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Survey: 44% of Americans believe their finances will improve in 2025, an increase from previous years

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Survey: 44% of Americans believe their finances will improve in 2025, an increase from previous years

More Americans are expressing optimism about their finances as pandemic-era price hikes and the “vibecession” increasingly fade away.

Bankrate’s latest Financial Outlook Survey finds that 44 percent of Americans think their finances will improve in 2024. This compares with 37 percent who said in a 2023 survey that they expected their finances to improve in 2024. Previously, 34 percent said the same in 2022 (regarding their finances in 2023) and 21 percent said the same in 2021 (regarding their finances in 2022).

There’s at least one clear reason for the optimism: Fewer Americans think inflation will impact them. Among those who are optimistic about their finances next year, 36 percent say they feel that way because of lower levels of inflation, which is up 17 percentage points from a similar survey Bankrate ran in 2023. Among those who think their finances won’t improve, 44 percent blamed continued high inflation. That’s down from 61 percent in 2023.

Inflation has been steadily trending toward the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent after hitting a 41-year record high in 2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index (CPI) report, inflation in November came in at 2.7 percent, up slightly from the prior month and in line with economists’ expectations.

More Americans appear to be optimistic about their finances this year as they look ahead to 2025, according to the survey. Nearly half (44 percent) said they expect their finances will improve next year, which is up from 37 percent who said the same in a 2023 survey (regarding their finances 2024) and 34 percent who said so in a 2022 survey (regarding their finances in 2023).

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Roughly 1 in 3 Americans (33 percent) think their finances will stay about the same and 23 percent think they’ll get worse, including 10 percent who think they’ll get significantly worse. Combined, that means 56 percent don’t expect their financial situation to improve next year.

Source: Bankrate survey, Nov. 6-8, 2024

Across generations, those who expect their finances to get better next year include:

  • 55 percent of Gen Z (ages 18-27)

  • 49 percent of millennials (ages 28-43)

  • 38 percent of Gen X (ages 44-59)

  • 37 percent of baby boomers (ages 60-78)

Those who think they will get worse include:

Every week, Bankrate publishes proprietary surveys, studies and rate data, providing the latest data-driven insights on the state of Americans’ personal finances — including credit card debt, homeownership, insurance, retirement and beyond.

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Even though inflation is tamer now compared to the last two years, the pain of rising prices hasn’t completely subsided. The prices of goods and services are still rising — just not as quickly as before. Inflation continues to show up in Americans’ daily lives, from groceries to car insurance to rent, and wages are still playing catch-up. According to Bankrate’s Wage to Inflation Index, wages aren’t projected to fully recover from inflation until the second quarter of 2025.

Forty-four percent of those who think their financial situation will not improve next year blame continued high inflation. That compares to 61 percent who cited it a year ago. Other top reasons why Americans think their finances will not improve include work done by elected officials (30 percent), stagnant or reduced income (28 percent) and the amount of debt they have (20 percent).

Source: Bankrate survey, Nov. 6-8, 2024
Note: Percentages are of U.S. adults who think their personal financial situations will not improve in 2025.

On a more optimistic end of the spectrum, for those who think their financial situation will improve next year, 36 percent cite lower levels of inflation as a reason. Other popular reasons are rising income from employment, Social Security, a pension, etc. (35 percent); having less debt (30 percent); and better spending habits (25 percent).

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Source: Bankrate survey, Nov. 6-8, 2024
Note: Percentages are of U.S. adults who think their personal financial situations will get better in 2025.

Additionally, 25 percent who believe their finances will get better in 2025 give credit to work done by elected officials. Following the election, our survey shows that many Americans view elected officials as either hindering potential financial progress or as a catalyst for improvement. While this shows a continuing political division, Hamrick suggests identifying financial goals and working toward them, regardless of political beliefs.

“Political cycles come and go, but the need to attend to our financial well-being remains,” he says.

The most common main financial goal cited by Americans for 2025 is paying down debt (21 percent), and that percentage tends to rise with age. Generationally, that breaks down to:

Carrying credit card debt is costly, but it’s become more common over the last few months. As of June 2024, at least half of Americans carry a credit card balance from month to month, according to Bankrate’s Credit Card Debt Survey. That’s up from 44 percent in January 2024, and the highest percentage since March 2020 (60 percent).

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“Average credit card interest rates top 20 percent (still close to a record high),” Hamrick says. “Targeting high-cost debt can provide an immediate benefit.”

Source: Bankrate survey, Nov. 6-8, 2024
*(e.g., vacation, home renovation, big ticket item, etc.)

Saving more for emergencies is the second most common main financial goal among Americans (12 percent), followed by getting a higher-paying job or an additional source of income (11 percent) and budgeting spending better (10 percent).

Roughly 1 in 10 Americans (11 percent) say they have no financial goals for 2025. Baby boomers are the most likely generation to say they have no financial goals for the next year:

  • Gen Z: 6 percent

  • Millennials: 10 percent

  • Gen X: 9 percent

  • Baby boomers: 16 percent

Of those who identified a financial goal for 2025, 43 percent say that it’s a New Year’s resolution they’ll address immediately.

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Thirty-five percent say it’s a medium-term issue, meaning they’ll address it once they’ve had some time to think and plan. Thirteen percent called their main financial goal a long-term issue and will address it after they’ve had an extended period to do research or find advice.

One in 10 Americans (10 percent) said they don’t know how they’ll address their main financial goal in the coming year.

Source: Bankrate survey, Nov. 6-8, 2024
Note: Percentages are of U.S. adults who have a financial goal in 2025.

Over the last few years, there has been a disconnect between how well the economy is doing and how people feel about their financial standing. The economy has managed to avoid a recession for a few years, inflation has been tamed, interest rates have fallen and the job market continues chugging along. Yet the positive economic data hasn’t aligned with Americans’ perceptions of the economy.

Bankrate’s new Financial Outlook survey shows a possible shift in that narrative. Americans may be warming up to the idea that the economy — and everything related to their finances — will hold up better in 2025.

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Regardless of what’s anticipated, financial experts recommend “future-proofing” your finances, and the New Year is a great opportunity to get ahead. To make progress in 2025, especially following the holidays, take the time to get a comprehensive understanding of where your current finances stand, set new financial goals and put together a financial plan. Hamrick recommends regularly checking in on your finances and goals to make sure you’re staying the course.

“It is one thing to have a financial goal, it’s another to act upon it,” Hamrick says. “Once past the new year, consider scheduling monthly or quarterly check-ins to assess your progress. Tiny changes can lead to big results, particularly with money.”

Finance

What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill

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What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill
Source: Getty Images

Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada

Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.

That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.

Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.

AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders

AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.

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Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.

One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.

In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.

AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.

TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant

Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.

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Following a 70% jump over the last year, TD stock currently trades at $148.14 per share and carries a massive market cap of $247 billion. It’s also continuing to provide investors with a quarterly dividend yield of 3%.

TD’s latest results show why it remains a dependable dividend stock. In the February 2026 quarter, the bank’s reported net income jumped 45% YoY to $4 billion, while adjusted earnings rose 16% to a record $4.2 billion.

Similarly, the bank’s Canadian personal and commercial banking segment delivered record revenue and earnings with the help of higher loan and deposit volumes. Meanwhile, its wealth management and insurance business also posted record earnings, while wholesale banking benefited from strong trading and fee income growth.

Notably, TD ended the quarter with a strong Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 14.5%, giving it a solid capital cushion. While the bank continues to spend on U.S. anti-money-laundering remediation and control improvements, its strong earnings base, large customer network, and diversified operations continue to support its dividends.

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The post What is Considered a Good Dividend Stock? 2 Financial Stocks That Fit the Bill appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Jitendra Parashar has positions in Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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UK watchdog says car finance legal challenge hearing unlikely before October

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UK watchdog says car finance legal challenge hearing unlikely before October
Britain’s financial watchdog said on Friday a tribunal hearing on ‌legal challenges to its compensation scheme for mis-sold car loans was unlikely before October, and told lenders to prepare for a possibility that the scheme could be scrapped entirely.
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Martha Aguirre, former El Paso ISD interim superintendent, resigns as CFO as district finds ‘key financial challenges’

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Martha Aguirre, former El Paso ISD interim superintendent, resigns as CFO as district finds ‘key financial challenges’

El Paso Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre, who served as interim superintendent last year, resigned this week as the district said it had discovered “key financial challenges.”

The district issued a news release late Thursday afternoon that lacked details but indicated that a recent review had raised questions about the district’s fund balances, a key indicator of financial health.

“Through this process, key financial challenges were identified that must be addressed prior to closing out the 2025-26 school year including a current budget shortfall that is being actively addressed ahead of the district’s final financial presentation to the Board of Trustees in June,” the news release said. 

A CFO is charged with developing a school district’s budget and overseeing its finance department. The EPISD Board of Trustees must adopt a budget for the 2026-27 school year by the end of the fiscal year June 30. The operating budget for the current school year is $547 million.

EPISD Deputy Superintendent David Bates will oversee the budget while the district searches for an interim and permanent CFO, district officials said in a statement. 

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EPISD Board President Leah Hanany said trustees were notified about Aguirre’s resignation this week. She said the district plans to give the public more information on the current year’s budget during a board meeting later this month.

“The board was also notified of a potential budget shortfall for the 2025 budget, but we don’t have final numbers yet. My understanding is that we are still primed to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in June,” Hanany said in a statement.

Aguirre could not be reached for comment. EPISD’s CFO makes $148,200 to $209,900 a year, according to the district’s administrative pay plan.

She served as EPISD’s interim superintendent from June to December 2025 after the district’s former superintendent, Diana Sayavedra, resigned under pressure from the board. She returned to her position as CFO when Brian Lusk was hired as EPISD’s new permanent superintendent.

Aguirre’s resignation comes amid an uncertain budget season after a state funding calculation error tied to school property tax breaks caused EPISD to lose out on $17 million in projected revenue. In late April, EPISD officials estimated it would cause the district’s spending to exceed its revenue next year by $10 million.

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The district is also considering calling for a bond election in November to upgrade its aging campuses as part of the larger 2024 Destination District Redesign initiative to close schools and improve the ones that remain open.

El Paso Teachers’ Association President Norma De La Rosa said Aguirre’s departure was unexpected.

“We’re right in the middle of the committee meetings for a possible bond and getting ready to get that budget to the June board meeting for next school year. So, to say that I’m highly surprised is an understatement,” De La Rosa told El Paso Matters.

Aguirre started working with the district in 1996 as a general clerk, according to a video published by the district.


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