By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market is drifting through mixed trading on Tuesday, while gold and silver bounce back from their latest sell-off.

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The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% and edged further from its all-time high set last week, even though the majority of stocks within the index rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 68 points, or 0.1%, as of 10:10 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% lower.

Several influential Big Tech stocks weighed on the market, including drops of 2.5% for Nvidia and 2.2% for Microsoft.

They fell despite a 6.6% climb for Palantir Technologies, which reported bigger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Its forecast for 61% growth in revenue this year also topped analysts’ expectations, as CEO Alex Karp crowed that his company is unique and that “these numbers prove it.”

The action was stronger, again, in metals markets. Gold’s price climbed 6.2% to $4,939.20 per ounce in its latest swing since its jaw-dropping rally suddenly halted last week.

Silver’s price, which has been whipping though even wilder moves, leaped 14.3%.

Gold and silver prices had been climbing for more than a year as investors looked for safer places to park their cash amid worries about everything from tariffs to a weaker U.S. dollar to heavy debt loads for governments worldwide. Their prices took off in particular last month, and gold’s price at one point had roughly doubled over 12 months.

But those rallies suddenly gave out last week, and gold’s price dropped from close to $5,600 to less than $4,500 on Monday. Silver plunged 31.4% on Friday alone.

Many traders say expectations that President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates high to fight inflation were what turned the momentum initially, though some disagree. Most agree that simple gravity took over afterward.

After gold and silver prices had shot up so much, so quickly, they were bound to fall back at some point, particularly with so many investors piling in to use gold as a way to bet on continued weakness for the U.S. dollar.

“The move underscored how stretched anti-USD positioning had become,” according to volatility strategists at Barclays.

On Wall Street, PayPal dropped 17.5% after reporting weaker results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also named a new CEO after it said “the pace of change and execution” over the last two years “was not in line” with the board of directors’ expectations.

Pfizer fell 3.7% even though it reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The pharmaceutical company gave a forecasted range for profit in 2026 whose midpoint was below analysts’ expectations.

The Walt Disney Co. slipped 1.7% after it said Josh D’Amaro, head of the company’s parks business, will become its next CEO in March.

On the winning side of the market was PepsiCo, which rose 4.7% after the snack and beverage giant’s profit and revenue for the latest quarter nudged past analysts’ expectations. It also said it would cut prices this year on Lay’s, Doritos and other snacks to try and win back inflation-weary customers.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.28% from 4.29% late Monday.

In stock markets abroad, indexes bounced back in Asia from sharp losses the prior day.

South Korea’s Kospi surged 6.8% for its best day since the wild days of the COVID crash and recovery in early 2020. Just a day earlier, it had tumbled 5.3% from its record for its worst day in almost 10 months. The Kospi is home to many tech stocks, including Samsung Electronics, which surged 11.4%.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 3.9%, while stocks rose 1.3% in Shanghai and 0.2% in Hong Kong.

Indexes were weaker in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 fell 0.5%.

AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.

By KATIE WORKMAN

Sometimes a chicken nugget is just a chicken nugget. Sometimes it’s a crisp, panko-crusted strip of chicken breast with a sweet and tangy sauce. This is the latter.

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Super Bowl Sunday is snack time at its finest. No one is looking for fancy footwork (at least not in the food realm; we do want to see that on the field). I have hosted more Super Bowl parties than I can (want to) count, and what I can tell you is that the delicate little canapes aren’t going to fly off the buffet as fast as the nachos.

The best Super Bowl food lives in the same realm as the best bar food. And that includes chicken tenders.

If you tend to think of chicken strips as a guilty, kiddie-centric pleasure, give yourself permission to relax and enjoy them. They’re basically fried chicken sans bone.

But these chicken strips bake on a wire rack for maximum crispiness without frying. A little olive oil in the panko makes all the difference. For a spicy kick, add Sriracha to the egg wash.

Now the sauce, simple but game-changing: Melt apricot or orange preserves, stir in Dijon mustard and fresh thyme, and dip away. It’s sweet, tangy and herbaceous, perfect for dunking each golden strip.

Bake, sauce, serve. The platter disappears fast, so consider making a double batch for a larger crowd. Easy enough for a weeknight, special enough for the big game, and guaranteed to impress both kids and adults.

Crispy Chicken Strips with Apricot Mustard Dipping Sauce

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce, or to taste
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into 1-inch thick strips (or use chicken tenders)
1 cup apricot or orange preserves
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a wire cooling rack into a rimmed baking sheet.

2. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Whisk together the eggs and Sriracha in a second shallow bowl. Combine the Panko and olive oil in a third bowl.

3. Working in small batches, toss the chicken strips in the flour, shake off any excess, dip them in the egg mixture, allow extra egg to drip back into the bowl, and roll them in the panko. Shake off any excess, then place the strips at least 1 inch apart on the wire rack. (It’s possible you may need to bake these in two batches.)

4. Bake until the chicken strips are golden brown and cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes.

5. While the chicken is cooking, place the preserves in a small saucepan or skillet. Heat over low heat until melted, stirring occasionally, then stir in the mustard and thyme. Transfer the sauce to a small bowl, transfer the chicken strips to a serving platter and serve hot.

Katie Workman writes regularly about food for The Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at https://themom100.com/. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.

For more AP food stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/recipes

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

NEW YORK (AP) — Once considered an oddity in American homes, bidets are becoming increasingly common as more people seek a hygienic and sustainable alternative to toilet paper or a hand managing certain physical conditions.

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Toilet paper shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic helped demystify the devices for U.S. consumers, although Italy, Japan and some other countries where bidets are standard bathroom features also saw runs on TP. Environmental awareness, less expensive bidet options and the development of smart toilets that perform multiple functions have given further momentum to the idea of rinsing instead of wiping.

Bidets even earned a moment in the national spotlight last month when Zorhan Mamdani, New York City’s new mayor, said he hoped to have them installed in the bathrooms of Gracie Mansion, the 18th century Manhattan home that serves as the official residence of the city’s chief executive.

Medical professionals sometimes recommend bidets for patients with hemorrhoids, in recovery from surgery, or who have limited mobility due to age or disabilities. But experts say bidets are not best for everyone and need to be used properly to prevent other problems.

Here are some of the ins and outs to consider.

Bidets for every budget

Bidets use a jet of water to clean the genitals and anal area after someone goes to the bathroom. They originally existed mainly as standalone fixtures separate from toilets.

These days, the options include toilet seat attachments and hand-held versions that resemble detachable shower heads. Many of the latest “smart” toilets come with integrated bidets and feature heated seats, adjustable water pressure and air dryers.

On YouTube and other social media platforms, there are videos demonstrations of how to make a portable bidet with a plastic soda bottle.

Proper bidet etiquette

Bidet converts tend to rave about how much cleaner the appliances leave them feeling. Since all toileting activity involves delicate body parts and bacteria, experts stress that correct bidet use is required to make the activity as sanitary as possible.

When using standalone bidets and ones installed on toilets, it’s best, especially for women, to turn on the faucet while facing the controls so the washing is done from front to back, according to Dr. David Rivadeneira, a colorectal surgeon with the Huntington Hospital in Huntington, New York.

That position prevents the transfer of bacteria from the anal area to the urethra, Rivadeneira said.

Most doctors recommend using warm water at low pressure for up to a few minutes, avoiding any extreme temperatures. You can also try a gentle soap if desired, but it’s usually not necessary for regular bidet users.

Rivadeneira cautions patients against trying to inject water into the anus since the devices are not meant for internal use.

“You’re not supposed to be substituting it for a colonic or an enema,” he said.

After washing, pat dry with toilet paper or a dedicated cotton towel to remove any remaining stool and to prevent yeast infections, experts say.

Bidets can be used every day but are most appropriate after a bowel movement. Overuse may cause skin irritation, according to medical experts.

Proper bidet maintenance also matters, said Dr. Neal H. Patel, a family physician with the Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California. Make sure to wipe down the nozzle every week or two with disinfectant wipes to remove bacteria, he said.

Some benefits of bidets

Dr. Danielle Antosh, a urogynecologist in Houston, said some studies have showed that a bidet leaves less bacteria on a user’s hand compared to toilet paper, but the research remains too limited to know for sure.

However, doctors who are in favor of bidets think the devices are less harsh on sensitive skin than toilet paper.

“The texture of toilet paper can cause irritation and itching, while the gentle water stream of a bidet is less abrasive and healthier for the skin,” Dr. George Ellis, a urologist in Orlando, Florida, said.

Bidets therefore may benefit people with chronic diarrhea or other conditions that necessitate a lot of wiping, as well as those who are prone to urinary tract infections, medical experts said. They also may help relieve discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, they said.

Three dermatologists from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center wrote in a 2023 editorial in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology that their peers should be “aware of the commonality of bidet use outside of American culture” and comfortable recommending bidets because skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and contact dermatitis can occur in the perianal region.

They also argued that by helping people with physical limitations clean themselves independently after using the toilet, bidets can reduce the workload of caregivers, most of whom are women.

When to turn away from a bidet

Bidets are another example where it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. Some doctors in Japan have advised patients who reported rashes or difficulty controlling their bowels after frequent bottom cleansing to stop using bidets until the conditions cleared up.

Antosh recommends checking with a doctor before using a high-pressure bidet right after childbirth or if you have genital ulcers because powerful streams of water may be irritating.

Dr. Jenna Queller, a dermatologist and founder of Boca Raton, Florida-based DermWorks, said the same was true for people with genital eczema or psoriasis. She recommends moisturizing the areas after using a bidet to prevent irritation..

And while bidets may offer relief for an itchy bottom, always consult a doctor if there’s persistent bleeding from fissures or hemorrhoids because you could have a more serious condition, Rivadeneira advises.

The green factor

Bidets generally are recognized as a greener choice than toilet paper by most environmental groups and scientists. The non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council said in a recent report that the devices “significantly cut down on the use of toilet paper, helping to lessen the environmental impacts associated with tissue production.”

Gary Bull, a professor emeritus of forestry at the University of British Columbia told The Associated Press in a recent interview that while it makes sense and is agreed bidets are more sustainable, truly knowing the environmental impact of a product requires calculating all the carbon emitted and energy used in making the products and through the end of their life cycles.

Fancier bidets, for example, use electricity to heat the water and seat, he noted.

“I was working out in my own house last night putting in a Japanese bidet because I just came back from Japan, and I went, ‘OK, so this is good,’” Bull said. “But then if I look at that bidet, if I’m doing an honest assessment cradle to cradle, then I have to look at the water consumption, the energy consumption, a whole bunch of other things, to know whether or not that is a better choice for me as a consumer versus toilet tissue.”

Andrea Hicks, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin, suggested thinking about how dry or wet a climate you live in before making a decision.

In a “water-stressed” state like Arizona, toilet paper may be the more sustainable choice, while a bidet might more sense in a place where water is abundant, Hicks said.

This story replaces the 27th paragraph to correct the name of the organization to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

AP Writer Isabella O’Malley in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

By Kurt Woock, NerdWallet

The holiday shopping season happens every year. So why can it still be so tough to be financially prepared? Thirty-one percent of 2024 holiday shoppers who used credit cards to buy gifts still hadn’t paid off the balances nearly one year later, according to NerdWallet’s 2025 Holiday Spending Report.

One reason behind the budgeting-spending disconnect could be the assumption that planning ahead looks the same for all expenses. It doesn’t. For large, predictable expenses, like holiday expenses, one solution is a sinking fund — money saved and earmarked for specific purchases.

The three types of expenses

Thinking about how frequent and predictable an expense is can help you decide how to plan for it.

1. Groceries, rent and other recurring expenses are both frequent and predictable. Typically, you’d pay for these with your regular income using your checking account (or with a credit card that you pay off each month). These expenses make up most of your budget, and are relatively easy to account for.

2. Emergencies are chaos agents. They’re infrequent and unpredictable: a trip to the emergency room or storm damage to your home, for example. It wouldn’t make sense to budget specific amounts for different potential emergencies. Instead, you prepare for these by building an emergency fund — a single sum dedicated for these surprise expenses. There’s no single amount everyone needs. Three to six months of your typical spending is ideal, but even a few hundred dollars can make a difference.

3. Finally, there are the expenses that can wreck your budgeting process. They are generally more predictable than emergencies but less so than recurring spending, and they don’t occur often. Examples include:

Replacing a roof, a furnace or another major component of a home.
Buying a new vehicle when your current vehicle no longer works for you.
Going on vacation.

Because the actual purchase may be many months or years away, it’s easy for these expenses to sneak up on you. But taking advantage of this time is crucial as they tend to be costly.

Missing your window to save for big-ticket purchases is a common oversight. Thirty-five percent of Americans say their 2025 holiday spending was financially irresponsible (e.g., they took on debt or overspent), according to a NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll in January 2026.

Sinking funds are the centerpiece of one savings strategy that can counteract this problem.

How sinking funds work

A sinking fund is another name for money you save a little bit at a time for a specific purchase in the future.

Instead of thinking of these expenses as large one-time purchases, translate them into a monthly expense — a money cadence most people are more accustomed to. Breaking it into smaller chunks also minimizes the intimidation that may come with focusing on a large dollar amount, transforming it into something more manageable.

To stay organized, keep your sinking fund in an account separate from your primary checking account. If you’ll have multiple sinking funds, look for a savings account that lets you create subaccounts, or “buckets,” to organize funds for each goal. Choosing a high yield savings account is a smart way to put your savings to work.

Sinking funds in action

Here’s what using a sinking fund might look like: Say you replace your vehicle about every eight years, and you want to spend $20,000 on your next car. If you save $200 per month for eight years into a sinking fund, you’ll have that amount ready to go when you need it. If you take out a loan instead, you’ll pay more due to fees and interest.

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For holiday expenses, start with what you spent last year and divide it by the time you have to save. If you spent $1,500 and start saving for next year in February, you’ll need to save $136 each month for 11 months to reach that savings goal.

Starting a sinking fund has an added benefit: The planning process can alert you to potential overspending before it happens. If you discover your monthly budget can’t accommodate contributions to a sinking fund, you certainly won’t be able to afford the purchase later without using debt.

Delaying, downsizing or rethinking future purchases well ahead of time allows you to make financial decisions with confidence. If you discover you lack the savings when you’re already in the checkout line, your emotions may overwhelm you to spend money you don’t have.

The complete survey methodology is available in the original article, published at NerdWallet.

Kurt Woock writes for NerdWallet. Email: kwoock@nerdwallet.com.

The article Big Expenses Ruining Your Budget? Try a Sinking Fund. originally appeared on NerdWallet.