Price Cuts | featured news

The Seattle-based Web retailer said the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD with 4G wireless capability will start at $399, down from $499. Amazon reduced the price of the Wi-Fi only version by $30 to $269.

Cheaper e-books from three publishers could return within one to three months, in the wake of a judge's approval this week of the antitrust settlement between the publishers and the Justice Department.

PRICE CUTS: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is trumpeting what it calls a large round of price-cutting on all of its products, including food. The world's largest retailer says it will cut prices on 10,000 items in stages.

THE SKEPTICS: Analysts question whether the changes differ meaningfully from the retailer's usual promotions. They also note Wal-Mart's prices undercut competitors less than they used to.
THE REASON: Analysts say the cuts are Wal-Mart's way of responding to toughened competition. The company's fourth-quarter report showed store traffic dropped.

On Thursday, Microsoft confirmed weeks of speculation by formally announcing a $100 price drop of its Elite model Xbox 360 console, now set at the competitive $299 price point.

Price cuts and tax credits provide a boost.