Ownership & classification
Founded: 1997
Ownership
MarketWatch launched on 30 October 1997 as a joint venture between Data Broadcasting Corporation and CBS (originally CBS MarketWatch). Dow Jones & Company acquired it in January 2005 for about $528 million. Dow Jones, and therefore MarketWatch, has been owned since 2007 by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, sitting alongside The Wall Street Journal and Barron's.
Funding
MarketWatch is funded by advertising and digital subscriptions and is integrated into News Corp's Dow Jones financial-news business. It receives no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
MarketWatch is a commercial financial-news site owned by Dow Jones / News Corp, a publicly traded company controlled by the Murdoch family. It has no party or government control and maintains a market-focused, broadly centrist editorial profile, so it is INDEPENDENT (privately/commercially owned).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 359
71/100
Factual
72/100
Objective
417
Articles
417
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Nvidia just showed that the harness, not the AI model, is now the real hero
Nvidia recently released research highlighting that the 'harness', a software framework surrounding an AI model, is more critical than the model itself for executing complex, long-term tasks. Using a custom harness with enhanced memory handling and a supervisory component, researchers achieved a perfect 100% score on the ARC-AGI-3 benchmark, a challenging set of 2D games requiring autonomous problem-solving. In contrast, the same model scored only 30% without the harness. Nvidia emphasizes that the harness, rather than the model alone, enables AI systems to function effectively as agents capable of making sequential decisions over extended periods. This finding challenges the common belief that the model's capabilities define the agent's performance. OpenAI also saw significant improvements in its models' scores after adjusting harness parameters, though none reached the 100% mark.
Eight US States Doug Ford Wants Canada To Target With Tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested that eight U.S. states, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Texas, and Wisconsin, should face additional retaliatory tariffs as part of a trade dispute with the United States. Ford argued these states are politically significant to the current U.S. administration's support base. The call came after trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada collapsed, leading to the suspension of talks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In response, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on many Canadian goods, affecting nearly $20 billion in imports. Carney criticized the move as a 'miscalculation,' noting the deep economic ties between the two nations. Ford emphasized that Ontario would use all available tools to retaliate, urging other provinces to follow suit. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Susan Collins expressed concern that the trade tensions could harm businesses in her home state.
We’re in our 50s and have $1.5 million in traditional 401(k)s. Is it too early to start Roth conversions?
The article features a personal anecdote from an individual in their 50s who has $1.5 million in traditional 401(k) accounts and is considering whether it is too early to begin Roth conversions. The person expresses concern after losing a significant portion of their portfolio with their previous financial advisor, highlighting dissatisfaction with past investment management decisions. The piece does not provide expert advice or detailed financial analysis but raises questions about retirement planning strategies and the timing of Roth conversions. It focuses on personal experience rather than offering comprehensive guidance.
I’m turning 70. Here’s how I’m making this decade the richest of my retirement.
The article discusses an individual's personal approach to transitioning into their 70s, focusing on adjusting financial strategies, work habits, and lifestyle choices to maximize enjoyment and wealth during retirement. The author reflects on shifting from active, goal-oriented 'go-go' years to a more relaxed 'slow-go' phase, emphasizing intentional planning for a fulfilling and financially secure later life.
Trump Says It Was Bessent’s Choice to Intervene in Bond Market
President Donald Trump denied directing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to intervene in the bond market, stating that Bessent took the initiative independently. During a press briefing, Trump emphasized Bessent's capability and autonomy in making the decision. The remarks came after reports suggested the U.S. government may have taken steps to stabilize financial markets by influencing bond yields. Trump's comments underscore the administration's approach to economic management, highlighting the role of senior officials in executing policy decisions.
Harvard’s $699 startup bootcamp offers AI avatars of its instructors
Harvard Business School has introduced AI avatars developed by startup HeyGen into its $699 eight-week Foundry bootcamp for entrepreneurs. These avatars provide personalized feedback during practice pitches and board meetings, replacing traditional instructor-led sessions. New York Times reporter Sarah Kessler tested the system by pitching to an AI-generated avatar of Jeff Bussgang, a co-founder of Flybridge Capital. Both the real Bussgang and his AI counterpart were critical of her idea for an 'Uber for bananas' concept, though the AI version exhibited a frozen smile. Project director Katharina Rings noted that initial expectations for the AI component were lower, akin to a chatbot, but students desired a more interactive experience. While some students express concerns about AI, Foundry participants generally seem to appreciate the avatars, despite Bussgang acknowledging the AI version feels somewhat 'creepy'.
Canadian prime minister suspends trade talks with U.S., setting new 50% tariffs in motion
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations with the United States, triggering the implementation of 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian exports to the U.S. This decision followed weeks of intense discussions aimed at reaching a trade agreement, but disagreements over the terms led to the collapse of talks. Carney stated that the U.S. had made last-minute changes to proposed terms that were deemed 'unfair' and questioned the reliability of any deal. In response, Canada pledged to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods to protect its economy. The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, claimed that Canada had rejected the deal due to new demands and a withdrawal of previous commitments, including ongoing restrictions on American goods and services within Canada.
I hold my mother-in-law’s power of attorney. I’m also her executor and trustee. Do I have too much power over her affairs?
The article features a personal account from an individual who holds multiple roles regarding their mother-in-law's estate, including power of attorney, executor, and trustee. The person expresses concern about having excessive control over their mother-in-law's affairs, raising questions about the balance of authority in such situations. The discussion highlights potential legal and ethical considerations surrounding the concentration of powers in one individual. However, the article does not provide detailed legal advice or explore broader implications of such arrangements.
Global Bond Markets Put Governments On Notice Over Fiscal, Inflation Risks
Global bond markets experienced significant increases in borrowing costs for governments in the U.S., Germany, Japan, and others, driven by rising government debt, geopolitical tensions, and inflation fears. U.S. 30-year bond yields reached levels not seen since 2007, while Japan's 10-year yields hit a three-decade high and Germany's 10-year Bund yield reached a peak since 2011. Analysts warn that the post-financial crisis era of low interest rates and stable inflation may be ending, with increased uncertainty affecting global economic stability. Factors include U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and the surge in corporate borrowing for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Higher yields negatively impact asset prices and increase borrowing costs for businesses and households.
‘She’s desperate’: My friend was laid off and lost her health insurance. How can she find affordable coverage?
The article discusses the financial strain faced by a friend who has been laid off and consequently lost her health insurance. She explored COBRA as an option but found the associated costs to be prohibitively high. The piece highlights the challenges individuals face in obtaining affordable health coverage after losing employment-based benefits.
Move over, credit cards: Social-media stars are tapping magic wands to buy things
The article discusses the growing trend of using tap-to-pay technology, which is being rebranded and integrated with social media platforms like TikTok to create a more personalized shopping experience. This shift reflects changing consumer behaviors and the increasing influence of social media on purchasing decisions.
‘There is considerable tension’: My grandmother, 99, wants to cut my mother out of her will. Should I intervene?
A 99-year-old woman, referred to as 'grandma,' claims that her daughter, the narrator's mother, exerted pressure on her to remove a $50,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) from her will. The situation has created significant family tension, with the grandmother expressing feelings of being coerced. The narrator is now seeking advice on whether they should take action to mediate or intervene in this matter.
Here’s some surprisingly good news for the stock market this midterm election year
The article notes that there is a strong historical pattern of the stock market performing well after midterm elections. It suggests that despite being an election year, investors might see positive market performance based on past trends.