Samuel Mangiapane, CRPC, Managing Principal at Mint Financial Services LLC

11/02/2026

“The stock market takes the stairs up and the elevator down,” according to an old trader’s adage. This chart shows that bearish trends historically happen several times every year.

10/31/2026

10/12/2026

🌟 Happy Columbus Day! 🌟

From art and music to cuisine and community, Italian-Americans have woven a vibrant tapestry that enriches our daily lives, so let’s celebrate their contributions. 🎨🎶🍝 Remember that many places will be taking a break today. Post offices, banks, and most federal offices are closed, so plan accordingly! 📭🏢

10/10/2026

🚀 A spacecraft sent to rescue one of NASA’s aging telescopes got within just nine miles of its target, but it still wasn’t enough to save it.

Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft was sent to boost NASA’s Swift Observatory into a higher orbit. After Link developed problems of its own, engineers managed to stabilize it, but the effort used too much fuel to complete the rescue.

Even so, the mission wasn’t a total loss. 🛰️ Link gathered data and images of Swift, giving engineers valuable practice for future satellite servicing missions.

NASA says Swift, launched in 2004, is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere sometime between October and the end of the year as solar activity continues to pull its orbit lower. 🌌

Sometimes, even an unsuccessful rescue can become a useful test for the next mission.


Source:

A private spacecraft that was supposed to save NASA's sinking Swift Observatory has managed to come within nine miles of the doomed spacecraft and even snap pictures

09/30/2026

🏠 Higher mortgage rates are pushing some homebuyers to look for lower-cost alternatives.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.79%, while the average rate for a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 5.94%.

That gap is drawing more attention to ARMs, which made up 8% of mortgage applications last week, their highest share in five weeks.

🔑 The tradeoff is that an ARM’s rate can change later, which means the lower initial rate may come with more uncertainty down the road.

For buyers comparing mortgage options, it’s worth looking beyond the starting rate and understanding how the loan could change over time.


Source:

Mortgage rates continue to rise, pushing some buyers to riskier, adjustable-rate loans in order to find savings. Rates are at the highest level since June 2025.

09/24/2026

🚨 Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and the financial toll is growing.

Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in scam losses last year, up 25% from the year before. And the real number may be much higher, since many victims never report what happened.

⚠️ The problem is also widespread: 98% of Americans surveyed said they believe scammers have targeted them, and 3 in 10 said they’ve personally lost money or information.

Recovering stolen funds can be difficult, especially when someone is tricked into authorizing a payment. Victims may also be targeted again by criminals claiming they can recover the original loss for a fee.

🔐 If someone contacts you unexpectedly about money, an investment, or recovering funds you’ve already lost, slow down before sending anything. Verify who you’re dealing with through a trusted source, and be especially cautious if there’s pressure to act quickly.


Source:

Virtually every American has been targeted by scammers in some way, exclusive new polling data shows.

09/18/2026

🗞️ Treasury made an unusually large move to calm a shaky corner of the bond market.

On September 10, the Treasury bought back up to $6 billion in 10- and 20-year notes, up from its typical $2 billion operation. Despite the move, yields kept climbing: the 10-year note reached 4.841%, the 20-year hit 5.314%, and the 30-year climbed to 5.307%, levels not seen since before the 2008 financial crisis.

🛢️ The pressure isn't coming from one place. Government debt has grown, tariffs and geopolitical tension have kept inflation concerns alive, and oil prices have climbed back above $100 a barrel.

Higher Treasury yields don't stay contained to the bond market. They tend to show up in mortgage rates 🏠, auto loans, and credit cards, which is why moves like this are worth watching even if bonds aren't something you follow day to day.


Source:

The much-anticipated announcement triples the normal buyback operation and follows an announcement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.