WSJ Your Money Matters

A study from the Tax Policy Center finds nearly a third of those households could see tax increases averaging from $3,000 to $4,000 a year. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Saunders joins us with details.

As Tesla moves into the mainstream market, Heard on the Street's Charley Grant and Spencer Jakab join MoneyBeat's Stephen Grocer and Paul Vigna to talk the launch of the long-awaited Model 3 electric car, with a look at what investors are betting on.

A report says there are more than 30 million jobs paying at least 35 thousand dollars for workers without four-year college degrees. The problem, says the Wall Street Journal's Lauren Weber, is that there are more than twice as many workers without college diplomas.

The Fed held interest rates steady at their latest policy meeting. Greg McBride of Bankrate.com, says the lack of inflation will make it tough for the Fed to raise rates anytime soon. He also discusses the Fed's plan to shrink its balance sheet.

Americans are expected to pour a record 316 billion dollars into home remodeling this year. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto says the boom is being driven by a shortage of single family homes, which is driving up prices.

With short-term interest rates on the rise, businesses are demanding higher rates on their deposit accounts from banks. The Wall Street Journal's Christina Rexrode says banks are giving businesses what they want.

The Wall Street Journal's Josh Mitchell says college prices are now rising just 1.9 percent, in line with inflation. He says stagnant enrollment is a big reason for slowing price growth.

Online travel giants Expedia and Priceline want a big piece of the short-term home rental market currently dominated by Airbnb. The Wall Street Journal's Chris Kirkham says the two are boosting their inventory of home-rental options that can be booked with just a few clicks.

Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist for the Wall Street Journal, explains why a new site called Upside Travel may appeal to small-business owners and those seeking first-class deals.

General Electric reports second quarter earnings Friday, right before John Flannery takes over as new CEO. The Wall Street Journal's Thomas Gryta says familiar problems confront GE, including its slumping stock price and its cash flow.

A survey by Bankrate.com finds that real estate remains Americans' favorite investment for the long-term. Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick says stocks came in a distant third, meaning that too many people are passing up stocks and their higher long-term returns.

Good news for employees who may not have saved enough for retirement. Some companies are raising their 401(k) contributions. The Wall Street Journal's Sarah Krouse says it's a bid to retain employees and encourage older workers to retire.

Bitcoin slid sharply over the weekend, falling below two thousand dollars. The cryptocurrency had been above three thousand in mid-June. The Wall Street Journal's Paul Vigna says it's a reminder that these digital assets remain highly speculative, experimental trading vehicles.

A study finds that Google searches on buying a first home are sharply higher. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto says it indicates more millennials are interested in purchasing a home, but affordability remains a key concern.

In a surprise, the Senate GOP retained the 3.8 percent surtax on investment income in its latest healthcare measure. The tax will hit high earners most of all, but the Wall Street Journal's Laura Saunders says others can often minimize the tax if they plan ahead.

In one case, a $22 million settlement; in another, a judge's dismissal after a trial. The Wall Street Journal's Anne Tergesen joins us in the studio to help make sense of what's happening with 401(k) fee lawsuits.

Calm markets, the Fed and lighter lending are among the factors seen influencing second-quarter results. The Wall Street Journal's Peter Rudegeair joins us in the studio with a look at what to watch when banks report earnings.

Interest rates on bank deposits have been at rock-bottom levels for a long time. The Wall Street Journal's Christina Rexrode talks about the pressures banks may face to raise those rates, now that Fed short-term rates have topped one percent.

Warren Buffett has a legendary reputation as a stock picker. But the bid by his Berkshire Hathaway company to buy Oncor, a Texas utility, is the latest sign that Berkshire is shifting from picking stocks to running businesses. The Wall Street Journal's Nicole Friedman joins us.

In an echo of the 1990s, semiconductor sales have been strong as chip companies find new markets, including autos and household items. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher says chips are also benefiting from smartphones, even though phone sales are slowing.

Every state offers 529 savings accounts to parents of college-bound children. Wall Street Journal contributor Chana Schoenberger talks about how parents can pick the right 529 for their kids.

The conventional wisdom says no. But that isn't necessarily the case. Wall Street Journal Contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins us with the details.

A controversial new metric on executive pay is on Congress's chopping block. The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Wilmot reports from London on why investors should care.

June meeting minutes showed Fed policymakers were ready to start shrinking the Fed's huge portfolio of bonds and mortgage-backed securities in the next few months. Details from Wall Street Journal reporter Nick Timiraos.

Bank stocks rose recently after the biggest financial institutions passed the Federal Reserve's stress tests. But banks face a challenging lending and interest rate environment, says the Wall Street Journal's Telis Demos.

Renting a car this summer? WalletHub's Jill Gonzalez reveals which credit card companies offer the best options for rental car insurance. She also says some exotic cars are not covered.

Airlines are now taking into consideration weather delays, mechanical repairs and air-traffic mix-ups when creating their schedules. Wall Street Journal Middle Seat columnist Scott McCartney says this approach is helping improve on-time arrival rankings.

Brad McMillan of Commonwealth Financial Network thinks the current market and economy have much in common with 1999. He explains why investors should take note.

Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, were a key factor in the stock market rally during the first quarter. The Wall Street Journal's Chris Dieterich says ETFs spent nearly 100 billion dollars buying U.S. stocks the first three months of the year.

San Francisco saw just a five percent price growth rate in April, signaling a cooling in what was once the hottest US housing market. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto says that could presage a broader US housing slowdown.

Stock market volatility is way down and corporate profits have been strong. But the Wall Street Journal's Ira Iosebashvili says investors have been increasingly moving to hedge against a big downturn.

The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig says the number of publicly-traded companies has shrunk by more than half since 1997. That makes it tougher for stock pickers to pick winners.

Most big banks are less likely to fail stress tests conducted by the Federal Reserve. That's because starting this year, the Fed won't flunk a bank purely for qualitative, or subjective reasons, according to the Wall Street Journal's Ryan Tracy.

Many millennials are frequently visiting coffee shops, restaurants and bars, failing to exercise financial discipline. Sarah Berger from Bankrate.com reveals new findings about millennial spending habits.

The Wall Street Journal's James Mackintosh worries that investors are not showing enough skepticism over Amazon.com's plan to buy Whole Foods. He says investor faith in Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' inventiveness provides the main support for the company's stock.

Is this the calm before the storm for the markets? The Wall Street Journal's Daisy Maxey has talked to some investment strategists who suggest ways for investors to hedge against market volatility.

No one likes racking up big credit card charges on a summer vacation. The Wall Street Journal's Veronica Dagher has tips on keeping your vacation costs in check, including the best day to travel and where the best deals are.

If you speculate in a volatile asset, you could lose a lot of money. The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig tells about a money manager who mapped about a strategy for investing his own funds in Ethereum, a volatile cryptocurrency.

The Wall Street Journal's Paul Vigna says there's a fight over how bitcoin should function. One side says the virtual currency should be like a commodity while the other side says bitcoin should function like a currency which can be used to settle transactions.

In a speech to manufacturers Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan expressed confidence that a tax overhaul bill will pass this year. But the Wall Street Journal's Richard Rubin says the bill being touted faces numerous hurdles.

The Wall Street Journal's Chris Dieterich says that high-flying tech stocks are in so many different types of funds that it makes it difficult to diversify a portfolio. That could make even low-volatility funds vulnerable in bouts of selling.

Amazon.com's 13.7 billion dollar purchase of Whole Foods pushes the online retailer much deeper into the grocery business. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher says it also gets Amazon much closer to customers in terms of delivering its products.

In the last three years, nine states have eliminated or lowered their estate taxes, mostly by raising exemptions. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Saunders says states are cutting these taxes to court affluent and wealthy taxpayers.

Wall Street Journal travel columnist Scott McCartney checks off the carriers offering the best and worst experiences in coach these days.

The Fed hiked interest rates as expected Wednesday, and David Smith of Rockland Trust believes policy makers will move methodically toward a Fed funds rate of 2 percent. That way, the central bank will have a cushion if the economy weakens.

Investor optimism held steady near a 16-year high, according to a new survey by Wells Fargo Investment Institute. But a wide majority say they're worried about the impact of geopolitical risks on their investments. Details on the survey from Wells Fargo's Brian Rehling.

College grads with student debt can face daunting challenges if they try to buy a home. The Wall Street Journal's Jillian Berman talks about programs from Fannie Mae and several states that offer aid for young people who want to become homeowners.

The Federal Reserve is widely-expected to raise interest rates this week. So what about the rest of the year? Chuck Carlson, CEO of Horizon Investment Services, previews this meeting and sees even more rate hikes this year.

Airlines have been whittling away at amenities for their customers, and the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney says that even elite frequent fliers are now seeing fewer perks, such as the system-wide upgrade.

Big tech names like Apple, Amazon and Facebook are a big reason why many stock pickers have beaten the market this year. The Wall Street Journal's Chris Dieterich says many funds have large holdings of these super-performing stocks.

It's a virtual lock that Fed policymakers will raise rates at next week's meeting. But the Wall Street Journal's Justin Lahart says a still-sluggish economy and stalled economic legislation in D.C. may just prompt the Fed to put further action on hold.

The U.S. housing recovery has been held back by a lack of potential first-time home buyers, particularly young people. But the Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto says the good news is that this is starting to change.

The Wall Street Journal's Eric Morath says that with the labor market shifting to more higher-paying jobs, we could see faster growth overall in workers' wages.

Apple has unveiled its voice-activated home speaker called the HomePod. The Wall Street Journal's Dan Gallagher says the HomePod costs nearly twice as much as Amazon's Echo.

A new study has stirred debate about whether combining drugs to treat cancer is worth the cost. According to the Wall Street Journal's Peter Loftus, critics say the study found modest benefits in patients from drugs whose costs can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Bill Stone of PNC Global Asset Management sees little economic or market impact from the weekend's terror attack in London. But he says it could give a boost to U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and ruling Conservatives in Thursday's election.

Sales of Apple's iPhones or iPads don't explain the big rise in Apple's stock, which is up about 70 percent from a year ago. The Wall Street Journal's Tripp Mickle says other factors are at play, including the Warren Buffett factor.

The IRS has new tools to find secret accounts held overseas by Americans. And the Wall Street Journal's Laura Saunders says tax evaders who've intentionally hidden money offshore from Uncle Sam are receiving harsher penalties, including prison time.

More restaurants are selling designer hamburgers with gourmet toppings and artisan buns. The Wall Street Journal's Julie Jargon says it's resulted in much higher prices for burger-and-fries meals. Consumers are finding it's much cheaper to grill at home.

With college so expensive these days, many Americans who have gone straight from high school to college have had regrets about it. The Wall Street Journal's Doug Belkin says that's the finding of a new Gallup poll.

We trust computers for countless tasks in our lives, so why not trust them for picking our investments? The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig talks about the possibilities of making stock decisions based on algorithms.

The Wall Street Journal's Ben Eisen talks about Amazon.com and a handful of other tech companies that are helping to power the market's gains this year.

The average U.S. credit score hit a record high in April. Meantime, the share of Americans deemed to be some of the biggest credit risks hit a record low. The Wall Street Journal's AnnaMaria Andriotis says it could provide a big boost for lending and consumer spending.

More Americans who refinance their mortgages are using the cash-out option. The Wall Street Journal's Christina Rexrode says the rate of cash-out refis is at the highest level since 2008.

Stock splits were once seen as a way to keep shares affordable for the average investor. But they've become increasingly rare and we find out why from Wall Street Journal MoneyBeat editor Erik Holm.

The one-time home of late New York Yankees great Yogi Berra is for sale. The Hall of Fame catcher lived there from the 1950s to the 1970s. What's the sale price? Find out now.

Can you beat the market using The Wall Street Journal's trading simulator? The man who built it, Elliot Bentley, joins us in the studio.

As part of the Wall Street Journal series, "The Quants," WSJ's Leslie Scism looks at how insurance companies use computer algorithms to determine coverage and set rates.

Would you let a robot advise you on your investments? As part of the Wall Street Journal series, "The Quants," WSJ's Veronica Dagher tells us how algorithms are changing the way financial advice is offered.

Investors are attracted to municipal bonds for their tax protections. But the Wall Street Journal's Daisy Maxey explains why munis would become less attractive if President Donald Trump's tax cut plan passes in its current form.

Stocks that were expected to benefit from a Trump presidency has struggled this year. The Wall Street Journal's James Mackintosh says investors who don't believe the president will be able to work with Congress may want to adopt a pre-election strategy.

Studies show Americans become more pessimistic about markets and their own finances as they get older. So they stay frugal, according to the Wall Street Journal's Anne Tergesen.

A Federal Reserve survey finds Americans are doing better financially, except for those without a college education. The Wall Street Journal's Harriet Torry says that the financial health of American households overall has improved modestly in recent years.

Those who pay $20,000 or more to rent a luxury place each month should expect to go under the microscope. Wall Street Journal Jumbo Jungle columnist Robyn A. Friedman has advice for what to expect and how to handle the financial scrutiny.

Amid the final installment of The Wall Street Journal's Ahead of the Tape column, Steve Russolillo looks back at its best and worst stock picks and explains why trying to predict the markets for 15 years hasn't always been easy.

U.S. total household debt jumped to a record 12.7 trillion dollars in the first quarter, exceeding its 2008 peak. The Wall Street Journal's Ben Leubsdorf says job gains and economic growth boosted Americans' incomes and willingness to borrow.

Turmoil in the Trump administration rattled Wall Street Wednesday. But Brent Schutte of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management points out that, historically, markets have almost always responded to geopolitical risks with long-term gains.

Summer is a time for family vacations. The Wall Street Journal's Sue Shellenbarger says involving children in vacation decision-making teaches them valuable life skills - as long as parents don't give up too much control.

Stocks have fallen today over White House-related concerns. But until now, the market has been frothy with low volatility, inviting comparisons to the 2007 rally. However, there are some differences between then and now, says the Wall Street Journal's Sam Goldfarb.

Veronica Dagher, host of the Wall Street Journal podcast "Watching Your Wealth," says financial advisors are finding they need to change their approach - and their clothes - to win the business of millennials.

The Wall Street Journal's Jason Zweig says that, throughout history, only a handful of "superstocks" like Amazon.com have accounted for much of the wealth generated by the entire stock market.

Mutual fund companies investing in Puerto Rico's debt lost more than five billion dollars over the past five years, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. WSJ reporter Heather Gillers on fund managers' chances for recovering any losses.

Private colleges are seeing declining enrollment and flat revenue growth. So they're offering record tuition discounts to incoming freshmen. It's a great help to students, but the Wall Street Journal's Melissa Korn says it hasn't really helped colleges.

Millions of taxpayers take the medical expense deduction. What will happen to it with healthcare and tax reform on the horizon? Laura Saunders of the Wall Street Journal says the outcome is uncertain due to conflicts in proposals from the White House and Congress.

You got a pay raise recently. But it doesn't seem to matter. You still feel like you're not getting ahead. Why? Wall Street Journal reporter Eric Morath says you should blame inflation.

With the federal government reviving tougher sentences for drug offenders, expect even more confusion for people in the marijuana business who have to file for bankruptcy. Wall Street Journal reporter Katy Stech has details on federal developments.

The number of fraud alerts for credit cards and debit cards have jumped double-digits in the last two years. Matt Schulz from CreditCards.com breaks down new findings with John Wordock.

After sitting on the sidelines for a decade, millennials are buying homes en masse, promising to kick the already strong housing market into higher gear. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto joins us in the studio.

President Trump's planned tax overhaul touts a middle-class tax cut. But the Wall Street Journal's Richard Rubin says how much middle-income families would pay in taxes is a mystery because key details are missing.

Apple is the world's most valuable listed company, and its market capitalization just topped $800 billion, a first for any U.S. company. The Wall Street Journal's Ben Eisen talks about Apple, its stock and excitement over the upcoming iPhone.

Several states are pressing ahead with efforts to bring retirement-savings programs to private sector employees. That's despite a Senate vote to repeal regulations encouraging such initiatives. The Wall Street Journal's Anne Tergesen has details.

The stock market's volatility index, commonly known as the VIX or "fear gauge," fell to its lowest level since 1993. The Wall Street Journal's Gunjan Banerji says it indicates investor comfort with the market as jobs and earnings show strength.

Major banks pay next to nothing in interest rates to depositors. But banks keep taking in billions of dollars more in depositors' money, according to the Wall Street Journal's Rachel Ensign.

The market for initial public offerings has rebounded strongly this year. But some big startups have held out from going public and Wall Street Journal markets reporter Corrie Driebusch tells us why.

The Wall Street Journal's Charley Grant says investors have been paying scant attention to developments on healthcare legislation. He thinks that's a mistake since healthcare earnings could be affected by what happens in Washington.

How to make the most of President Trump's proposed tax overhaul? The Wall Street Journal's Veronica Dagher has some moves taxpayers might want to consider making in case the proposal becomes law.

Omar Aguilar of Charles Schwab Investment Management says investors have started to boost their international exposure, thanks to the recovery in global economies.