Marketwatch First Take: Microsoft’s Ho-hum Quarter Lacks Buzz

shapecharge/Getty, Anna Kim/Getty, Tyler Le/BIAn extra tax on home sale profits over $250,000 was designed to target wealthy homeowners. But as home values have soared, the tax is impacting middle-income people, too. Two older homeowners told BI they want to downsize, but have been discouraged by the tax. Many older homeowners have benefited from soaring home prices in recent years, but as they look to cash in and downsize, some are discouraged by a federal tax that applies to a growing number of home sales.

Tim Cook faces a tough balancing act between Washington and Beijing to protect Apple's supply chain in China. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesFor years, Tim Cook has overseen the development of Apple's supply chain in China. The risk of tariffs on China from Donald Trump requires a complex balancing act from Cook.

Mae Suzuki, Benji Xavier, and Alaias Bertrand said they lost weight sustainably when they focused on their health over their appearance. Mae Suzuki/ Benji Xavier/Alaias BertrandMany people associate losing weight with restrictive dieting, but that is unsustainable for most. Three people who met their weight loss goals sustainably shared how they did it.

A Rolex Day-date watch. Christian Vierig/Getty ImagesRolex has hiked prices for some of its most popular pieces. This comes after the price of gold surged in 2024. As of Thursday, the price stood at about $2,700 per ounce. Rolex, one of the world's most premium watch brands, just got even more expensive.

Vinay Hiremath (left), a co-founder of Loom, reflected on finding purpose after selling the company. LoomVinay Hiremath, a co-founder of Loom, just wrote about finding purpose after selling the company. Software company Atlassian acquired Loom for $975 million in fall 2023. The 32-year-old has climbed mountains and joined DOGE. Now, he's in Hawaii.

Ukrainian troops were trained in trench warfare in French military camps, which Macron visited in October. AP Photo/Thibault Camus, PoolUkraine's investigators are probing the 155th Mechanized Brigade, a unit partially trained by France. Nicknamed "Anne of Kyiv," the highly publicized brigade was an effort by France to bolster Ukraine's defenses.