Sponsored by

Welcome to a special edition of the Markets A.M. newsletter featuring articles from today's Investing Monthly report. The report offers insights and advice for investors, as well as a look back at market highlights from February. In our featured articles, we take a look at how to plan for three potential scenarios surrounding the SALT deduction cap on state and local taxes, which is due to expire at year's end, and who may face a big tax hit on their student-loan forgiveness.

Also featured: Finance professor Meir Statman digs into research that shows stocks aren't always a sure thing over the long term; our Young Money columnist examines the etiquette of using payment apps like Venmo among friends; and our Monthly Monitor column reports on a nascent investment trend-international-stock funds' outperformance versus U.S. stock funds.

This newsletter was compiled by WSJ Reports editor Brian Hershberg. Read the full report here .

How to Prepare for What's Next With the SALT Deduction Cap

Whether the deduction limit on state and local taxes is raised, eliminated or extended, there are ways to minimize your tax burden.

Plan Now to Avoid a Tax Bomb if You've Received Student-Loan Forgiveness

There are 19 states that may tax your student-loan forgiveness. Here's what to know to avoid a tax bomb in the months ahead.

CONTENT FROM: SMITHFIELD FOODS Smithfield Foods Returns to U.S. Stock Market

Smithfield Foods, Inc., traded on Nasdaq, is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio, we are uniquely positioned to creatively meet the many flavor, occasion and packaging preferences of today's - and tomorrow's - consumers.

Learn more

Stocks Aren't Always a Sure Thing Over the Long Term

Many investors think buying and holding stocks for long periods eventually pays off. Recent research finds that isn't always the case .

How to Navigate Debts Among Friends in the Digital Age

Young Money: The convenience of Venmo and other payment apps has made splitting expenses among friends easier, but it has also introduced etiquette dilemmas such as whether to request exact amounts or round up.

A Downside of Retirement: More Time to Worry About Health

Retirement Rookies: Some forgetfulness comes naturally with age. But it's not always easy to know when you really should worry .

Want to Save More for Retirement? First, Imagine Your Future Self

Retirement savers would do well to picture their ideal retirement, then set the savings goals to achieve it, researchers say. Most people have it backward.

Dollar-Cost Averaging Usually Performs Well, but Watch Out During Down Markets

Dollar-cost averaging is a winning approach to investing most of the time. It might be worth adjusting during down markets, though.

International-Stock Funds Pull Ahead of Their Domestic Counterparts

International stocks , and the funds that buy them, are finally outpacing the U.S. Is it a blip? Plus, a Financial Flashback to the original Nasdaq 5000 a quarter century ago.

In Case You Missed It

Some stories from recent Investing Monthly reports.

The Hidden Costs of Being a Collector Three Places to Get the Best Returns on Your Cash Are We Ready for an RV in Retirement? We Decided to Find Out I'm an Aunt! Now I Just Have to Budget for It About Us

We want to be the first place you go to get ready for the opening bell every day. This newsletter is written and edited by our Markets team. Reach them by replying to any newsletter you receive.

Enjoying this newsletter? Get more from WSJ and support our journalism by subscribing today with this special offer .

This article is a text version of a Wall Street Journal newsletter published earlier today.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 10, 2025 11:39 ET (15:39 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.