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It's still unclear if all patients, particularly those with insurance coverage, will see more cost savings from using that site to buy their medicines. View More

President Donald Trump makes an announcement from the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Nov. 6, 2025.Jonathan Ernst | Reuters President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the launch of TrumpRx — a direct-to-consumer website that is key to his administration's efforts to lower prescription drug costs in the U.S. The president said millions of Americans would save money through TrumpRx, but it's still unclear if all patients — particularly those with insurance coverage — will see more cost savings from using that site to buy their medicines than they would through existing methods. TrumpRx targets people who are willing to pay with cash and forgo insurance, which suggests that people without or with limited coverage may benefit the most. The site does not sell drugs directly to American patients, but will act as a central hub that points them to drugmakers that are offering discounts on certain products on their own direct-to-consumer sites, or gives them discount coupons to take to pharmacies. For example, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk were already offering their blockbuster obesity drugs at hefty discounts to cash-paying patients, even before the reductions Trump touted on Thursday.In recent months, both companies and at least 14 other drugmakers have negotiated agreements with the Trump administration to participate on the platform and voluntarily sell certain medicines at a discount to Medicaid patients. Those landmark deals are part of Trump's broader "most favored nation" policy, which pushes to link U.S. drug prices to the lowest ones abroad.It is the government's latest effort to try to rein in U.S. prescription drug prices, which are two to three times higher on average than those in other developed nations — and up to 10 times more than in certain countries, according to the Rand Corp., a public policy think tank.But TrumpRx "doesn't seem like it is the only solution" to that issue for most Americans, said Juliette Cubanski, deputy director of the program on Medicare Policy at KFF, a health policy research organization. The cash-pay offerings could be better deals for patients without insurance, but it's difficult to assess exactly how many people stand to benefit from TrumpRx, she added. "If they're able to get a drug covered by their insurance at a relatively affordable copay, then there's not a great upside to using the TrumpRx website," Cubanski said. She said people with insurance coverage who buy through direct-to-consumer platforms may also not have their purchases count toward their benefits, which means it doesn't help them meet their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. But Cubanski said there's potential for TrumpRx to be helpful in expanding access to certain drugs at more affordable prices, particularly medicines not covered widely by insurance in the U.S., such as obesity drugs. Medicare will start covering weight loss treatments for the first time later this year as part of the deals Lilly and Novo struck with Trump, but many employers are still hesitant to cover those drugs. Still, many of the other products expected to be listed on TrumpRx are already widely covered through insurance, and some are available as cheaper generics from competing drugmakers. Questions about savings Questions remain about how much savings people can expect if they buy their medicines at direct-to-consumer prices. The announced price reductions for certain drugs are framed as steep cuts from their so-called retail list prices. For example, under Novo Nordisk's agreement with the administration, its diabetes drug Ozempic will be priced at $350 per month on TrumpRx, which is less than half of its roughly $1,000 monthly list price. But those list prices are often far higher than what private insurers and government programs ultimately pay for medicines after rebates, discounts and other concessions, according to researchers at Georgetown's Medicare Policy Initiative. That suggests some payers may already be securing prices comparable to — or lower than — the newly announced discounts on medications under the Trump deals. The Georgetown researchers cited one study that found that average discounts on brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D run around 40% of list prices. Meanwhile, discounts in Medicaid exceed 75%, according to a Congressional Budget Office study. In the private sector, "we've got insurers and pharmacy benefit managers negotiating lower prices and designing an insurance benefit that enables people to benefit from those price negotiations," said KFF's Cubanski. "My guess is that for most drugs, at least most brand-name medications, people are likely to get a better deal using their insurance rather than purchasing a drug through a direct-to-consumer website," she said. Drugs on TrumpRx The administration has not provided a full list of drugs that will be listed on TrumpRx. But available information from recent drug pricing deals indicates many widely used drugs will have discounted prices listed on the site:Ozempic injection for diabetes, made by Novo Nordisk: $350 per month, down from around $1,000Wegovy injection for obesity, made by Novo Nordisk: $350 per month, down from around $1,350Wegovy pill for obesity, made by Novo Nordisk: $150 per month for the starting dosesZepbound injection for obesity, made by Eli Lilly: $350 per month, down from $1,086Trulicity for diabetes, made by Eli Lilly: $389 per month, down from about $1,000Emgality for migraines, made by Eli Lilly: $299, down from around $764Repatha for lowering cholesterol, made by Amgen: $239, down from $573Reyataz for HIV, made by Bristol Myers Squibb: $217, down from $1,449Januvia for diabetes, made by Merck: $100, down from $330Epclusa for hepatitis C, made by Gilead: $2,425, down from $24,920Jentadueto for diabetes, made by Boehringer Ingelheim: $55, down from $525Xofluza for flu, made by Genentech: $50, down from $168 Advair Diskus inhaler 500/50, made by GSK: $89, down from $265Mayzent for multiple sclerosis, made by Novartis: $1,137, down from $9,987Plavix, made by Sanofi: $16, down from $756In an interview with CNBC at a conference in January, Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner said the company has multiple products on its existing direct-to-consumer platform, which first offered a cash-pay discount on its blood thinner Eliquis. That platform will link to TrumpRx, he said. The company is going to examine ways to put additional products in its portfolio on its own platform, "where it makes sense," Boerner added. He said Bristol Myers is "aligned with the administration" on the issue of the U.S. health care system being too complex, and said several middlemen can increase costs. "What we like about these [direct-to-consumer models], where they make sense from a business standpoint, is you're able to circumvent some of that," Boerner said. Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with CNBC last week, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said the company was the first drugmaker to sell obesity treatments directly to patients, and that TrumpRx is "taking that and expanding it across the industry" to other medicines."We're all for that," Ricks said.

Some market watchers have suggested $70,000 is a key level to watch and a break below that could lead bitcoin to decline further. View More

In this articleBTC.CM=ETH.CM=XRP.CM=Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Cheng Xin | Getty Images Bitcoin sank below $61,000 on Thursday evening as investor confidence continued to falter in the asset once hailed as "digital gold" and a unique store of value. At one point, the token slid to $60,068.00, as the crypto sell-off intensified in overnight trading. Bitcoin was last down about 18% at 7:16 p.m. ET, trading at $60,376.06.Digital assets, including bitcoin, have fallen deeper into the red as investors re-assess the practical utility of a token that has been championed not only as a hedge against inflation and macroeconomic uncertainties but also as an alternative to fiat currencies and traditional safe-havens such as gold.That hasn't panned out lately, since bitcoin peaked just north of $126,000 in early October.The cryptocurrency broke below the key level of $70,000 earlier in the session Thursday and then the selling increased, bringing the asset closer in line with its pre-election level. The cryptocurrency is down almost 30% this week alone. Stock Chart IconStock chart iconBitcoin, 1 day "This steady selling in our view signals that traditional investors are losing interest, and overall pessimism about crypto is growing," Deutsche Bank analyst Marion Laboure said Wednesday in a note to clients.Growing investor caution comes as many of the sensationalized claims about bitcoin have failed to materialize. The token has largely traded in the same direction as other risk-on assets, such as stocks, particularly during recent geopolitical and macroeconomic flare ups in Venezuela, the Middle East and Europe, and its adoption as a form of payment for goods and services has been minimal.Bitcoin underperforming gold Bitcoin is down nearly 30% over the past year, while gold has surged 68% in the same period. Other cryptocurrencies are cratering too. Ether has pulled back 23% this week, on track for its worst week since November 2022, when it slumped 24%. Solana hit $88.42 on Thursday, about a two-year low and off 24% on the week.Some traders have suggested $70,000 is a key level to watch and a break below that could trigger further declines for bitcoin. James Butterfill, head of research at Coinshares, said $70,000 is shaping up as a "key psychological level," adding that "if we fail to hold it, a move toward" the $60,000 to $65,000 range "becomes quite likely." Stock Chart IconStock chart iconThe price of bitcoin over the last year. The latest move in bitcoin comes amid a worsening sell-off in U.S. tech stocks. The State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF dropped 2.8% Wednesday, one day after losing 2.2%. Meanwhile, precious metals continue to be volatile too, with silver plunging again on Thursday and gold under pressure. Forced liquidations — when traders' positions are automatically sold as bitcoin hits a set price — continue to weigh on markets. As of Thursday, more than $2 billion in long and short positions in cryptocurrencies have been liquidated this week, according to data from Coinglass.Bitcoin has been on a steady decline for more than three months, and is now more than 45% below its October high. Other cryptocurrencies, including ether and XRP, have fallen even more. "[The] straight line bull run that a lot of people expected hasn't really materialized yet. Bitcoin isn't trading on hype anymore, the story has lost a bit of that plot, it is trading on pure liquidity and capital flows," Maja Vujinovic, CEO of digital assets at FG Nexus, told CNBC's "Worldwide Exchange." watch nowVIDEO3:2203:22Downside crypto volatility will persist as liquidations, falling equities hit sector: Citi's SaundersThe Exchange Institutional demand reversesWhile many in the crypto market have previously credited large institutional investors with supporting the price of bitcoin, now it is those same participants who appear to be selling."Institutional demand has reversed materially," CryptoQuant said in a report on Wednesday. U.S. exchange-traded funds, which purchased 46,000 bitcoin this time last year, are net sellers in 2026, CryptoQuant said.The report notes other worrying signs. "Bitcoin has broken below its 365-day moving average for the first time since March 2022 and has declined 23% in the 83 days since the breakdown — worse than the early 2022 bear phase," CryptoQuant analysts said. A moving average tracks the price of an asset over a set number of periods, smoothing out short-term price fluctuations to identify trends.The latest leg lower in bitcoin suggests "potential downside toward the $70K–$60K range," CryptoQuant said.

In a written reply, housing and urban affairs ministry said during 2023–24 and 2024–25, CPWD procured 300 air purifiers. “The devices were issued to offices, chambers, VVIP lounges, dining halls of judges and registrar of SC, courtrooms, ministers, Constitution Club of India, LS/RS secretariats in Parliament complex and various offices of ministries, departments at Nirman Bhavan, Sewa Bhavan, Vigyan Bhavan, and CPWD offices at Jodhpur and Varanasi,” it said. View More

Amazon is investing heavily to capitalize on artificial intelligence opportunities in the cloud. View More

In this articleAMZNFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman delivers a keynote address at the AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas on Dec. 2, 2025.Noah Berger | Amazon Web Services | Getty Images Amazon said Thursday that revenue from its cloud unit increased almost 24% in the fourth quarter, topping analysts' estimates.Amazon Web Services generated $35.58 billion in revenue, according to a statement. Analysts polled by StreetAccount had expected $34.93 billion. AWS represented about 17% of Amazon's total revenue for the quarter.Operating income within AWS came to $12.47 billion, more than StreetAccount's $11.91 billion consensus, accounting for most of its parent company's profits. AWS' operating margin widened slightly to 35% from 34.6% in the third quarter.Amazon leads the cloud infrastructure market, which its introduced almost 20 years ago, but Google and Microsoft have rapidly growing businesses in the space and, according to many analysts, are seeing stronger growth from artificial intelligence services. On Wednesday, Alphabet said revenue from the Google Cloud group, which includes Google Workspace productivity software bundles along with Google Cloud Platform infrastructure, jumped about 48%, the fastest growth since 2021. Microsoft said last week that revenue from Azure and other cloud services expanded 39%.During the fourth quarter, AWS introduced Nova Forge, which provides access to Amazon generative AI models during the training stage for advanced customization, and announced a $38 billion spending commitment from OpenAI. The major cloud providers have all been rushing to offer more AI infrastructure to model builders such as Anthropic and OpenAI. AWS CEO Matt Garman said on Tuesday that AWS added almost 4 gigawatts of computing capacity in 2025. "Just for perspective, that's twice what we had 2022, when we were an $80 billion annual run rate business," Amazon's CEO, Andy Jassy, said on a conference call with analysts. "We expect to double it again by the end of '27."Last week Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the software company brought almost a gigawatt online through the fourth quarter.Amazon foresees $200 billion in 2026 capital expenditures, mainly in AWS, Jassy said. The sum was far above Visible Alpha's $148.86 billion consensus."Some of it is for our core workloads, which are non-AI workloads, because they're growing at a faster rate than we anticipated," Jassy said. "But most of it is in AI, and we just have a lot of growth, a lot of demand."WATCH: AWS in focus for Amazon earnings watch nowVIDEO1:0601:06AWS in focus for Amazon earningsClosing Bell: Overtime

The low-priced furniture store is debuting on the stock market as it plans to more than double its store count. View More

In this articleFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT CEO Bill Barton of Bob’s Discount Furniture rings the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 5, 2026. NYSE Shares of Bob's Discount Furniture barely budged on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday after the company priced its initial public offering at $17 per share.That price was within Bob's expected range of $17 to $19 per share and valued the company at about $2.22 billion. The stock, trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol BOBS, closed the day at $17.02, roughly flat. The Manchester, Connecticut-based company, which was founded in 1991, has grown to 206 showrooms across 26 states, as of Sept. 28, according to its S-1 filing. It plans to more than double that store count to over 500 locations by 2035, the filing said.In an interview with CNBC, CEO Bill Barton said that even in a slow housing market and during a time when consumers have hesitated to splurge on some big-ticket items, Bob's has seen demand for buying furniture across all incomes. "People still need furniture, but in challenging times they are often looking for good value and we are the value leader," he said.Many of its customers are motivated by life changes, such as setting up a new apartment, buying a home, having a child or downsizing for retirement, he said.Barton said Bob's has seen more significant customer gains among higher-income households in recent years. About 27% of its customers have an annual household income of more than $150,000, and that part of the customer base is growing the fastest. He said that group is up by about 3% as a share of Bob's shoppers in the past two years.About half of its customers have an annual household income of more than $100,000, he said.Bob's is known for selling lower-priced couches, rugs, dining room tables and other furniture. It has an average order value of about $1,400 per transaction, excluding sales at its outlets, according to its S-1 filing. The retailer estimates its prices are on average about 10% lower than its value-focused furniture competitors' lowest promoted prices or about 20% to 25% below their listed prices.To keep prices low, the company said it relies on a "curated merchandising strategy, longstanding sourcing relationships and efficient supply chain," according to the filing. It carries roughly one-third fewer items than value-oriented competitors, but orders in larger quantities, the filing said.It's also tried to stand apart from other furniture retailers with quicker deliveries. Instead of customers waiting for weeks or months, most purchases can be delivered in as few as three days, the company said in the filing. With its new locations, Bob's plans to add to both existing and new markets, Chief Financial Officer Carl Lukach told CNBC. It plans to open stores in regions where it already has high density, such as in the Midwest and the New England area, but also expand to new states this year, including South Carolina and Tennessee. Initial public offerings in the U.S. are expected to gain momentum this year, as waning inflation and interest rate cuts are expected to nudge late-stage private companies off the sidelines, according to a report by consulting firm PwC. They'll build on a decent past year for IPOs, too. Traditional IPOs raised $33.6 billion in 2025, which represented the best year since 2021.This year, IPO activity may be led by artificial intelligence infrastructure, insurance and specialty risk companies, and AI-enabled software platforms, according to PwC. Industrials and manufacturing, including reshoring, aerospace and defense, and energy or grid-related infrastructure have gotten higher interest, too.One of the widely anticipated IPOs this year is of Elon Musk's company SpaceX. News of the potential IPO broke in December and Musk called reports about the planned offering "accurate."

Hims said it would sell a copy of the newly launched weight loss pill for $49, far less than the $149 Novo sells the branded pill for. View More

In this articleHIMSNVOLLYFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT The logo of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is displayed in front of its offices in Bagsvaerd, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb. 4, 2026.Tom Little | Reuters Novo Nordisk said Thursday it will take legal action against Hims & Hers after the telehealth provider announced it would launch a cheaper copycat version of Novo's Wegovy weight loss pill."The action by Hims & Hers is illegal mass compounding that poses a significant risk to patient safety," Novo said in a statement. "Novo Nordisk will take legal and regulatory action to protect patients, our intellectual property and the integrity of the US gold-standard drug approval framework. "This is another example of Hims & Hers' historic behaviour of duping the American public with knock-off GLP-1 products, and the FDA has previously warned them about their deceptive advertising of GLP-1 knock-offs," the statement said. Shares of Novo Nordisk as well as rival Eli Lilly each fell roughly 7% after Hims announced the cheaper Wegovy copy for $49, far less than the $149 Novo sells the branded pill for. Hims stock initially spiked on the announcement, but pared gains after Novo said it would fight the rollout. Novo launched its Wegovy pill in the U.S. in early January, and CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC on Wednesday that 170,000 people were already taking the medication. Hims & Hers had previously been offering compounded semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, in an injectable format, and is now extending the offering to include the oral version. Hims said the Wegovy pill copy would cost $49 for the first month and $99 thereafter with a 5-month plan.Semaglutide's patent is protected in the U.S. until 2032, but Hims says its copies are "personalized," and therefore legal."This compounded product uses a different formulation and delivery system than FDA-approved oral semaglutide," Hims said."This once-a-day pill has the same active ingredient as Wegovy and empowers providers to tailor treatment plans specifically for those who prefer to avoid needles or need smaller doses to help to balance side-effects," it said. Novo highlighted that it manufactures its Wegovy pill using so-called SNAC technology, which facilitates absorption when administered orally. It's not clear exactly how Hims' copy formula could match the level of absorption.As recently as last year, Novo and Hims partnered to offer discounted weight loss jabs to the telehealth company's customers. Novo, however, ended the collaboration just two months later and said Hims used "deceptive" marketing that put patient safety at risk.Lilly doesn't yet have an oral GLP-1 option on the market but is expected to launch a rival pill, orforglipron, in the first half of this year, pending Food and Drug Administration approval."With the ... current legal backdrop, there is no reason why HIMS shouldn't evaluate these launches for every subsequent weight loss product as the market continues to evolve," Leerink analyst Michael Cherny said in a note to clients. Eli Lilly didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Mounting challenges Thursday's news from Hims adds to the pressure Novo has been facing over the past year. In 2025, the stock fell nearly 50% in its worst year ever as investors lost confidence in the Danish drugmaker's ability to keep sales growing amid ever-increasing competition. Shares are down another 15% year to date. Stock Chart IconStock chart iconNovo Nordisk shares have trailed Eli Lilly stock over the past year. Hims' announcement comes days after Novo forecast sales and profits declining between 5% and 13% in 2026, mainly due to pricing pressures in the U.S. and loss of exclusivity for semaglutide in certain markets outside of the U.S., like Canada and China, this year.In contrast, Lilly sees sales growing by about 25% this year.Doustdar explained Novo's worse-than-expected outlook as an indication that things will get worse before they get better. "We are creating affordability for the patients, millions of patients that are right now in need of GLP-1 products but simply could not afford it. To do that short term, you have to take a headwind. But of course, there's a very long tail wind for years to come," he told CNBC. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent left the door open to suing Kevin Warsh as Fed chair in testimony to the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. View More

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (L), and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Feb. 5th, 2026.Getty Images | Reuters Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday refused to rule out the possibility of a criminal investigation of Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve chair, if Warsh ends up refusing to cut interest rates.Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, questioned Bessent about a joke Trump made over the weekend about suing Warsh if he does not reduce rates to the president's liking, according to The Wall Street Journal. "I think it was a joke, but just in case, this should be an easy one, Mr. Secretary: can you commit right here and now that Trump's Fed nominee Kevin Warsh will not be sued, will not be investigated by the Department of Justice if he doesn't cut interest rates exactly the way that Donald Trump wants?" Warren asked. "That is up to the president," Bessent said, as the questioning devolved into cross talk.U.S. presidents typically leave interest rate decisions up to the Fed, with a metaphorical firewall between the independent board and the White House. watch nowVIDEO4:4604:46Bessent declines to say Trump DOJ won't sue Warsh over interest rates: 'That is up to the president'Squawk on the Street Bessent's testimony before the Senate committee was his second appearance on Capitol Hill in as many days. On Wednesday, he was grilled by Democrats during a contentious hearing of the House Financial Services Committee. Democrats there pressed Bessent on tariffs and inflation, regulation of cryptocurrencies, and the independence of the Federal Reserve, a hot-button issue. Read more CNBC politics coverageTrump admin to withdraw 700 federal officers from Minnesota: HomanFed pick: Tillis doubles down on Warsh blockade over Fed independenceTrump: If states can't run elections 'honestly,' then 'somebody else should take over'Trump signs bill ending federal government shutdown Trump in recent months has targeted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over his refusal to lower interest rates to the president's liking. Powell on Jan. 11 revealed he was the subject of an unprecedented investigation by the Department of Justice relating to cost overruns on the renovation of the Federal Reserve headquarters. Trump critics have characterized the investigation, which is based in part on testimony Powell gave to the Senate banking committee last year, as a thinly veiled attempt to strong arm the independent central bank.Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., said this week he does not believe Powell committed a crime in his testimony. And Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., a member of the committee, has vowed to block the nomination of Warsh, unless the probe into Powell is dropped. Powell's term as chairman ends in May. Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on the investigation earlier this week.Warren and her Democratic colleagues on the committee have also called on Scott to hold up Warsh's nomination until the probes into Powell and Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook -- who is being investigated for alleged mortgage fraud -- are ended."Donald Trump has been trying to take over the Fed for months and months now," Warren said before Thursday's hearing. "He's threatened to fire Jerome Powell. He started a bogus criminal investigation against him. He started a bogus investigation trying to fire Lisa Cook, and now he wants to appoint his man who's going to do exactly what he says at the Fed.""That's a takeover," Warren continued.

Medicare Advantage open enrollment is available for enrollees from now through March 31. What experts say you should know about your options. View More

Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Consumers enrolled in Medicare Advantage health insurance are in the middle of a short annual window when they can reassess their coverage options — and experts say it's smart to do so this year as both the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and private insurers consider changes. CMS announced in late January new proposed policies for Medicare Advantage and Part D that are aimed at ensuring payments to insurers are accurate, according to the agency. It also proposed new Medicare Advantage payment rates that would be mostly flat — up just 0.9% from 2026 to 2027, representing $700 million in payments to plans.The government's payment rate determines how much insurers can charge enrollees for premiums and plan benefits.Stocks of large health care companies tumbled on the announcement. Analysts were expecting a 4% to 6% increase, and insurers have said that the proposed rates may prompt benefit cuts or plan closures.In 2025, more than half — 54% — of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy, research, polling and news organization. About 34.1 million beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage, versus 62.8 million enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, according to KFF. Read more CNBC personal finance coverageSome older Americans are 'unretiring' to keep up with cost of living: AARP surveyBitcoin sells off amid 'crypto winter.' What investors need to knowIt's Medicare Advantage open enrollment: What to know about switching plansSuper Bowl ad featuring Trump accounts to air on Sunday — here's a first lookWorkers with student loan debt have less saved for retirement, Fidelity findsMillions may drop ACA coverage — and raise health insurance costs for everyone elseRetirement savings 'lost and found' helps retirees track down old 401(k)sBigger SALT cap may 'drive higher refunds,' tax expert says — who benefitsWhat new Medicaid, SNAP work requirements mean for older workersTrump accounts could grow to $50,000 or more, president says. Advisors weigh inHousing affordability isn't just hurting buyers: More homeowners are falling behindFlying without a Real ID? You may owe $45 — or more — starting Feb. 1What Trump Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh may mean for consumersAverage tax refunds may be $1,000 higher, White House says. What to expectAs ACA subsidies expire, health costs emerge as top economic worry for votersData breaches hit a new high in 2025. How to protect your personal informationCNBC's Financial Advisor 100: Best financial advisors, top firms ranked UnitedHealthcare CEO Tim Noel said during a Jan. 27 earnings call that the company may lose an estimated 1.3 million to 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members in 2026 because a competitive market is causing more enrollees to shop around."That's going to have a real-world impact at some point, in terms of people who've been dealing with these plans," said Philip Moeller, author of "Get What's Yours for Medicare: Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs."In 2024, UnitedHealthcare or Humana represented the largest Medicare Advantage insurers in more than half of counties, according to 2025 research by KFF.While changes are looming, the Medicare Advantage market for 2026 is "fairly robust," according to Tricia Neuman, executive director of the program on Medicare policy at KFF. "The average beneficiary has a choice of more than 30 Medicare Advantage plans, and virtually all plans offer extra benefits, such as vision, hearing and dental," Neuman said via email. Medicare Advantage open enrollment Medicare Advantage plans, otherwise known as Part C, are provided by private insurance companies and typically cover the same areas as original government-run Medicare Part A and B plans, and possibly Part D prescription coverage.Medicare Advantage open enrollment is available for enrollees through March 31. During this time, current Medicare Advantage enrollees may switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or drop Medicare Advantage coverage and return to original Medicare — which typically includes Medicare Parts A and B hospital and medical insurance, as well as elective Part D prescription drug coverage."I urge people to spend some time researching, if they have Medicare Advantage," said Moeller. watch nowVIDEO7:2307:23Former FDA Commissioner Dr. McClellan on scrutiny facing Medicare Advantage plansSquawk Box Medicare Advantage plans may have features that help attract enrollees. Some plans offer zero premiums, according to Moeller. Others provide supplemental benefits — such as dental, hearing and vision — that government-provided Medicare plans typically do not, he said."For people who have modest medical needs, Medicare Advantage can make good sense," Moeller said. What to know before switching to original Medicare Medicare Advantage plans can come with higher costs if you have a serious illness."People love Medicare Advantage when they're well, because it's cheaper for them," said Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner at Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Fla."But as soon as they get a serious illness, they have to go through all this preauthorization and get turned down and challenge it," she said.Medicare Advantage plans also often require patients to stay in network, rather than see their preferred doctor, said McClanahan, who is also a member of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council. The current open enrollment period allows Medicare Advantage enrollees to switch to Medicare original. However, experts say prospective Medicare original enrollees need to be wary of potentially high out-of-pocket costs for Medigap private insurance plans, which are often needed to cover extra costs like copays, coinsurance or deductibles. "People need to do their homework and see that they're going to have a decent place to land," Moeller said. "I would personally not have original Medicare without a [supplemental] plan. There's just too much exposure."Most states require Medicare Advantage enrollees who want to switch to original Medicare to go through an underwriting process to be covered by Medigap. "If you're already sick, you're not going to pass underwriting," McClanahan said.Just four states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York — allow for individuals to switch to a Medigap plan without underwriting, McClanahan said.

A commercial for Trump accounts will air right before the Seattle Seahawks face off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. View More

President Donald Trump onstage at the Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit, in Washington, Jan. 28, 2026.Kevin Lamarque | Reuters Trump accounts will share in the Super Bowl spotlight on Sunday as part of a massive push to spread awareness about the pilot program. The Trump account commercial — paid for by Invest America, a nonprofit advocacy group — is set to air during the pregame broadcast, right before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Invest America posted a preview of the ad on X on Thursday. In a 30-second spot, children speak about the virtues of so-called Trump accounts, also known as 530A accounts, which were created as part of President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill.""This year, every American child gets an investment account. And millions will be prefunded. That's free money," a montage of children speaking directly to the camera say in the ad.Super Bowl 60, which will air on NBC, is prime real estate for advertisers. Millions of Americans tune in to the Super Bowl — some just for the commercials. Each year, the price of those national spots breaks a record. After last year's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs was watched by a record 127.7 million viewers, the cost of ads this year went up to $8 million per 30-second commercial, on average, CNBC previously reported. watch nowVIDEO5:2005:20How the NFL makes money from the Super BowlCNBC Sport Along with a billboard in New York's Times Square and a Trump Account Summit, which was livestreamed from Washington on Jan. 28, the Trump administration has pulled out all the stops to get the word out in recent weeks about the new accounts. Parents can now open a Trump account As of the official start of tax season on Jan. 26, parents and guardians can open a Trump account by making elections on IRS Form 4547 when they file their 2025 tax return. Starting in mid-2026, an account can also be opened online at Trumpaccounts.gov. Children born between 2025 and 2028 are eligible for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. That money will be deposited into the account on July 4. More than 1 million families have already signed up, according to a Jan. 31 post by the White House on X. Read more CNBC personal finance coverageSome older Americans are 'unretiring' to keep up with cost of living: AARP surveyBitcoin sells off amid 'crypto winter.' What investors need to knowIt's Medicare Advantage open enrollment: What to know about switching plansSuper Bowl ad featuring Trump accounts to air on Sunday — here's a first lookWorkers with student loan debt have less saved for retirement, Fidelity findsMillions may drop ACA coverage — and raise health insurance costs for everyone elseRetirement savings 'lost and found' helps retirees track down old 401(k)sBigger SALT cap may 'drive higher refunds,' tax expert says — who benefitsWhat new Medicaid, SNAP work requirements mean for older workersTrump accounts could grow to $50,000 or more, president says. Advisors weigh inHousing affordability isn't just hurting buyers: More homeowners are falling behindFlying without a Real ID? You may owe $45 — or more — starting Feb. 1What Trump Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh may mean for consumersAverage tax refunds may be $1,000 higher, White House says. What to expectAs ACA subsidies expire, health costs emerge as top economic worry for votersData breaches hit a new high in 2025. How to protect your personal informationCNBC's Financial Advisor 100: Best financial advisors, top firms ranked Once a Trump account is established, there could be other "free money" for those who are eligible. Depending on a child's age and household income, they may qualify for a $250 grant from Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan, who pledged $6.25 billion to help fund the savings accounts for children. That money is aimed toward lower-income families, based on their ZIP code.A growing number of companies have also pledged to match the Treasury's $1,000 seed money for children of employees, and philanthropists in multiple states have committed to additional gifts for certain qualifying families. Even rap artist Nicki Minaj said she would contribute to the new accounts to benefit her fans. 'A long-term investment in the beneficiary' Musician Nicki Minaj joins President Donald Trump on stage as he delivers remarks during the Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, Jan. 28, 2026.Win McNamee | Getty Images Trump accounts are meant to encourage long-term investing and wealth building. The money will be invested in a diversified fund that tracks a U.S.-stock index."It is meant as a long-term investment in the beneficiary, which means the money is 'locked' there until the beneficiary turns 18," said Jason Ewas, associate director at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, a nonprofit forum. "This makes sense since the goal is growth of the accounts and wealth building," he said. "But it means that nobody should view this as a place to access emergency funds, because it is not."Trumpaccounts.gov projects that the initial $1,000 Treasury deposit alone could grow to $6,000 by age 18, $15,000 by age 27 or $243,000 by age 55. This estimate is based on the S&P 500 historical annual average return of over 10%.If parents make maximum yearly contributions, the projected value could grow to nearly $1.1 million by age 28, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Jan. 28 at the Trump Accounts Summit. However, financial advisors and other experts say these projections may be overstated. "Saving the maximum contribution into their children's Trump accounts would be a very heavy lift for most families," said certified financial planner Landon Warmund with Reliant Financial Services in Kansas City, Missouri."While the numbers look considerable, I think we will find that most accounts won't come close to these values," said Warmund, who is also a member of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council.Still, many financial advisors recommend families accept the "free money" from the Treasury, employers or other sources. "They should access those resources," Ewas said.

Trump appears in the Epstein files in a strangely spectral way. His name is everywhere, but his voice is nowhere. He shows up in third-party emails, in interview notes, in calendars, in contact lists, and in messages where other people discuss him as a destination, a favour, or a point of access. View More