Zillow data:

• 30-year fixed: 6.67%

• 20-year fixed: 6.46%

• 15-year fixed: 5.92%

• 5/1 ARM: 7.24%

• 7/1 ARM: 7.45%

• 30-year VA: 6.10%

• 15-year VA: 5.72%

• 5/1 VA: 6.04%

• 5/1 FHA: 6.50%

Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case.

Read more: Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage?

Use the free Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator to see how various mortgage terms and interest rates will impact your monthly payments.

Our calculator also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest.

The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.67%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading out your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter-term loan.

The average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.95% today. When deciding between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals.

A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year term. This is great in the long run because you’ll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that’s 15 fewer years for interest to accumulate. But the trade-off is that your monthly payment will be higher as you pay off the same amount in half the time.

Let’s say you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a 6.67% rate, your monthly payment toward the principal and interest would be about $1,930, and you’d pay $394,752 in interest over the life of your loan — on top of that original $300,000.

If you get that same $300,000 mortgage but with a 15-year term and a 5.95% rate, your monthly payment would jump up to $2,523. But you’d only pay $154,225 in interest over the years.

With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in for the entire life of your loan. You will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage, though.

An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined period of time. Then, the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remaining 23 years of your term.

Adjustable rates typically start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock period ends, it’s possible your rate will go up. Lately, though, some fixed rates have been starting lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about its rates before choosing one or the other.

Dig deeper: Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages

Mortgage lenders typically give the lowest mortgage rates to people with higher down payments, great or excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So, if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying down some debt before you start shopping for homes.

Waiting for rates to drop probably isn’t the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now unless you are truly in no rush and don’t mind waiting until late 2025. If you’re ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to lower your rate.

To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage preapproval with three or four companies. Just be sure to apply to all of them within a short time frame — doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score.

When choosing a lender, don’t just compare interest rates. Look at the mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders.

Learn more: Best mortgage lenders for first-time home buyers

According to Zillow, the national average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.67%, and the average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.95%. But these are national averages, so the average in your area could be different. Averages are typically higher in expensive parts of the U.S. and lower in less expensive areas.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.67% right now, according to Zillow. However, you might get an even better rate with an excellent credit score, sizable down payment, and low debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Mortgage rates aren’t expected to drop drastically in the near future, though they may inch down here and there.

Today’s certificate of deposit (CD) interest rates are some of the highest we’ve seen in more than a decade thanks to several rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. However, the Fed finally cut its target rate in September, so now could be your last chance to lock in a competitive rate.

CD rates vary widely across financial institutions, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a CD. The following is a breakdown of CD rates today and where to find the best offers.

Historically, longer-term CDs offered higher interest rates than shorter-term CDs. Generally, this is because banks would pay better rates to encourage savers to keep their money on deposit longer. However, in today’s economic climate, the opposite is true.

See our picks for the best CD accounts available today>>

Today, the highest CD rate 4.27% APY, which is offered by NexBank on its 1-year CD term. However, there is a large minimum opening deposit of $25,000.

The next-highest rate is 4.25% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs on its 1-year CD. A minimum deposit of $500 is required.

Here is a look at some of the best CD rates available today from our verified partners:

The amount of interest you can earn from a CD depends on the annual percentage rate (APY). This is a measure of your total earnings after one year when considering the base interest rate and how often interest compounds (CD interest typically compounds daily or monthly).

Say you invest $1,000 in a one-year CD with 1.81% APY, and interest compounds monthly. At the end of that year, your balance would grow to $1,018.25 — your initial $1,000 deposit, plus $18.25 in interest.

Now let’s say you choose a one-year CD that offers 4% APY instead. In this case, your balance would grow to $1,040.74 over the same period, which includes $40.74 in interest.

The more you deposit in a CD, the more you stand to earn. If we took our same example of a one-year CD at 4% APY, but deposit $10,000, your total balance when the CD matures would be $10,407.42, meaning you’d earn $407.42 in interest. ​​

Read more: What is a good CD rate?

When choosing a CD, the interest rate is usually top of mind. However, the rate isn’t the only factor you should consider. There are several types of CDs that offer different benefits, though you may need to accept a slightly lower interest rate in exchange for more flexibility. Here’s a look at some of the common types of CDs you can consider beyond traditional CDs:

• Bump-up CD: This type of CD allows you to request a higher interest rate if your bank’s rates go up during the account’s term. However, you’re usually allowed to “bump up” your rate just once.

• No-penalty CD: Also known as a liquid CD, type of CD gives you the option to withdraw your funds before maturity without paying a penalty.

• Jumbo CD: These CDs require a higher minimum deposit (usually $100,000 or more), and often offer higher interest rate in return. In today’s CD rate environment, however, the difference between traditional and jumbo CD rates may not be much.

• Brokered CD: As the name suggests, these CDs are purchased through a brokerage rather than directly from a bank. Brokered CDs can sometimes offer higher rates or more flexible terms, but they also carry more risk and might not be FDIC-insured.

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A lot is going right for Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) right now. The company has been gaining share in the PC CPU market, its server CPUs have been selling well, and its AI accelerators have quickly turned into a multibillion-dollar business.

The gaming business is another story. AMD’s gaming revenue crashed 69% year over year in the third quarter of 2024 to just $462 million. For comparison, the data center segment produced $3.5 billion in revenue during the same quarter.

There are two issues at play. First, AMD supplies semi-custom chips for the major game consoles. The current generation of game consoles are now in the latter part of their life cycles, so it makes sense that demand is slumping.

This source of revenue should bounce back sometime in the next few years, depending on when Sony and Microsoft launch new consoles. The next-generation consoles will likely be powered by AMD chips.

Second, AMD remains in a distant second place behind Nvidia in the gaming GPU market. While AMD doesn’t break out gaming GPU revenue, the company disclosed in its earnings call that gaming GPU sales were down year over year in the third quarter. The company partially blamed the upcoming launch of its next-generation graphics cards as a reason for the decline, but Nvidia managed to grow gaming revenue during its most recent quarter despite also prepping new products.

AMD’s new Radeon RX 9000 series graphics cards could help boost gaming revenue when they launch sometime in the first quarter, but the company will be up against brand-new RTX 50 series graphics cards from Nvidia. Nvidia’s new cards bring some fancy AI-powered tech, and there’s little reason to believe AMD’s competitive position will meaningfully improve in the pricier portions of the market that Nvidia tends to dominate.

AMD has historically been far more competitive in the lower-end portion of the market, where prices stay below $300. AMD’s RX 7600 card is the company’s most recent budget option, although older-generation graphics cards like the RX 6600 remain widely available. Nvidia has been largely ignoring this part of the market — even the four-year-old RTX 3060 still sells for around $300.

As AMD battles Nvidia in the high end of the market, a surprising comeback from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) will provide stiff competition in the low end. Intel entered the graphics card market in late 2022 with its Arc Alchemist cards, but software issues derailed the effort. The company didn’t give up, and its second-generation Battlemage cards are far more potent.

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If you like dividend stocks and can handle a little risk in your portfolio, EPR Properties (NYSE: EPR) is a stock you’ll want to dive into right now. If you wait until some later tomorrow, you may miss the opportunity at hand today. Although it’s not for the faint of heart, the 7.7% dividend yield here is probably less risky than it seems. Here are three reasons to give EPR Properties a chance as it works to turn its business around.

The big story around EPR Properties goes back to the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, when non-essential businesses were shut down. This real estate investment trust (REIT) owns properties that bring people together socially in group settings (think amusement parks), so most of its tenants were closed during that period. To ensure it had enough liquidity to survive and, at the same time, help its tenants survive, EPR Properties suspended its dividend for a little over a year.

That was the right decision to make for the business, even if it was likely a tough one for investors to swallow. It would be understandable if conservative dividend investors didn’t want to touch this stock with a 10-foot pole. But the dividend came back in the second half of 2021 and has now been increased three times. While the monthly pay dividend is still below the pre-pandemic level, EPR Properties has proven that it is back to rewarding investors with a growing income stream. If you can handle a little risk in your portfolio, that fact alone makes it worth a closer look.

EPR Properties’ adjusted funds from operations (FFO) payout ratio in the third quarter of 2024 was a solid 66%. That’s a completely reasonable figure in the REIT sector. It suggests that there is a lot of room for adversity before the dividend would be at risk of a cut.

That said, EPR Properties is still working on its business turnaround. There is some potential for more bad news. Notably, Q3 2024 adjusted FFO came in at $1.29 per share, down from $1.47 in the prior year. Through the first nine months of 2024, adjusted FFO was $3.61, compared to $4.07 in the first same period of 2023. That said, Q3 adjusted FFO was up from $1.20 in the second quarter of 2024 and $1.12 in the first quarter. So the trend appears to be heading in a positive direction.

Combine that fact with the payout ratio, and it seems like EPR Properties’ dividend may not be as risky as some investors might be fearing.

EPR Properties’ portfolio is a “tale of two cities” story. Roughly 64% of the portfolio has improved relative to its pre-pandemic performance. Rent coverage on this portion of the portfolio has increased from 2.0x in 2019 to 2.6x today. That’s very good news. But the remaining 36% of the portfolio, which is all movie theaters, has rent coverage of 1.5x compared to 1.7x before the pandemic. This is not good news.

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Social Security is one of the foundations of most Americans’ retirement planning. In an annual poll from Gallup, 60% of retirees said Social Security is a major source of income, and another 28% said it played a minor role in their budget. Keeping as much of your Social Security benefits as you can is essential for many households. That means keeping taxes on your Social Security income low.

One of the biggest challenges for seniors collecting Social Security can be balancing different retirement tax strategies with the effect on Social Security taxes. Unfortunately, Social Security tax rules can be very complicated, and keeping Social Security taxes low is often in conflict with other retirement tax strategies.

If you’re not careful, you could end up with a major surprise when your taxes come due.

Before we dive into how to avoid taxes on Social Security, you’ll need a basic understanding of how Social Security benefits get taxed in the first place. The federal government uses a metric called “combined income” to determine how much of your Social Security, if any, is subject to income taxes. Combined income is equal to the sum of half your Social Security benefits, your adjusted gross income, and any non-taxable interest income.

If your combined income exceeds certain thresholds, a portion of your benefits become taxable as detailed in the table below.

Data source: Social Security Administration.

If those thresholds seem extremely low, that’s because they haven’t changed since Congress set them over 30 years ago. There’s no inflation adjustment, so you must keep your combined income as low as possible every year to avoid additional taxes on Social Security. Since the annual COLA keeps increasing benefits, that’s becoming more and more difficult.

Fortunately, many retirees have a lot of control over the rest of their income, which typically comes in the form of retirement account withdrawals and capital gains. But trying to use some standard tax strategies with both of those income sources could lead to more of your Social Security income becoming taxable, offsetting some or all of the benefits.

Long-term capital gains get a preferred tax bracket compared to other sources of income. The taxes on gains on the sale of securities held for longer than one year can be as low as 0%.

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Rewind to about 15 years ago, and China was the holy grail for automakers. Its market was beginning to boom, and foreign automakers paired up with joint ventures to begin selling vehicles in hopes the region would become another profit machine.

In fact, looking at how dire things are today (more on this in a second), it’s hard to believe General Motors (NYSE: GM) sold more vehicles in China than it did the U.S. from 2010 until 2023. But after a nearly decade-long slide in profits and market share, and blossoming domestic brands, China is now a big problem for investors. However, some recent data gave a silver lining.

To make a fairly well-known story short, the Chinese government heavily subsidized the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The strategy worked, and maybe worked too well. Now there’s an entire domestic market of advanced and highly affordable Chinese EVs that have flooded the industry and created a brutal price war.

The price war has clobbered some domestic financials, and it has also clobbered sales for foreign automakers as it has become increasingly difficult to compete against Chinese brands. As of July, new-energy vehicles, which essentially includes full EVs, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids, accounted for more than 50% of China’s automotive market.

If you can’t compete on prices with EVs in China, you’re in a world of hurt. And that doesn’t even account for the stumbling Chinese economy or trade tensions with the U.S. You can see in the graph below how dramatic the decline in China has been for General Motors.

China’s price war is so vicious that some analysts are calling for a Detroit exit. According to Reuters, John Murphy, Bank of America Securities analyst, said, “I think you have to see the [Big Three] exit China as soon as they possibly can.” Murphy made that statement at his annual presentation of Car Wars, a highly publicized industry report.

General Motors has lost money in China each of the past three quarters, and barring a shocker of a fourth quarter, it will lose money for the full year. There is a silver lining in recent sales data, though, and it shows GM’s fortunes might be turning slightly in the region.

The automaker and its joint ventures witnessed a boost in momentum during the fourth quarter, with sales up over 40%, compared to the prior year. That was an improvement from the third quarter, which posted a 14.3% sequential sales gain. It’s evident that things slowly improved during the back half of 2024, although GM still posted a full-year sales decline of 14% in China.

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