Total annuity sales reached $121.2 billion in the third quarter, setting a fresh record and surpassing the $100-billion mark for the eighth straight quarter, according to LIMRA. Annuity sales reached $347 billion on a year-to-date basis, marking the highest tally ever in a nine-month period. LIMRA's Bryan Hodgens noted that traditional variable annuities and registered index-linked annuities contributed to the growth.

Fidelity reports that more than half of investors who needed to take a required minimum distribution from a retirement account had not done so as of the end of November. In addition, the company noted that 29% of outstanding RMDs involved inherited IRAs. However, the data does not account for potential RMDs taken from accounts held at other companies.

The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index dropped to a reading of 98.3 in September, with the drop coming after a similar 0.3% decline in August. The board cited weakening consumer and business expectations.

Investors are keeping a close eye on the state of equity markets and the impact of AI-related enthusiasm. The S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio is now around 27, above the average of around 22 during the past 10 years.

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The Federal Reserve headed into this week's policy meeting facing an unusual degree of division, with some economists predicting that three members could vote against a rate cut. However, many economists are predicting that the Fed will ultimately lower rates by a quarter point while signaling that it could take a more cautious approach going forward.

FINRA has issued its 2026 Regulatory Oversight Report, highlighting issues including the potential for AI hallucinations to cause problems. The report notes that the most common use of AI is currently "summarization and information extraction." "The risks firms face are constantly evolving -- from the expanding use of artificial intelligence tools to growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and complex fraud schemes targeting investors," said FINRA's Greg Ruppert.

Being overly conservative in your investment approach raises its own set of risks, writes Kiplinger's Donna Fuscaldo. Holding too much cash means you will miss out on potential market returns, and inflation can eat away at the value of an overly conservative portfolio.

Student loan borrowers participating in the Biden-era Saving on a Valuable Education plan will need to switch to a new repayment option under a proposed settlement announced by the Trump administration. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the SAVE plan in February.