There are great expectations for merger and acquisition activity in 2025, full speed ahead.

Automakers Honda and Nissan may be joining forces in a possible merger that would create a $54 billion* company and the third largest automaker group, with a combined 7.4 million vehicles produced annually, behind Toyota and Volkswagen.

With the average monthly car payment for Americans over $450, 29% of drivers say auto payments are one of their biggest expenses and nearly 60% of people are keeping their cars longer to save money, according to Empower research.  

— The Editors 

💰 ETFs are having a moment: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are experiencing a surge in popularity, breaking records with over $1 trillion* in inflow for 2024, while total assets in U.S.-based ETFs grew 30% to $10.6 trillion through November. Bitcoin ETFs have also captured attention, providing a gateway for investors to enter cryptocurrency markets. 

💵 Millennial money magic: Millennials are flipping the wealth script, with their net worth jumping 13.7% in 2024, according to Empower Personal Dashboard^TM data. This is nearly double the national average, fueled by strategic early investments and skyrocketing home equity.

🏦 High hopes for low fees: The roughly 23 million* households who pay overdraft fees can expect to save when a cap by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau goes into effect on October 1, 2025. The rule limits charges to $5 per overdraft. Read more on The Currency^TM.

Dreaming big in real estate

“Cozy” is topping wish lists for some would-be home buyers: According to Zillow’s 2025 Trend Report, the term popped up 35%* more frequently in listings in late 2024 compared to the prior year. Alongside a focus on comfort and character, tech-forward upgrades are gaining traction, with mentions of “electric vehicle chargers” up 34% and “whole home batteries” surging 62%.

November brought good news for the housing market, with pending home sales rising 2.2%* over October, up for the fourth straight month. While the average age of buyers hit an all-time high of age 56* in 2024, Empower findings reveal that Americans aim to purchase a home by age 38.

Meanwhile, anticipated price increases of as much as 4%* by year-end 2025 may have existing homeowners smiling with appreciation: Since 2019, homeowners have gained nearly $150,000, or about $30,000 annually in home equity.

Ready for the C-suite

This year will usher in an executive leadership changing of the guard: With a record 11,200 Americans hitting retirement age daily through 2027, Millennials are projected to surpass Gen Xers as the top generation in C-suite roles* in 2025. Among age groups, Millennials are the most interested in becoming a top executive (39% compared with 31% overall), according to Empower findings.

The workforce will get younger in 2025, with the majority (55%*) of U.S. workers falling under age 45, and 41% of high-tech workers in the 25-39 age range.

Toymakers bank on adults

Toys aren’t just child’s play anymore. “Kidults” — adults over age 18 — are getting in on the fun, and toymakers are seizing the opportunity by tailoring products to appeal to this growing segment of enthusiasts and collectors.

Lego launched an adult-focused category in 2020 featuring 142* sets and counting, including an $850 Millennium Falcon and a $680 replica of the Titanic. Tipping the scales toward adult consumers makes sense for the brick builders: Adults have more spending power and winning them over is fueling the growth of its $10 billion toy market foothold.

Mattel is also playing the game. The 56-year-old Hot Wheels line grossed $1.43 billion in sales for 2023, and it estimates adults drove roughly one-third of the revenue. The toymaker has big aspirations: Last year it ran its first Mattel Revealed virtual event, giving consumers a behind-the scenes look at upcoming products. Some 65,000 fans turned out, blowing past expectations. Read more on The Currency.

Joining the fold

Foldable smartphones are catching on, with prices ranging from $700* for the Motorola Razr to over $2,000. The Wall Street Journal reports* that Apple plans to unveil a new folding device next year. Foldable devices were a niche segment for an estimated 1.5% of the total smartphone market in 2024.