The latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

0806 GMT – Lombard Odier says it no longer prefers Chinese tech companies over their U.S. peers, as their relative growth and valuation appeal has narrowed. China has emerged as the sole credible challenger to the U.S. in the race for artificial-intelligence leadership. However, fading tailwinds from China’s consumer goods trade-in subsidies, rising AI-related investment and higher memory prices have contributed to renewed earnings disappointments and downgrades for Chinese tech companies following fourth-quarter results, Lombard Odier’s equity strategists say in a report. This is damping the near-term cyclical backdrop for Chinese tech companies, they say. However, the structural earnings outlook for Chinese tech companies remains compelling, with attractive valuations providing a buffer against potential earnings disappointments, they add. (monica.gupta@wsj.com)

Americans are facing mounting financial pressure, but even small changes to everyday habits could make a major impact on long-term wealth, one expert says.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans failed to meet their savings and spending goals last year, according to a Vanguard consumer survey — highlighting nationwide financial pressure.

Many households are dealing with broader cost pressures. The Federal Reserve said in its latest Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking that inflation and prices remained a top financial concern, while overall financial well-being stayed below the recent high reached in 2021.

People in their 30s and 40s are also falling into costly traps, including failing to build emergency savings, delaying investing and taking on too much debt, fintech entrepreneur and financial expert Ksenia Yudina told FOX Business.

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Here are five financial mistakes she says Americans should avoid:

Not investing early enough

More than 40% of Americans say they wouldn’t be able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense with their savings. (iStock / iStock)

In 2025, 62% of Americans said they owned stocks, according to Gallup.

“Many people in their 30-40s keep their savings in cash, missing out on the power of compounding,” Yudina said. “Time is the most valuable asset you have in investing, and delaying even a few years is one of the most expensive financial mistakes you can make.”

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Not prioritizing retirement savings

As of September 2025, 48% of Americans in their 40s and 44% of those in their 50s say they lack confidence that their savings will last through retirement or believe they may not be able to retire at all, according to the Pew Research Center.

“It’s easy to focus on short-term needs, but retirement requires decades of planning,” Yudina said. “Missing out on employer matches or delaying contributions can have a long-term impact that’s hard to recover from later. The math is unforgiving: if you don’t start in your 30s and stay consistent, there’s no catch-up strategy that fully compensates for lost time.”

Taking on too much debt

Total U.S. household debt rose by $191 billion, reaching $18.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (iStock / iStock)

Total U.S. household debt rose by $191 billion, reaching $18.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“Debt has become so normalized that young adults stop questioning it. Whether it’s credit cards, lifestyle inflation, or overextending on big purchases with buy-now-pay-later, excessive debt quietly eats away at your ability to build real wealth,” Yudina said.

Not having an emergency fund

More than 40% of Americans say they wouldn’t be able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense with their savings, while roughly one-third report they lack enough savings to cover even one month of living costs, according to a U.S. News survey conducted Jan. 16–20, 2026.

“Unexpected expenses are inevitable,” Yudina said. “In today’s environment, with ongoing layoffs and economic uncertainty, this risk is even more pronounced. 

“Without a financial cushion, young professionals are forced to rely on high-interest debt or withdraw from investments at the worst possible time. Having a steady income may feel like security, but without an emergency fund, it’s fragile. One unexpected event can unravel years of financial progress.”

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Not planning for their children’s education early

American families spent an average of $30,837 on college last year, a 9% increase from $28,409 the year before, according to Sallie Mae. (iStock / iStock)

American families spent an average of $30,837 on college last year, a 9% increase from $28,409 the year before, according to Sallie Mae.

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“Many parents assume they’ll deal with college when the time comes. But education is one of the largest financial obligations families face,” Yudina said. “College costs continue to rise, and many families underestimate how much time matters. The earlier you start, the less painful it becomes.”

LOS ANGELES — A 2017 ABC7 Eyewitness News interview featuring Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old Torrance man accused of charging a security checkpoint and firing shots outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, has resurfaced, showing the suspect as a promising Caltech engineering student presenting an innovative wheelchair safety device.

The clip, aired Monday on ABC7 and rapidly circulating on social media, captures a much younger Allen at an aging conference where he demonstrated a new braking system designed to make wheelchairs safer. The video provides a stark contrast to the image of the man now in federal custody, charged with attempted assassination after the chaotic April 25 incident at the Washington Hilton.

In the 2017 segment, Allen appears articulate and focused on humanitarian engineering solutions. “The idea with this is to prevent it from moving at all,” he explains while demonstrating the prototype. Neighbors and former colleagues described him as quiet, intelligent and from a solid family — his parents are school teachers — making the allegations even more shocking to those who knew him.

Profile of the Accused

According to authorities and public records, Allen is a Caltech mechanical engineering graduate (class of 2017) who later earned a master’s in computer science from Cal State Dominguez Hills. He worked as a college prep tutor and described himself online as an indie game developer. One of his projects, “Boredom,” was tagged on Steam as a “skill-based non-violent fighting game” with elements of bullet hell and shooter mechanics.

Investigators say Allen sent a message to family members before the incident describing himself as a “friendly federal assassin” and appeared to target Trump administration officials. He legally purchased the weapons in California and kept them at his parents’ home without their knowledge, according to his sister’s statements to authorities.

His brother reportedly contacted police in Connecticut two hours after the shooting upon seeing the message. Allen was arrested at the scene after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement. One Secret Service agent was struck but uninjured due to a bulletproof vest.

Community Shock in Torrance

Neighbors in the quiet Torrance neighborhood expressed disbelief Monday. “His parents are good people. They don’t deserve this,” one resident told ABC7. Another said the family was “solid members of the community.” Allen reportedly still lived at his parents’ home.

His employer, C2 Education, issued a statement saying they were “shocked” and are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Allen had been named “teacher of the month” as recently as December 2024.

Ongoing Investigation

Federal prosecutors are building a case that includes attempted assassination and assault on federal officers. Allen faces multiple serious charges. Investigators continue examining his digital footprint, writings and possible motives tied to political grievances.

The resurfaced 2017 interview has fueled intense online discussion, with many noting the jarring difference between the promising young engineer and the man now accused of a high-profile attack. Some commentators pointed to broader societal questions about mental health, radicalization and the pressures facing highly educated but underemployed young adults.

Broader Context

The incident marks the third documented security threat against President Donald Trump since 2024. It occurred at the same Washington Hilton where President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was abruptly halted, and the event is expected to be rescheduled with enhanced security.

This latest development adds another layer to the already intense national conversation about political violence, gun access and the profile of individuals who commit such acts. Allen’s background as a well-educated, seemingly non-violent individual challenges common stereotypes and has prompted renewed debate about prevention and early intervention.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward. The 2017 video serves as a haunting reminder of how quickly lives can change and how little the public often knows about individuals until tragedy strikes.

For the victims, law enforcement and the nation still processing this latest act of violence at a major Washington event, the focus remains on justice, healing and preventing future incidents.