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If you are retired or approaching retirement, you have probably parked a chunk of your savings in a high-yield savings account and felt pretty good about it. After all, earning around 4% APY on money you can pull out at any time sounds like a solid deal.But there is another option sitting right next to it on the shelf that most retirees never hear about. It pays a higher guaranteed rate, grows tax-deferred, and does not require you to watch the stock market. The catch is that it asks you to leave your money alone for a few years.The product is called a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity, or MYGA, and for retirees who have savings they will not need for three to seven years, the numbers right now are hard to ignore.MYGA rates are outpacing high-yield savings accounts right nowThe rate gap between MYGAs and high-yield savings accounts has widened considerably. As of March 2026, top A-rated MYGA providers are offering guaranteed rates between 5.00% and 5.75% on three- to seven-year terms, according to data from Annuity Expert Advice. The best five-year MYGA rate from a rated carrier sits at 6.30%.Compare that to the high-yield savings account landscape. According to NerdWallet’s March 2026 survey, the top HYSAs are paying around 4.00% to 4.21% APY, while the FDIC’s national average savings rate remains just 0.39%.That is a difference of roughly 1 to 2 full percentage points between the best MYGA and the best HYSA. On a $100,000 deposit over five years, even a 1.5-percentage-point difference translates to thousands of dollars in additional earnings before you even factor in the tax advantage.How a MYGA actually works and who should consider oneA MYGA is a fixed annuity issued by an insurance company. You deposit a lump sum, choose a term length, and the insurer locks in a guaranteed interest rate for the full duration. Your principal is protected, there is no stock market exposure, and your money compounds at the same rate every year.Related: Retirement Savings Solutions to Weather Stormy MarketsTerms typically range from three to ten years. Most carriers require a minimum deposit between $5,000 and $25,000, though the most competitive rates tend to kick in at $100,000 or more, according to My Annuity Store’s 2026 guide.Key features that separate MYGAs from savings accountsYour rate is fixed for the full term. It does not fluctuate with Fed decisions or bank policy changes.Interest grows tax-deferred. You owe no income tax on earnings until you make a withdrawal.Most contracts allow a 10% penalty-free withdrawal each year if you need limited access to funds.MYGAs are not FDIC insured. They are backed by the issuing insurance company’s claims-paying ability and your state’s guaranty association, which typically covers $100,000 to $500,000.If you withdraw more than the free amount before the term ends, you will face surrender charges that can run as high as 10% of the withdrawal.The ideal MYGA buyer is someone in or near retirement who has a portion of their savings earmarked for a specific future need, such as covering living expenses starting in five years, funding a future home purchase, or simply growing a stable reserve outside the stock market.The tax-deferred advantage retirees often overlookThis is where MYGAs pull further ahead for retirees, and it is a detail that does not show up in a simple rate comparison. With a high-yield savings account, you owe federal income tax on every dollar of interest earned each year, even if you do not withdraw a cent. If you are in the 22% or 24% federal tax bracket, that reduces your effective return immediately.With a MYGA, your earnings compound tax-deferred for the entire term. You do not owe taxes until you take money out. On a $200,000 deposit over five years, My Annuity Store estimates this difference can add $8,000 to $15,000 to your net return compared to a CD or savings account, depending on your tax bracket.A simple comparison on $100,000 over five yearsHYSA at 4.00% APY (taxed annually at 22%): Roughly $116,500 after taxesMYGA at 5.50% (tax-deferred, taxed at withdrawal): Roughly $128,200 before tax on gains, with the flexibility to manage when you realize that incomeThe ability to control when you pay taxes is especially valuable in retirement. You can time withdrawals to fall in lower-income years or spread them across multiple tax years to stay in a lower bracket.Where high-yield savings accounts still winMYGAs are not the right tool for every dollar you have. If you need your money within the next year or two, a high-yield savings account remains the better choice. You get full liquidity, FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor per institution, and no penalties for pulling funds out at any time.Situations where an HYSA makes more senseYour emergency fund. This money needs to be accessible immediately without penalties or waiting periods.Short-term savings goals. If you are saving for a purchase or expense within the next 6 to 18 months, locking your money into a multi-year contract does not make sense.Funds you may need unexpectedly. Medical bills, home repairs, or family emergencies require liquidity that a MYGA cannot provide without a cost.The Federal Reserve held rates steady at its January 2026 meeting, keeping the federal funds rate between 3.50% and 3.75%. HYSA rates have been trending lower since late 2024. That makes the case for locking in a MYGA rate now even stronger for money you will not need soon.The risks and trade-offs you need to understand before buying a MYGAMYGAs are among the simplest annuity products available, but they are not risk-free. Before you commit, you need to understand what you are giving up:Surrender charges can be steepIf you withdraw more than the annual penalty-free amount before your term ends, the insurer will charge a surrender fee. These fees typically start at 7% to 10% in the first year and decline gradually. If you have any doubt about needing the money early, a MYGA is not the right vehicle for that portion of your savings.MYGAs are not FDIC insuredYour deposit is backed by the insurance company’s financial strength, not the federal government. That is why financial professionals strongly recommend choosing carriers rated A- or better by AM Best.Your state’s guaranty association provides an additional safety net, typically covering between $100,000 and $500,000 depending on where you live.Early withdrawal before age 59½ triggers a tax penaltyIf you withdraw earnings from a MYGA before reaching 59½, the IRS imposes a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of regular income taxes, according to IRS guidelines on annuity distributions. This makes MYGAs a better fit for people who are at or near traditional retirement age.You could miss out on rising ratesOnce you lock in a MYGA rate, you are committed for the full term. If rates rise significantly during that period, your money is stuck earning the lower guaranteed rate. One way to manage this risk is through laddering, which means splitting your deposit across MYGAs with different maturity dates so a portion comes due every year or two.How to decide which option fits your retirement planThe answer is not MYGA or HYSA. For most retirees, the answer is both. The practical approach is to think about your savings in buckets.A framework for splitting your savingsBucket 1: Immediate access (HYSA). Keep six to twelve months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account for emergencies and near-term spending.Bucket 2: Medium-term growth (MYGA). Savings you will not need for three to seven years can earn a higher guaranteed rate in a MYGA while growing tax-deferred.Bucket 3: Long-term growth (investments). Money with a horizon of seven-plus years belongs in a diversified investment portfolio for growth potential that outpaces inflation over time.More Employment:Apple CEO Tim Cook drops strong immigration messageLayoffs in January reach recession-era levelsAmazon delivers Seattle purge ahead of earningsThis is not a one-size-fits-all formula. Your specific allocation depends on your monthly expenses, other income sources like Social Security and pensions, your health, and your risk tolerance. If you are unsure about how to split things up, a fee-only financial advisor who does not earn commissions on product sales can help you build a plan tailored to your situation.Practical steps if you are ready to explore MYGAsIf the rate advantage and tax-deferred growth appeal to you, here is how to move forward without making a costly mistake.Determine your available lump sum: Only commit money you are confident you will not need for the full term. Do not touch your emergency fund or near-term reserves.Compare rates from A-rated carriers: Use rate comparison tools from sources like Blueprint Income, Annuity Expert Advice, or Immediate Annuities. Always verify the insurer’s AM Best rating is A- or higher.Consider a laddering strategy: Instead of putting everything into one five-year MYGA, split your deposit across three, four, and five-year terms so one matures each year.Decide between qualified and non-qualified funding: You can fund a MYGA with IRA money (qualified) or personal savings (non-qualified). The tax treatment at withdrawal differs, so understand the implications before you choose.Read the surrender schedule carefully: Know exactly what fees apply if you need to access more than the annual free withdrawal amount before maturity.MYGA rates remain near 15-year highs heading into spring 2026. If the Fed continues its gradual easing, those rates may not stay at these levels much longer. For retirees sitting on excess cash in a savings account, this is a window worth taking seriously.

Ed Yardeni foresees gold having a long runway ahead. Despite the recent sluggishness, the veteran strategist believes the shiny yellow metal has the potential to reach $6,000 an ounce by the end of 2026 (a 20% increase from current prices) and $10,000 by the end of the decade.At the time of writing, spot gold traded at around $5,017.70 per ounce, or nearly $161.32 per gram, according to Kitco data. In addition, spot silver was trading near $80.45 per ounce, or roughly $2.59 per gram.However, Yardeni’s rationale is not the usual inflation fears or commodity demand.In his opinion, gold’s incredible run underscores a deeper shift in geopolitics, global reserves, and the search for assets investors can diversify into.In a recent Bloomberg interview, Yardeni traced the origins of gold’s bull run to the moment the U.S. and Europe froze nearly $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves following the invasion of Ukraine.That moment pushed governments and investors around the world to rethink where they keep their wealth.Suddenly, investors felt that assets that sat outside any government’s balance sheet looked much more attractive.That’s exactly where the king metal comes in.Though Yardeni feels the metal is currently consolidating near $5,000 an ounce, the forces pushing it higher are only getting started.Gold price returns over timeOver 30 days: +3.87%Over 6 months: +39.07%Over 1 year: +70.77%Over 5 years: +195.57%Over 20 years: +980.51%
Source: Goldprice.org
Who is Ed Yardeni?Ed Yardeni’s voice matters on Wall Street because he wears multiple hats and often delivers some of the market’s most prescient takes.He currently serves as the president and chief investment strategist of Yardeni Research, a firm he founded back in 2007, with his work covering the economy, the stock market, bonds, and commodities. More Gold:Gold, silver surge after record drop flashes technical signalSilver and gold tumble triggers major reset for mining stocksJ.P. Morgan revises gold price target for 2026What sets him apart is that he doesn’t sound like a typical bank house analyst, giving his views a lot more weight when the markets get shaky.Perhaps his most far-sighted calls include him predicting in 1988 that the Dow would hit 5,000 by 1993. He later predicted in 1995 that it would reach 10,000 by 2000. Yardeni is also famous for coining the term “bond vigilantes,” which has essentially become a shorthand for how markets enforce fiscal discipline.Wall Street’s targets on goldJPMorgan: $6,300 by end-2026UBS: $6,200 for March, June, and September 2026Deutsche Bank: $6,000 in 2026Societe Generale: $6,000 by year-endGoldman Sachs: $5,400 by end-2026Bank of America: $5,000 in 2026
Source: Reuters

Gold prices remain in focus after a longtime analyst shared a fresh outlook for investors.Shutterstock

Investors may be running out of places to hideYardeni feels that gold’s rally has everything to do with diversification at a time when traditional hedges are no longer working as effectively.In his Bloomberg interview, he remarked that gold and the S&P 500 typically move in opposite directions, especially in the short term. Over the long run, though, the two assets share a similar upward trajectory as wealth expands and investors spread their money across a variety of asset classes.The bigger issue at hand is that investors seem to be running out of options to hide. Bonds, which usually offer a classic hedge against stock volatility, have not provided the same protection as inflation has kept yields elevated.Related: Goldman Sachs resets Marvell price target after earningsBitcoin is often considered a modern alternative, but its current lackluster performance has exposed its lack of credibility compared with gold.That is exactly what billionaire Ray Dalio discussed in a recent breakdown on gold, as I noted in this article. And as I’ve mentioned in several other pieces lately, central bank demand remains as strong as ever.According to the World Gold Council, central banks scooped up 1,092.4 tonnes of the safe haven metal in 2024 and 863.3 tonnes in 2025, comfortably above the 473-tonne annual average between 2010 and 2021.Moreover, gold’s rally has increasingly been linked to geopolitics. That’s why, per the World Gold Council, the shiny yellow metal set 53 new all-time highs in 2025.Surveys from OMFIF also show that 31% of reserve managers cite geopolitics as a critical investment driver, up from just 4% a year prior.Gold’s failed breakout signals short-term weakness, despite an intact uptrendGold’s performance over the past month remained mostly muted.Spot gold was up just 0.6%, from $5,022.06 on Feb. 13 to $5,052.15 on March 13. However, within that narrow gain, it jumped to $5,230.56 by Feb. 27 and then later spiked above $5,400 in early March with the Iran conflict triggering a rush into safe-haven assets.Related: 5-star analyst revamps Micron stock price target before earningsThat rally didn’t last for long, though, due to a shift in the macro narrative.Initially, we saw softer inflation readings, expectations for 0.63% of Fed cuts in 2026, supercharging gold. Later, rising oil prices, a healthier dollar, and fears of “higher-for-longer” interest rates capped the rally.From a technical perspective, things look relatively bearish for the precious metal in the short term, but a lot more bullish in the medium term.The near-term case is the obvious, with gold posting two straight weeks of weekly declines, and has failed to hold moves above the $5,200-$5,230 zone. The early-March breakout above the $5,400 level looks like a breakout failure, a negative technical signal suggesting that buyers weren’t able to sustain an obvious momentum surge.However, in the medium term, we can gauge that gold is still trading well above the critical $5,000 psychological area, meaningfully above its mid-February level, and still in a broader uptrend.So clearly, the broader uptrend seems mostly intact, pointing to healthy upside after the recent bout of profit-taking.Related: Veteran analyst shares warning for stock market investors

If you have money sitting in a certificate of deposit at one of the big national banks, you might be earning far less than you think.A March 2026 report from CD Valet found that community financial institutions are paying savers nearly a full percentage point more than the biggest banks in the country. That gap is not theoretical; it shows up in real dollars on real deposits, and most savers have no idea it exists.The difference matters more than you might expect, especially if you are comparing options for a 12-month CD, a term that millions of Americans choose when they want safety and a guaranteed return. Yet the majority of savers never shop beyond the name they already know.CD Valet’s March report exposes a 90-basis-point gap between big banks and community lendersCD Valet’s monthly Ratewatcher report analyzes more than 40,000 publicly listed CD rates from nearly 5,000 banks and credit unions nationwide. The March 2026 edition, covering rate activity from Feb. 6 through March 8, paints a stark picture of how much you lose by defaulting to a big-name institution.As of March 9, institutions with $1 billion to $10 billion in assets are offering an average CD APY of 2.9%. Those with assets between $500 million and $1 billion are at 2.8%. In contrast, the largest institutions, those with $50 billion or more in assets, are averaging just 2%.That is a gap of roughly 90 basis points, or nearly a full percentage point, between the biggest banks and the mid-sized community institutions that most Americans overlook. For a $10,000 deposit, that difference alone could mean $90 or more in lost interest over a single year. Scale it to $50,000 or $100,000, and you start to see real money quietly disappearing.The 12-month CD tells an even more grim storyWhen you narrow the comparison to the 12-month CD, one of the most commonly selected terms by savers, the spread becomes even harder to ignore.According to CD Valet, institutions with $1 billion to $10 billion in assets have an average 12-month CD APY of 2.72%. Those in the $500 million to $1 billion range offer 2.73%. The biggest banks, those with $50 billion or more, offer just 1.66% for the exact same product.More Personal Finance:Why selling a home to your child for a dollar can backfireElon Musk says ‘universal high income’ is comingFTC, 21 states sue Uber over ‘shady’ subscription billingLet that sink in. You could be earning more than a full percentage point higher on your 12-month CD by choosing a community bank or credit union over a household name. On a $25,000 deposit, that difference is roughly $265 in a single year. On a $100,000 deposit, it is more than $1,060.Why big banks keep CD rates low while smaller institutions competeYou might wonder why the biggest banks can get away with offering so much less. The answer is straightforward. They do not need to compete for your deposits in the same way smaller banks do.Large national banks already sit on enormous deposit bases and have diversified revenue streams from investment banking, wealth management, and credit card operations. They do not have to lure savers with high CD rates because their brand recognition and branch network do the heavy liftingCommunity banks, credit unions, and online-only institutions operate with a different model. They rely on CD deposits as a critical source of funding. To attract that capital, they have to offer you a better deal. That competitive pressure is exactly what drives rates higher for their customers.CD Valet’s analysis also revealed a broader trend that makes the current window particularly important for savers. During the most recent 30-day period, there were fewer rate changes overall compared to the previous month. And of the changes that did occur, approximately 70% were rate decreases.That means the rate environment is tilting downward. Banks and credit unions appear to be holding steady, or trimming, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled for March 17-18, 2026. With the federal funds rate currently at 3.50% to 3.75% and economic signals still mixed, institutions are waiting for clearer direction before making big moves. This uncertainty actually creates an opportunity for proactive savers, said CD Valet Head of Marketing and Communications Mary Grace Roske. Locking in a competitive CD rate now, before the FOMC weighs in, protects you against potential further declines. She also suggested considering no-penalty CDs, which allow you to withdraw your full balance without fees after the first few days. These offer flexibility if rates unexpectedly rise, though they typically pay slightly less than standard CDs.How to find better CD rates without switching your entire banking relationshipYou do not have to close your checking account at Chase or Bank of America to earn more on your savings. Many people assume switching banks is an all-or-nothing move, but CDs work differently. You can open one at a community bank, credit union, or online institution while keeping your primary accounts exactly where they are. Here is what to prioritize when comparing.What to look for when shopping for a CD:Verify FDIC or NCUA insurance: Your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, regardless of whether it is a bank or credit union. This is non-negotiable.Compare APY across asset sizes. As the CD Valet data shows, mid-sized institutions often beat both the smallest and the largest banks on rate. Do not assume the biggest or the smallest institution is automatically best.Check early withdrawal penalties. If there is any chance you might need the money before the term ends, know the penalty. Some banks charge 90 days of interest. Others charge six months or more. A handful of institutions offer no-penalty CDs with slightly lower rates.Consider a CD ladder. Instead of putting all your savings into one term, split it across multiple maturities (3-month, 6-month, 12-month, etc.). This gives you regular access to a portion of your money while still locking in higher rates on longer terms.Look beyond your local branch. Many federally insured banks and credit unions accept deposits from customers nationwide, even if they do not have a branch near you. Online account opening has made this nearly frictionless.When a CD might not be the right move for your moneyCDs are one of the safest places to park money you do not need immediately, but they are not the right tool for every situation.If you do not have a fully funded emergency reserve, a High-yield Savings Account (HSA) is a better first step. Savings accounts offer similar or sometimes higher APYs with no lock-up period and no early withdrawal penalty. As of early March 2026, competitive high-yield savings accounts are paying in the 4% to 5% APY range, according to NerdWallet’s tracking data, which is notably higher than the average CD rate at a big national bank.CDs also carry reinvestment risk. If your CD matures during a period of even lower rates, you may not be able to lock in a comparable return. This is especially relevant now, with the Fed potentially cutting rates further in 2026. That makes the current window for locking in a competitive CD rate more valuable, but it also means you should plan your maturities carefully.And if you are saving for a goal more than five years away, like retirement, CDs are unlikely to keep up with the long-term growth potential of diversified investments. They serve a specific purpose: capital preservation with a guaranteed return over a defined period.The bottom line for savers in March 2026If you are keeping CDs at one of the nation’s biggest banks, you are almost certainly earning less than you should be. The CD Valet data confirms what financial planners have long suspected: Brand loyalty in banking carries a measurable cost, and for CD savers, that cost can approach a full percentage point in lost APY.With 70% of recent rate changes trending downward, the clock is ticking on current yields. The FOMC’s March meeting could accelerate that decline. If you have been meaning to compare CD rates or rethink where your short-term savings sit, the time to act is now, not after the next rate cut.You do not need to upend your entire financial life. You just need to spend some time looking beyond the names you already know. That alone could be worth hundreds, or thousands, of dollars over the next year.Related: Fed’s latest rate cut may be your last real break for a while

The Iran War has driven oil prices to some of their biggest gains in futures history, with Brent crude surpassing $100 per barrel on Thursday, March 12, 2026.The reason behind soaring oil prices is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between Iran and Oman. Every day, as much as 30% of the world’s supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are transported through the waterway, but Iran’s army has caused major supply disruptions by setting fire to oil tankers and killing seven people.As oil and gas prices rise amid the conflict, some of the world’s biggest energy companies, like Chevron Corp. (CVX), stand to benefit.But is CVX a good buy for the long term? @bigcountry_757 Welp something gotta give 🤣🤣🤣🤣 lmfao toohigh #gasgonewild #fyp #foryoupage #viral ♬ It’s Tricky – RUN DMC Is Chevron a good buy now?With a market capitalization of $395 billion as of March 2026 and annual revenue of around $189 billion, CVX remains a dominant force in the global energy sector.In fact, its sheer scale and strong balance sheet are two reasons why it’s so attractive.Related: How many employees does Chevron have? A look inside its global workforceIn 2025, Chevron reported $12.3 billion in net income while at the same time growing its free cash flow to an adjusted $20.2 billion, which signifies stability as well as a potential for even more future growth.In addition, according to Yahoo! Finance, CVX has a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio when compared to peers like ConocoPhillips (0.20 vs 0.36).CVX has a long and resilient history, with roots tracing back centuries, to 1879, when it was founded as Pacific Coast Oil Company. John D. Rockefeller himself acquired the company in 1900; he merged it with Standard Oil Company and, in the process, created an oil giant.While Chevron’s acquisition of Hess Corp. was held up in courts for over a year due to arbitration with ExxonMobil over some of its oil assets, the deal finally went through in July 2025 for $55 billion. In the process, CVX expanded its output to a record 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, as reported on its Q4 earnings call.But buying Hess was just one part of Chevron’s long-term business strategy, one that included a broader restructuring effort launched by CEO Mike Wirth in 2024 to streamline operations and enhance profitability.And while the company plans to shed 15–20% of its global workforce by the end of 2026, on the earnings call, Wirth stated that CVX is now “bigger, stronger, and more resilient than ever,” due to its increased production and consistent dividends.Speaking of dividends, Chevron has raised its dividend each year for 39 years straight, which isn’t something a lot of companies can say. This lands it among the ranks of the so-called “dogs of the Dow,” a category that includes the 10 highest dividend-yielding stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, America’s oldest (and arguably most prestigious) stock market index. Currently 3.76%, CVX’s dividend yield alone makes it a juicy prospect for long-term investors.Related: The Dow’s best dividend stocks: A shortlist for income investorsWhy investors should be cautiousChevron’s dividend is considered exceptional, especially compared to other S&P 500 companies: Its average yield is between 1% and 2%. The fact that CVX has raised its dividend for nearly four decades places it among a select group of stocks known as the dividend aristocrats.There are currently only 69 stocks that make up this elite category: They are viewed as stable and reliable blue chips and are favored by retirees and income investors because they offer sustainable income — even when the markets turn.Company histories:History of Microsoft: Company timeline & factsHistory of Coca-Cola: Timeline, facts & milestonesHistory of Nike: Company timeline and factsHowever, investing in the energy sector always comes with risks, as commodity prices often fluctuate. These prices swing based on global supply and demand, as well as geopolitical tensions — which we’ve seen in spades in 2026.Investors must remember that energy price spikes frequently lead to increased production and oversupply (energy companies, after all, are profit-seeking entities), which causes a glut and, consequently, results in price crashes. What goes up can very quickly come back down, so they say, and so short-term investors must be prepared to handle these price swings.Then again, famed investor Warren Buffett may have put it best when he said: “Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy only when others are fearful.”Related: What does Chevron mean? A look inside its corporate logo