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France’s champagne makers are toasting with record annual sales. Reuters pops the cork on this story @ https://reut.rs/3pfKqmW

Champagne to pop sales record as demand flows again France's champagne producers are preparing to toast record annual sales, an unexpectedly brisk turnaround from last year's pandemic-related troubles that is making them confident they can withstand the onset of the Omicron variant.

Despite consumers trying to get ahead of the holiday shopping season, retail sales showed minimal growth for November. AP News has the scoop @ https://bit.ly/3scsH1C

Modest 0.3% November retail sales bump, optimism still high | AP News NEW YORK (AP) — Americans slowed their spending from October to November but continued shopping ahead of the critical holiday season, brushing off rising prices and shortages. Retail sales rose a modest, seasonally adjusted 0.3% in November compared with the previous month when sales jumped 1.8%, ...

It’s not too late to set yourself up for financial success in the New Year. CNBC has the details @ https://cnb.cx/3macXbg

Your financial wrap-up: 4 savvy money moves to make before year-end Take advantage of these investment and tax strategies that could become more expensive or go away altogether in 2022.

The Federal Reserve will end bond buying and pandemic support measures by March 2022, and has planned for 3 rate hikes by the end of 2022. Reuters has the details @ https://reut.rs/3oZgtah

Fed signals three rate hikes in the cards in 2022 as inflation fight begins The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday it would end its pandemic-era bond purchases in March and pave the way for three quarter-percentage-point interest rate hikes by the end of 2022 as the economy nears full employment and the U.S. central bank copes with a surge of inflation.

The number of shipping containers that left the nation’s nine largest ports without cargo rose by 46.2% so far this year compared to 2020. MarketWatch has the details @ https://on.mktw.net/3rNnJrO

America's new export problem: 12.1 million shipping containers left biggest U.S. ports empty Data collected by MarketWatch from the nation’s nine largest ports show the number of containers that left without cargo rose by 46.2% this year from 2020.

Life insurance policies paid out over $90 billion in 2020, a 15.4% increase over 2019. That’s the largest year-over-year increase since the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Fortune has the details @ https://bit.ly/3IAzQ1m

Life insurance payouts see highest increase in over 100 years Life Insurance policies saw a 15.4% increase last year over 2019. That’s the largest year-over-year increase since the 1918 Influenza Epidemic.

The number of Americans filing initial jobless claims last week unexpectedly fell to the lowest level in 52 years, faring much better than economists were expecting. Forbes has the details @ https://bit.ly/3yaSZ53

The Number Of Americans Filing For New Unemployment Benefits Just Fell To A 52-Year Low Economists were expecting about 211,000 new jobless claims last week.

Charitable giving during the holiday season this year takes on a new, happier meaning when it comes to tax deductions. USA Today has the details @ https://bit.ly/3EFekGg

Tax break for charitable donations packs extra incentive for giving this year Thinking about making a charitable contribution? Check out the special tax break for donations made by the end of 2021.

Manufacturing in the U.S. continued to grow in November, despite ongoing supply chain challenges. AP News has the details @ https://bit.ly/3ddpWUZ

US manufacturing activity continues growth in November | AP News SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — U.S. manufacturing activity grew at a faster pace in November with producers trying to keep up with demand amid ongoing supply shortages and delays. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Wednesday that its index of manufacturing a...

Retailers are hoping this year’s holiday shopping will put them in the green, but supply chain issues and lower consumer spending may have them seeing red. AP News has the details @ https://cnb.cx/3xNyM54

Retailers need to stoke the Christmas spirit to hit lofty holiday sales targets Target, Walmart and other retailers hope to propel strong holiday shopping into December, despite a wave of early purchases and fears over the omicron variant.

The Federal Reserve is preparing to pivot if inflation doesn’t slow as expected in the second half of next year. Reuters has the details @ https://reut.rs/3ruNSeO

With inflation risks rising, Fed's Powell prepares for possible pivot The U.S. central bank needs tobe ready to respond to the possibility that inflation may not recede in the second half of next year as most forecasters currently expect, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday.

A manufacturing survey conducted by the Federal Reserve shows that U.S. manufacturers are feeling the inflationary pressures. Bloomberg has the details @ https://bloom.bg/3DBsmZ2

U.S. Manufacturing Surveys Show More Price Pressures, Demand A pair of Federal Reserve regional manufacturing surveys this week illustrate how inflationary pressures continue to build as demand powers ahead and further stresses supply chains.

Want your holidays to be merry and bright? You’ll want to get a jump on your holiday shopping. CNBC has the scoop @ https://cnb.cx/2Z290NN

3 reasons to start holiday shopping today even though it's November This holiday season is looking to be much different than past shopping seasons. Here's why consumers should shop earlier rather than wait to the last minute this year.

A judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Robinhood and other brokerages of preventing retail investors from purchasing “meme stocks.” Reuters has the details @ https://reut.rs/3wZDU5Z

Robinhood, others win dismissal of meme stock 'short squeeze' lawsuit A U.S. judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Robinhood Markets Inc and other brokerages of wrongly preventing retail investors from buying fast-rising "meme stocks," triggering a sell-off.

Flying for the holiday season? Travel + Leisure has some suggestions to help you navigate the ins and outs @ https://bit.ly/2Z4FQO2

Everything You Need to Know About Holiday Travel in 2021 Here's what you need to know about holiday travel in 2021, from finding the best prices to navigating crowded airports.

Mortgage rates have fallen below 3%, but rising home prices are taking away any savings from home buyers. MarketWatch has the details @ https://on.mktw.net/2YCKS3Y

Mortgage rates fall below 3% again — but rising prices mean that home buyers shouldn’t expect savings The median home price increased in 99% of markets nationwide during the third quarter.

Will the Grinch steal the holiday’s most coveted tech gifts? Supply chain issues may drive up gadget prices this holiday season. Reuters has the inside scoop @ https://reut.rs/3D7suzm

Gadget gifting may get costly this holiday season as supply chain plays The Grinch Shoppers could be looking at an expensive Christmas as supply chain snafus force companies to make and deliver their latest higher margin electronic gadgets to market faster, leaving fewer cheaper options to put under the tree.

The IRS has released the new contribution limits for 401(k)s and IRAs for 2022. CNBC has the details @ https://cnb.cx/3Cbz5Y2

These are your 2022 401(k) and IRA contribution limits Savers can stash away an extra $1,000 in their 401(k)s in 2022, the IRS announced. IRA contribution limits remain unchanged from 2021.

The cost of prescriptions under Medicare are up for reform, with Democrats proposing sweeping changes that would lower the cost of medication over time. The Associated Press has more @ https://bit.ly/2YGUbA2

Real Medicare drug savings in Dems' bill — but not overnight WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare enrollees who take expensive medicines could save thousands of dollars a year under the Democrats’ sweeping social agenda bill, but those dividends won't come overnight. Instead, they'll build gradually over the decade.

If you’re planning on changing jobs, don’t forget about moving over your retirement plan. CNBC has the details @ https://cnb.cx/3By4CTO

Joining the 'Great Resignation'? Here's how to handle your 401(k) If you leave your job, be sure you know how your departure would affect your 401(k) account and what your options are for handling the money.

ESGs are facing new scrutiny, as ESG default insurance now encourages investors to sue if they fail to keep their promises as an environmental or social investment. Forbes has the scoop @ https://bit.ly/3q5dBtF

ESG Default Insurance ESG default insurance forces a company to focus on specific stakeholders, helps the earnest ESG companies to separate themselves, enables socially active investors to sue a company if it reneges on its ESG and empowers the insurance company to become an effective ESG assurance service.

The Fed is still hoping the recent up-tick in inflation is transitory, and is starting to taper its bond-buying measures. Reuters has the latest @ https://reut.rs/3k7rIuG

Fed sings the 'transitory' inflation refrain, unveils bond-buying 'taper' The Federal Reserve threw its weight back behind the drive for a full U.S. jobs recovery on Wednesday, restating its belief that current high inflation is "expected to be transitory" and, despite risks to that view, arguing that price pressures will ease and pave the way for stronger employment and....

The Port of Los Angeles has started to impose fines on cargo ships overstaying their welcome, and is starting to see some movement. CNBC has the story @ https://cnb.cx/3F1f74n

Head of busiest U.S. port says imposing fines for lingering cargo was 'a last resort' but it's starting to help The Port of Los Angeles' decision to impose fines on lingering cargo containers was "a last resort," but it's working, Executive Director Gene Seroka told CNBC.

Who is the richest in America? Meet the 400 Americans who made Forbes’ list @ https://bit.ly/3Gri4MR

The 2021 Forbes 400 List Of Richest Americans: Facts And Figures As a group, the wealthiest U.S. billionaires are richer than ever. And the cutoff to make the list jumped more than it ever has.