MarketWatch was founded in 1997 by Larry Kramer, a veteran journalist and media executive, along with a team of financial journalists and technology experts. The idea behind MarketWatch was to create a digital platform that could provide real-time financial news and market data to individual investors, bridging the information gap between Wall Street professionals and everyday traders. In 2005, Dow Jones & Company acquired MarketWatch, and since 2007, it has been owned by News Corp as part of its Dow Jones subsidiary. Based in New York City, with offices in several major financial centers worldwide, MarketWatch primarily focuses on financial and business news, stock market analysis, and personal finance advice. The website covers a wide range of topics including stock market trends, economic indicators, company earnings reports, and investment strategies. While its core focus is on financial news, MarketWatch also reports on political and economic events that impact global markets, as well as lifestyle and personal finance topics relevant to investors and consumers. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of MarketWatch is its Virtual Stock Exchange (VSE) game, which allows users to simulate stock trading in a risk-free environment. This educational tool, launched in the early days of the website, has been used by numerous schools and universities to teach students about investing and financial markets, making MarketWatch not just a news source but also an interactive learning platform for aspiring investors.