Author: Money Mechanics

There are 600,000 more home sellers than buyers, giving the buyers who are in the market negotiating power. Only five metro areas are seller’s markets, most of which are located in the Northeast. The South and West are home to the strongest buyer’s markets. There were an estimated 44% more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in January (or 600,314 more, in numerical terms). That’s up from 30% more a year earlier and represents the second largest gap in records dating back to 2013. The largest gap was in December 2025, when sellers outnumbered buyers by 45%.…

Finnish unicorn IQM today announced plans to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), valuing the company at approximately $1.8 billion. The move will see IQM join the growing cohort of quantum computing companies listed on U.S. stock markets.  Founded in 2018 as a spinout from Finland’s Aalto University and VTT Technical Research, IQM commercializes both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform to access its systems, with clients including academic and industrial labs around the world. Public quantum companies have seen their stocks surge in recent months, fueled by signals from governments and Big Tech that…

Key Takeaways Novo Nordisk shares plunged Monday after the Ozempic and Wegovy maker’s newest drug trial results came in short of expectations.Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema, its next-generation weight-loss drug, led patients to lose less weight over 84 weeks than tirzepatide, the active ingredient in rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. The weight-loss drug wars took a fresh turn on Monday. Shares of Novo Nordisk (NVO) were down over 15% in recent trading after the Danish drugmaker announced the results of a clinical trial for its new weight-loss drug that came…

Key Takeaways Home Depot and Lowe’s are set to report earnings this week, with traders expecting sizable moves in the home improvement retailers’ shares. Both stocks have climbed to start the year, amid a broader rotation out of tech stocks in favor of consumer-focused companies. Home Depot and Lowe’s are set to report earnings this week, with traders anticipating sizable swings in the home improvement retailers’ stocks following the results. Home Depot is set to report earnings on Tuesday morning, with rival Lowe’s following Wednesday. Current options pricing suggests traders expect Home Depot (HD) stock could move up to 4% in…

Key Takeaways Many workers’ retirement balances trail the value of their vehicles.On average, no age group has reached even 25% of common retirement savings targets.Small contribution increases and spending shifts can help close the gap over time. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. A new analysis from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) highlights a stark reality: For many Americans, their car is worth more than their retirement savings. The comparison lands because it swaps abstract percentages with something tangible—a vehicle sitting in the driveway. The report, based on U.S. Census data of workers…

(Image credit: Getty Images)For years, paying for graduate school followed a predictable pattern: Borrow what you need and deal with repayment later. Federal Grad PLUS loans made that possible by allowing students to cover nearly the full cost of attendance after other aid was applied.According to the Education Data Initiative, in 2025 the average outstanding balance on a Federal Grad PLUS loan stood at about $66,000, which underscores how central these loans have been to graduate financing.That model is changing. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus…

(Image credit: Getty Images)In these complex times of economic and interest rate uncertainty, many homeowners are choosing to stay put through it all.Some are strategically holding on to a low mortgage rate in an unpredictable market. Others are prioritizing stability, maintaining their sense of control while the economic pendulum swings.But staying in place doesn’t mean standing still. A growing number of Americans are tapping into one of the most powerful yet underutilized assets they own — home equity. At the same time, many homeowners may not fully understand the tools available to them. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

Key Takeaways Retiring in the Midwest generally means lower housing costs and everyday expenses, which can make room in your budget for comfort, long-term planning, and the occasional splurge.Taxes and healthcare access fluctuate depending on the state and specific town, so picking the right retirement location can affect costs and convenience.Many Midwest towns offer a slower pace of living and stable prices, which suits those looking for a quiet, less rushed retirement. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. If you’re approaching retirement, you may be looking forward to how you’ll spend your nonworking years, and…

(Image credit: Getty Images)One of my goals in life is to outlive my father. He passed away just a few days shy of his 48th birthday.It reshaped the way I look at time. When I was younger, I thought anyone who reached their 50s was old. Now that I’m here, slouching toward midlife, I see how much my father missed: the birth of his grandchildren, graduations and marriages. He never saw my writing published. I know now that he really did die too young.Life events like these put things into perspective — what’s possible, what you wish for and what…

Stock futures pointed lower Monday after President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he was raising global tariffs following a Supreme Court ruling against a majority of his “reciprocal” duties. Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.6%, 0.4%, and 0.4%, respectively, in recent trading. On Friday, after the Supreme Court struck down the majority of his tariffs announced last April, Trump announced a 10% global hike, then upped it to 15% a day later. The new duties do not rely on powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which the court ruled did…