February 04, 2026 01:27 PM EST
States Taking Steps to Reduce Property Taxes
Homeowners in Montana and North Dakota will soon experience a reduction in their property taxes. This trend may not be isolated, as a growing political movement aims to lower or eliminate property taxes on primary homes across several states.
Since 2019, national property taxes have risen by 30%, propelled by skyrocketing home prices post-pandemic, making it increasingly difficult for many homeowners to afford their residences. To combat this, at least seven states are witnessing legislative proposals aimed at reducing these taxes for permanent residents.
Last year, Montana approved a significant tax cut for primary residences to take effect in the 2025 tax year, while North Dakota also passed reforms aimed at reducing property taxes for the same period.
In Florida, voters may soon have opportunities to adjust property tax regulations, as legislative proposals have advanced in the state. Similar initiatives are emerging in various other states.
The surge in home prices—up approximately 55% since the pandemic—has led to considerable increases in property tax bills, given that these taxes are based on a home’s assessed value.
For more details, you can read the full article here.
–Terry Lane
February 04, 2026 12:42 PM EST
US Economy Resilient Despite High Tariffs
Many economists anticipated tariffs could severely damage the US economy; however, it has instead shown quicker growth than expected. What explains this situation?
Ben Harris from the Brookings Institution mentioned that if economists were informed of current developments, they would likely have predicted either stagnation or a downturn.
Following President Trump’s inauguration, a series of tariffs altered the US trading landscape dramatically, raising the average from 2.4% on election day to approximately 28% by April. Currently, after negotiations, the average tariff stands at 17%.
Yet, the actual impact of these tariffs has been less severe than anticipated. Despite inflation exceeding the Federal Reserve’s target for nearly four years, it remains below the highs seen in 2022. Economic measurements reveal robust growth.
For comprehensive insights, read the full article here.
–Terry Lane
February 04, 2026 12:11 PM EST
Chipotle’s Conservative 2026 Targets May Help Stock
Despite rising sales primarily from new store openings, Chipotle’s overall transactions have decreased, contributing to a drop of around one-third in stock value within the past year. The latest quarterly numbers showed only a slight dip in stock price.
The company forecasted flat same-store sales for 2026 while planning to open up to 370 new restaurants predominantly in the US, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook.
For further information about this development, the complete article is available here.
–David Marino-Nachison
February 04, 2026 11:42 AM EST
Surge in Casino Stocks Fueled by BetMGM Gains
A significant rise in revenues from sports betting has boosted the shares of MGM Resorts and Entain following strong fiscal results from their joint venture, BetMGM.
BetMGM reported a 63% increase in online sports revenue year-over-year, along with improved profitability, presenting a promising picture for future growth.
Shares of Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands also saw marked increases, demonstrating a strong market reaction to BetMGM’s performance.
For further insights, you can read the article here.
February 04, 2026 11:13 AM EST
New Car Loan Interest Deduction Limitations
Buyers of new cars in 2025 might benefit from a new tax credit enabling them to deduct a portion of their auto loan interest from their taxes. However, this deduction applies only to vehicles assembled in the United States.
Approximately 30% of the vehicles sold in the US meet this criterion according to a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.
To check if a vehicle qualifies, buyers can use the VIN Decoder provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To delve deeper, read the full article here.
–Elizabeth Guevara
