MarketWatch – Top Stories

MarketWatch – Top Stories

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I Inherited a House. My CPA Says I Should Sell Within a Year to Avoid Capital Gains. Is He Right?
NewsMay 19, 2026

I Inherited a House. My CPA Says I Should Sell Within a Year to Avoid Capital Gains. Is He Right?

The CPA’s advice to sell the inherited house within six months to a year to avoid capital‑gains tax is incorrect. Inherited property receives a stepped‑up basis equal to its fair‑market value at the decedent’s death, so any gain is measured...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
The Bond Market Has a Warning for the Fed: Get Serious About Inflation and Potential Rate Hikes ASAP
NewsMay 19, 2026

The Bond Market Has a Warning for the Fed: Get Serious About Inflation and Potential Rate Hikes ASAP

The Treasury market, encompassing roughly $30 trillion of U.S. debt, is seeing yields climb sharply as investors dump bonds worldwide. Fed officials have a narrow window before the June policy meeting to signal a tougher stance on inflation, especially given heightened...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
‘He Didn’t Really Pay Attention’: I Told My Friend He Left Millions on the Table in Retirement. Did I Do...
NewsMay 19, 2026

‘He Didn’t Really Pay Attention’: I Told My Friend He Left Millions on the Table in Retirement. Did I Do...

A senior publishing executive earned $250,000‑$450,000 annually, maxed out his 401(k)s, and lived frugally, yet kept the bulk of his savings in cash. By ignoring investment options beyond tax‑advantaged accounts, he potentially forfeited millions of dollars in compounded growth. The...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Inflation Will Likely Be Higher for Longer. Your Retirement Plan Isn’t Built for That.
NewsMay 16, 2026

Inflation Will Likely Be Higher for Longer. Your Retirement Plan Isn’t Built for That.

Official CPI reports 3.8% inflation, yet retirees experience roughly 8% because healthcare, energy, food and tax costs are soaring. The ongoing Iran conflict and rising Treasury debt keep oil premiums high, extending price pressures across the economy. Most retirement plans...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
I Have $310,000 in Cash From a Maturing CD. Where Should I Put It Next?
NewsMay 16, 2026

I Have $310,000 in Cash From a Maturing CD. Where Should I Put It Next?

A wave of maturing certificates of deposit (CDs) is forcing savers to redeploy large cash balances, exemplified by a reader with $310,000 becoming available. The article advises splitting the funds to stay within the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit, using a...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Stocks and Bonds Are Swept up in Selloff as Trump’s China Visit Fails to Pry Open Strait of Hormuz
NewsMay 15, 2026

Stocks and Bonds Are Swept up in Selloff as Trump’s China Visit Fails to Pry Open Strait of Hormuz

U.S. markets plunged after President Donald Trump returned from a Beijing summit without securing Chinese support to persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Global oil prices surged past $109 a barrel, reigniting concerns of a 2022‑style inflation spike....

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
BuzzFeed’s Stock More than Doubles as Beleaguered Media Company Gets a Lifeline
NewsMay 11, 2026

BuzzFeed’s Stock More than Doubles as Beleaguered Media Company Gets a Lifeline

BuzzFeed’s shares surged more than 130% in after‑hours trading after the company announced that Allen Family Digital, the family office of media mogul Byron Allen, will acquire a majority stake for $120 million. The deal gives Allen’s entity roughly 52% of...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
AI Investment ‘Advice’ Is 50% More Likely to Pump You up — and Trip You Into Costly Blunders
NewsMay 11, 2026

AI Investment ‘Advice’ Is 50% More Likely to Pump You up — and Trip You Into Costly Blunders

Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly shaping retail investment decisions, but a new analysis shows AI‑generated advice makes investors 50% more likely to act impulsively. The underlying cause is a well‑documented psychological tendency called action bias, which pushes traders toward unnecessary...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Oil Price Charts Produced a Pattern Not Seen in 36 Years. What Happened Last Time?
NewsMay 11, 2026

Oil Price Charts Produced a Pattern Not Seen in 36 Years. What Happened Last Time?

Brent crude’s 50‑day moving average broke the $100 barrier and sits 35 % above its 200‑day line, a spread not seen since December 1990. The last time this gap widened, prices peaked within weeks and then fell, even as the Relative Strength...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Here’s the Next AI ‘Battleground’ — and How Investors Can Get in on the Action
NewsMay 11, 2026

Here’s the Next AI ‘Battleground’ — and How Investors Can Get in on the Action

Investors are eyeing the emerging AI connectivity bottleneck as the next market battleground. As generative models demand ever‑faster, lower‑latency data movement, fiber‑optic and optoelectronic suppliers have seen share prices surge this year. Bernstein’s extensive report flags a supply shortage for...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Stocks Are Hitting Record Highs Even as Iran War Drags On. How Long Can It Last?
NewsMay 11, 2026

Stocks Are Hitting Record Highs Even as Iran War Drags On. How Long Can It Last?

U.S. equities pushed to fresh record levels on Monday as the S&P 500 closed above 7,400 for the first time, while the Nasdaq also posted a new high. The rally unfolded despite oil climbing above $104 a barrel and the Cboe...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Cash-Strapped Homeowners May Soon Have No Choice but to Repair Their Aging Houses. These Stocks Can Benefit.
NewsMay 11, 2026

Cash-Strapped Homeowners May Soon Have No Choice but to Repair Their Aging Houses. These Stocks Can Benefit.

Home‑improvement retailers Home Depot and Lowe’s face a potential demand tailwind as homeowners confront deferred repairs on aging mid‑2000s houses and pandemic‑era appliances. UBS analysts estimate an extra $1 billion‑$2 billion in annual repair spending, which could lift sector sales modestly this...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Figuring Out How to Watch NBA Playoff Games Has Been a Struggle. And — Sorry, Sports Fans — It’s only...
NewsMay 11, 2026

Figuring Out How to Watch NBA Playoff Games Has Been a Struggle. And — Sorry, Sports Fans — It’s only...

The NBA’s 2026 playoffs are scattered across a growing list of broadcasters, from Amazon Prime and Peacock to ESPN, ABC and NBA TV. Fans must often juggle two or more subscriptions just to follow a single game, turning a simple viewing experience...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Big Tech’s AI Spending Is Depriving Investors of Juicy Payouts
NewsMay 10, 2026

Big Tech’s AI Spending Is Depriving Investors of Juicy Payouts

Goldman Sachs projects S&P 500 share buybacks will rise only 3% in 2026 as big‑tech AI spending surges. The five AI hyperscalers—Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and Oracle—are slated to spend $755 billion on capital expenditures, an 83% year‑over‑year increase. To fund the...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
As Nvidia Earnings Draw Closer, Here Are 5 Things Investors Need to Watch
NewsMay 10, 2026

As Nvidia Earnings Draw Closer, Here Are 5 Things Investors Need to Watch

Nvidia is set to report its fiscal first‑quarter results on May 20, 2026, amid a stock performance that lags the broader semiconductor rally. The company’s shares have risen only about 15 % year‑to‑date, compared with a 61 % gain in the PHLX Semiconductor...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
‘Fibermaxxing’ Has Spurred the Launch of Fiber Sodas and Gummies. Is the Craze Going Too Far?
NewsMay 10, 2026

‘Fibermaxxing’ Has Spurred the Launch of Fiber Sodas and Gummies. Is the Craze Going Too Far?

The "fibermaxxing" craze has turned dietary fiber into a viral lifestyle trend, prompting influencers to flood social media with high‑fiber recipes and endorsements. Major food companies such as PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills are responding by launching fiber‑infused sodas,...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Stocks Are Walking a Tightrope to Fresh Record Highs — as a Handful of Names Do Most of the Heavy...
NewsMay 10, 2026

Stocks Are Walking a Tightrope to Fresh Record Highs — as a Handful of Names Do Most of the Heavy...

U.S. equities are inching toward fresh record highs, largely propelled by a tight group of mega‑cap tech firms whose stellar Q1 earnings have offset concerns about a prolonged Iran conflict. Oil prices remain anchored near $100 a barrel, eroding household...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
EBay Permanently Bans GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen for Putting Its Community ‘at Risk’ Following Takeover Attempt
NewsMay 10, 2026

EBay Permanently Bans GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen for Putting Its Community ‘at Risk’ Following Takeover Attempt

eBay announced it has permanently banned GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen from its marketplace, citing that his actions put the eBay community at risk. Cohen had recently floated a $55.5 billion hostile takeover proposal for eBay and was also selling high‑priced GameStop...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
My Niece Is on Social Security Disability Insurance. Will She Lose Her Health Insurance if I Buy Her a House?
NewsMay 9, 2026

My Niece Is on Social Security Disability Insurance. Will She Lose Her Health Insurance if I Buy Her a House?

An aunt wants to help her disabled niece purchase a more suitable home without jeopardizing the niece’s health benefits. The response explains that Medicare eligibility is tied to SSDI, not age, while Medicaid and SSI impose strict asset limits that...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
The Unsinkable U.S. Economy Cruises on, Despite Headwinds From the Iran War
NewsMay 9, 2026

The Unsinkable U.S. Economy Cruises on, Despite Headwinds From the Iran War

The U.S. economy continues to expand despite the geopolitical shock of the Iran‑Israel conflict. For the second month running, payrolls added far more jobs than analysts on Wall Street forecast, reinforcing a robust labor market. Core indicators such as manufacturing...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Introducing the ‘NACHO’ Trade: How Wall Street Is Betting on Higher Oil Prices and Persistent Inflation
NewsMay 9, 2026

Introducing the ‘NACHO’ Trade: How Wall Street Is Betting on Higher Oil Prices and Persistent Inflation

Wall Street has coined “NACHO” (Not a Chance Hormuz Opens) to describe a trade that profits from higher oil prices and lingering inflation. The strategy pairs long exposure to oil‑linked assets with short positions in short‑term Treasuries, betting that the...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
More Americans Are Buying Homes to Fit Multiple Generations: ‘It Answered a Lot of Prayers’
NewsMay 9, 2026

More Americans Are Buying Homes to Fit Multiple Generations: ‘It Answered a Lot of Prayers’

Multigenerational home purchases are gaining traction as baby boomers age and housing costs rise. The Pew Research Center reports that households with two adult generations or grandparents have quadrupled since 1971, reaching nearly 60 million. In 2026, 14% of homebuyers chose...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
I Was a Slave to Credit-Card Debt, Then I Got Laid Off and Turned My Life Around. Here’s How I...
NewsMay 9, 2026

I Was a Slave to Credit-Card Debt, Then I Got Laid Off and Turned My Life Around. Here’s How I...

Quentin Fottrell, a veteran tech professional, recounts how decades of high‑income spending left him buried under credit‑card debt. After a second layoff, he forced a financial reset, using aggressive debt‑payoff tactics, expense trimming, and a side‑gig strategy to regain stability....

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
‘The S&P 500 Seems to Be Doing Particularly Well’: I’m 66. Is This a Good Time to Invest $100,000 in...
NewsMay 8, 2026

‘The S&P 500 Seems to Be Doing Particularly Well’: I’m 66. Is This a Good Time to Invest $100,000 in...

A 66‑year‑old investor with a debt‑free home asks if $100,000 should be placed in S&P 500 index funds for a 5‑7‑year horizon. She already holds 50% of her portfolio in the index and worries about a potential 40% market decline, which...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
The AI Marathon’s Biggest Threat Suggests the Finish Line Is Nowhere in Sight
NewsMay 8, 2026

The AI Marathon’s Biggest Threat Suggests the Finish Line Is Nowhere in Sight

U.S. corporations are still pouring billions into AI infrastructure, and the capital‑intensive wave shows no signs of waning. Economist Will Denyer notes that return on invested capital continues to outpace the weighted average cost of capital, creating a healthy “Wicksellian...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Momentum Stocks Just Saw One of the Biggest Reversals in Five Years. What Usually Happens Next.
NewsMay 8, 2026

Momentum Stocks Just Saw One of the Biggest Reversals in Five Years. What Usually Happens Next.

Momentum‑focused equities experienced one of the sharpest pullbacks in five years, with the iShares USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) sliding 1.8% and Goldman Sachs' high‑beta momentum basket tumbling 8%. The unwind hit both long and short legs, as software earnings...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Oil Futures Rise After U.S., Iran Trade Fire; Stock Futures Quiet After Court Rejects Trump’s Tariffs
NewsMay 8, 2026

Oil Futures Rise After U.S., Iran Trade Fire; Stock Futures Quiet After Court Rejects Trump’s Tariffs

U.S. forces launched retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian targets after Navy vessels were attacked, pushing West Texas Intermediate crude up about 2% and lifting Brent prices. The geopolitical flare‑up came as a federal court rejected President Donald Trump’s latest tariff proposal,...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Iren’s Stock Soars as a Major Nvidia Investment Overshadows Revenue Shortfall
NewsMay 8, 2026

Iren’s Stock Soars as a Major Nvidia Investment Overshadows Revenue Shortfall

Iren’s shares surged after the company disclosed a strategic partnership with Nvidia that includes a five‑year right to purchase 30 million shares at $70 each, valuing the deal at up to $2.1 billion. The collaboration will see Iren deploy 5 gigawatts of infrastructure...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
SoundHound’s Stock Falls as Acquisitions Weigh on Earnings Results
NewsMay 8, 2026

SoundHound’s Stock Falls as Acquisitions Weigh on Earnings Results

SoundHound AI reported Q1 revenue of $44.2 million, up 52% year‑over‑year and ahead of the $42.6 million consensus, but posted an adjusted loss of 6 cents per share, missing the 4‑cent expectation. The earnings miss sent the stock down 12% in after‑hours trading....

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Airbnb Is Seeing some of Its Fastest Growth From This Surprising Segment
NewsMay 8, 2026

Airbnb Is Seeing some of Its Fastest Growth From This Surprising Segment

Airbnb announced that its experimental boutique‑hotel listings are growing faster than its core home‑sharing business. The trial, though still small, is delivering double‑digit booking increases and is outpacing overall platform growth. The move comes as the Iran‑Ukraine conflict has dampened...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
AI Is Coming for Your Job After All. These New Announcements Prove It.
NewsMay 8, 2026

AI Is Coming for Your Job After All. These New Announcements Prove It.

Tech giants are accelerating workforce reductions as AI reshapes operations. On Thursday, Upwork announced cuts affecting roughly a quarter of its staff, Cloudflare disclosed more than 1,100 job eliminations—about 20% of its headcount—and Bill Holdings revealed plans to trim up...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
My Husband Has a $225,000 Pension. We Don’t Trust His ‘Too Big to Fail’ Employer. Where Do We Invest It?
NewsMay 7, 2026

My Husband Has a $225,000 Pension. We Don’t Trust His ‘Too Big to Fail’ Employer. Where Do We Invest It?

The article advises the couple to roll the $225,000 pension lump‑sum into a traditional IRA via a direct rollover, preserving tax‑deferred status and avoiding the 20% withholding. Once in an IRA, they can access low‑cost index funds, bond ladders, and...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Restaurants Really Don’t Want to Sell Fake Meat — and Beyond Meat Is Suffering
NewsMay 6, 2026

Restaurants Really Don’t Want to Sell Fake Meat — and Beyond Meat Is Suffering

Beyond Meat, now rebranding as Beyond The Plant Protein Co., warned that second‑quarter sales will fall between $60 million and $65 million, below analysts’ $67 million estimate. The forecast triggered a more than 15% after‑hours drop in its shares, extending a 12‑month decline...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Traders Point to Suspicious Activity in the Oil Market on Wednesday
NewsMay 6, 2026

Traders Point to Suspicious Activity in the Oil Market on Wednesday

On May 6, 2026, U.S. crude‑oil futures experienced a sudden surge in trading volume just minutes before an Axios report announced that the United States and Iran were close to a memorandum ending hostilities. The news triggered a sharp price decline, prompting...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Here’s How Far the Trump Administration’s ‘Startling Turn’ on AI Regulation Might Go
NewsMay 6, 2026

Here’s How Far the Trump Administration’s ‘Startling Turn’ on AI Regulation Might Go

In his first month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that nullified the Biden administration’s 2023 AI regulatory framework, arguing it stifled innovation. The move marked a sharp policy reversal, shifting from a hands‑off stance to a more interventionist...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
PayPal’s Stock Falls After Earnings. Here’s What’s Spooking Wall Street.
NewsMay 5, 2026

PayPal’s Stock Falls After Earnings. Here’s What’s Spooking Wall Street.

PayPal posted a solid first‑quarter earnings beat, with revenue rising 7% to $8.35 billion and adjusted EPS climbing 1% to $1.34. However, the company warned of a roughly 9% drop in adjusted EPS for the June quarter, far worse than analysts’...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Here Are 13 Reasons Why Large Caps Will Now Beat Small Caps, According to UBS
NewsMay 5, 2026

Here Are 13 Reasons Why Large Caps Will Now Beat Small Caps, According to UBS

UBS strategists argue that large‑cap stocks are poised to outpace small caps after a year in which the Russell 2000 outperformed the S&P 500 by 13 % versus 5 %. They cite shifting CTA positioning, a valuation discount for small caps, stronger earnings quality...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Berkshire Hathaway Is Now Sitting on a Record $397 Billion in Cash. And It’s Not the only Firm Reluctant to...
NewsMay 4, 2026

Berkshire Hathaway Is Now Sitting on a Record $397 Billion in Cash. And It’s Not the only Firm Reluctant to...

Chief Executive Greg Abel disclosed that Berkshire Hathaway’s cash reserves have swelled to a record $397 billion, primarily held in U.S. Treasury bills. Warren Buffett described the current equity market as a “casino,” saying prices are too high to justify new...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
The California Wealth Tax Has a Loophole—Here’s How Much Billionaires Could Save
NewsMay 4, 2026

The California Wealth Tax Has a Loophole—Here’s How Much Billionaires Could Save

California’s proposed billionaire tax would levy a one‑time 5% charge on the total global assets of residents with net worths above $1.1 billion. The legislation excludes real property held directly or in revocable trusts, but assets owned through limited liability companies...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Kylie Jenner Knocks $2.26 Million Off the Price of Her SoCal Mansion
NewsMay 4, 2026

Kylie Jenner Knocks $2.26 Million Off the Price of Her SoCal Mansion

Kylie Jenner reduced the asking price of her Hidden Hills mansion by $2.26 million, bringing it down to $17.99 million after initially listing at $20.25 million. The 13,200‑square‑foot estate, bought for $12.05 million in 2016, features eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms and extensive indoor‑outdoor entertainment...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
S&P 500 Profits Haven’t Been This Rich in at Least 15 Years — but There’s More to the Story
NewsMay 3, 2026

S&P 500 Profits Haven’t Been This Rich in at Least 15 Years — but There’s More to the Story

The S&P 500’s Q1 profit margin surged to 14.7%, the highest since 2009, driven largely by three big‑tech giants—Alphabet, Amazon and Meta. Their net incomes jumped 81%, 77% and 61% respectively, far outpacing revenue growth. While the index’s earnings‑per‑share growth hit...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
‘I’m Very Late to the Game’: I’m 48, Earn $65,000, Have $48,000 in Debt and No Retirement. Am I Doomed?
NewsMay 1, 2026

‘I’m Very Late to the Game’: I’m 48, Earn $65,000, Have $48,000 in Debt and No Retirement. Am I Doomed?

A 48‑year‑old wine director earning $65,000 annually faces $48,000 of mixed debt and no employer‑provided retirement plan. The writer lives rent‑free in a family‑owned home, giving a low cost of living but no savings or investments. Financial advice emphasizes eliminating...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
It Now Costs $160 to Fill up America’s Top-Selling Vehicle as the Iran War Nears Its 10th Week
NewsMay 1, 2026

It Now Costs $160 to Fill up America’s Top-Selling Vehicle as the Iran War Nears Its 10th Week

Gasoline prices have surged to four‑year highs since the Iran war began, reaching $4.42 per gallon nationally. At that price, filling a new Ford F‑150, America’s best‑selling vehicle, costs about $160. The price jump represents a nearly 50% increase in nine...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
These Stocks Have Been the Biggest Winners During the S&P 500’s Best Month Since 2020
NewsApr 30, 2026

These Stocks Have Been the Biggest Winners During the S&P 500’s Best Month Since 2020

The S&P 500 surged 9.6% in April, marking its strongest one‑month gain since November 2020. The rally was powered by a 17.7% jump in the information‑technology sector, led by semiconductor stocks that posted a 36.7% rise for the month. Intel topped the...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
U.S. Jobless Claims Sink to a 57-Year Low. Jobs Aren’t Easy to Find — or Lose.
NewsApr 30, 2026

U.S. Jobless Claims Sink to a 57-Year Low. Jobs Aren’t Easy to Find — or Lose.

Initial jobless claims fell by 26,000 to 189,000 for the week ending April 25, marking the lowest level since 1969. Continuing claims also slipped to a two‑year low of 1.79 million, reflecting fewer layoffs and benefit expirations. The tight labor market has...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Royal Caribbean Says People Booking Cruises Aren’t so Worried About Iran Anymore
NewsApr 30, 2026

Royal Caribbean Says People Booking Cruises Aren’t so Worried About Iran Anymore

Royal Caribbean’s shares jumped after the cruise line posted first‑quarter earnings that beat analysts’ forecasts. The company said demand has rebounded to pre‑Iran‑conflict levels, lifting bookings that had slipped in March and early April. However, the firm trimmed its full‑year...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Here’s What’s Worth Streaming in May 2026 on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and More
NewsApr 30, 2026

Here’s What’s Worth Streaming in May 2026 on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and More

The May 2026 streaming guide highlights a leaner slate of prestige shows as budget cuts and consolidation bite, prompting consumers to trim subscriptions and adopt “strategic churning” to stay under a $50 monthly budget. Apple TV earns a Play rating...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Two Investment Strategies for People Who Are Afraid of the Stock Market
NewsApr 29, 2026

Two Investment Strategies for People Who Are Afraid of the Stock Market

The article outlines two low‑risk investment approaches that rely on buffered exchange‑traded funds, which cap downside losses while preserving upside potential. It highlights how these defined‑outcome ETFs let cautious investors “tiptoe” into equities without fearing market crashes. Innovator Capital Management,...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Can Meta Make Money on AI Beyond Consumer Ads? That’s a Big Question Going Into Earnings.
NewsApr 29, 2026

Can Meta Make Money on AI Beyond Consumer Ads? That’s a Big Question Going Into Earnings.

Meta Platforms is set to report its quarterly earnings, prompting investors to scrutinize the company’s expanding AI portfolio. While the firm has successfully integrated AI into its consumer‑facing advertising, analysts are uncertain whether new tools like Muse Spark can generate revenue...

By MarketWatch – Top Stories