MoneyWatch

Walmart on Tuesday said it’s buying television manufacturer Vizio for $2.3 billion, an acquisition that could help the retailing giant build its advertising and media business. Vizio may be best known for its TV sets, but it also operates the SmartCast Operating System, which has more than 18 million active accounts. The SmartCast system is included in every Vizio TV …

The Biden administration said Monday the government is providing $1.5 billion to the computer chip company GlobalFoundries to expand its domestic production in New York and Vermont. The announcement is the third award of direct financial support for a semiconductor company under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.The law enables the government to invest more than $52 billion to revitalize …

It’s officially tax season, and while you technically have until April 15 to file your tax returns, the time is now to hone your strategy. Will you DIY your return or go to a tax professional? Or, maybe, like millions of Americans, you’ll let tax preparation software — like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxSlayer — guide the way. Don’t wait …

The official start of spring is less than a month away, and some homebuyers are already anticipating a busy season. Historically, spring is an active period for home sales, and this year, some positive economic developments may add fuel to the fire. After spending the better part of two years raising interest rates to curb inflation, the Federal Reserve is …

Air Canada is being held responsible for a discount its chatbot mistakenly promised a customer, the Washington Post reported. The airline must refund a passenger, Jake Moffat, who two years ago purchased tickets to attend his grandmother’s funeral, under the belief that if he paid full price, he could later file a claim under the airline’s bereavement policy to receive …

Presidents Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the third Monday of February, a day set aside to commemorate the birthdays of both President George Washington and President Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, the federal holiday has shifted into a commercial event, with many retailers offering sales on Presidents Day to tempt shoppers to open their wallets after the Christmas …

Gold has been used as an investmentand a form of currency for hundreds of years — and it offers a number of other unique benefits, too. So, it’s hardly surprising that many investors choose toadd gold to their investment portfolios. However, it’s typically best to purchase assets when prices are low and sell them when prices are high. And, it …

When it comes to preparing for retirement, it makes sense to focus on the basics, like maxing out your contributions to your 401(k) or ensuring that your savings are on track with your milestones. But what does not always come to mind is the need to diversify what you’re holding in your retirement portfolio — and overlooking that crucial element …

There’s no question that inflation has had a big impact on many people’s finances over the last few years. Higher inflation means your money can’t stretch as far due to higher prices at the pump, in the grocery store and just about anywhere else you shop. And, when you add in the other economic issues, like elevated borrowing costs, today’s …

Homebuyers waiting for mortgage rates to be reduced may have to wait a few more months. That seemed to be the message this week after the latest inflation reportfrom the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed inflation higher in January than expected. Although that 3.1% rate was lower than December’s 3.4%, it was still more than a full percentage point above …