Investing Insights
A thoughtful look at investing opportunities and risks beyond the market headlines, plus personal finance and retirement tips, from Morningstar.
Episodes
New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution
New exchange-traded funds are sprouting up quickly. In 2025, more than 1,000 ETFs launched. The crop included promising funds as well as those taking on unnecessary risks. The field could expand soon to include hundreds of riskier ETFs. As investment choices evolve, how can everyday investors spot what’s a good fit for their portfolio? Dan Sotiroff is the associate director of US passive strategi
Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Can Backfire
Will you give yourself permission to fully enjoy your nest egg? Many retirees spent years saving to enjoy this chapter of their lives, but when they finally get there, a lot of them hold back. Of course, lavish spending can be a problem in retirees' golden years. But so can not spending enough! New Morningstar research has found retirees often withdraw their money very conservatively, even when th
Why Do Active Funds Lag Even With Winning Picks?
Picking winning stocks is just part of the battle to beat an index. Active managers make investing moves when opportunities arise or dry up. They also rely on a team of analysts and state-of-the-art tools to help them uncover the next big investment idea. Yet, an in-depth dive into the top 100 largest active US stock funds reveals most active managers earn lower returns than their index. So, what
Target-Date Funds With Annuities Are Gaining Ground. Is That Good for Your Retirement Plan?
Guaranteed income in retirement sounds pretty nice, but what are the trade-offs to make it happen? Several big asset managers offer target-date funds with built-in annuities. However, it's difficult to compare one against another because their strategies tend to differ. And retail annuities' dubious reputation has set up a hurdle for mass adoption. But recent important developments could clear the
AI ETFs Are on the Rise. Are They Worth the Risk?
It's hard to escape the artificial intelligence hype. It's everywhere. Companies are adopting AI into their processes. Many people are talking to chatbots. And investors are making bets on which firms or themes will win. But do you need to own an AI ETF to benefit from the boom? Or do you already have enough exposure? Morningstar's associate director of US passive strategies research Dan Sotiroff
Don’t Leave Tax Savings on the Table: How to Conduct a Midyear IRA Checkup
Consider getting your IRA in shape this summer instead of waiting for the calendar to flip to next year. A midyear checkup could help you optimize your retirement account to benefit from its tax advantages sooner than later. Morningstar's FundInvestor newsletter has highlighted investment ideas for folks who want to keep it simple, maximize tax advantages, or strive for capital appreciation. Morni
What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026
Market volatility tends to challenge investors' willpower to stick to their plan. That's understandable because it tends to be easier to say you will focus on the long-term until uncertainty emerges. Geopolitics and artificial intelligence stirred up their share of highs and lows in 2026. What lessons can you learn from past market-moving events to stay invested? And where are the opportunities in
Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth
There's just something about dividends. The popular investing strategy attracts retirees and other investors who need regular cash payouts, as well as those who like the tangible return dividends represent, even if they are reinvesting those distributions back into their portfolio. But what are the tradeoffs, and are they worth it? It depends on who you ask.
From the pages of the Q2 2026 issue of
Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete?
Bryan Armour, Morningstar’s director of ETF and passive strategies research for North America, and Dan Sotiroff, Morningstar’s associate director of US passive strategies research, explain why ETFs and collective investment trusts or CITs are challenging mutual funds.
How Active ETFs Are Reshaping Fund Fees
On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:30 How ETFs and mutual funds are alike and diffe
Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs
2026 is the year of the mega-IPO. SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI are working their way through the pipeline as anticipation builds for their blockbuster debuts. Elon Musk’s conglomerate is leading the shift from private to public markets. Demand is appearing to skyrocket to buy the companies the moment their stocks are publicly available. But is that the right move if you’re investing for the long
The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You
Don't underestimate the benefits of portfolio diversification. A well-diversified portfolio can ride waves of market volatility, and new Morningstar research found that's what happened in 2025. When uncertainty emerged at times during the generally bullish market, the report identifies which asset classes performed well, which didn't, and how the classic 60/40 portfolio fared. So, what are the big
The Best Opportunities for Fund Investors Today
Morningstar stamps what it thinks about a fund’s future with this Medalist Rating. You’ve probably seen a star with the word Gold, Silver, or Bronze next to a fund you were researching on Morningstar.com. This represents the fund’s Morningstar Medalist Rating. The manager research team recently reworked and simplified how they judge funds to create a simpler process for investors to understand. Th
Will Vacation Inflation Affect Your Summer Travel? Here’s What to Know
Macroeconomic conditions are squeezing US airlines and travelers just in time for the summer travel season.
Higher fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East are pushing up ticket prices. The latest Consumer Price Index report showed fares rose by about 3% in April. Meanwhile, choices for cheap seats decreased when Spirit Airlines went out of business in May. The ultra low-cost carrier bla
Bond ETF Flows Just Flipped. Here's What It Means for You
ltrashort bond funds are experiencing highs and lows this year.
They racked up a record $24 billion monthly inflow in March. But their fortunes reversed in April. Investors yanked out $1.6 billion. It was the biggest monthly outflow for the category in about two years. Ultrashort bond funds and similar fixed-income investments attract investors seeking a safe haven. They also generate cash and
How Big Tech's Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities
Is a global debt emergency on the horizon?
Big Tech’s bond-issuing spree is helping to pay for its massive artificial intelligence buildout. And it’s not expected to slow down this year. Meanwhile, the US federal deficit has swelled to about $39 trillion, according to the US Treasury Department. That’s raising red flags about the potential impact on the Treasuries market. Government and corpora
10 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises
A rare group of dividend-paying stocks are standing out for their exceptional qualities. They’ve racked up five straight years of dividend growth of 10% or more. And they’ve passed several rigorous checks. Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter editor David Harrell dug into the data to identify this year’s class of Dividend Growers.
Subscribe to Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter.
On th
Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff?
What’s fueling Wall Street’s optimism? While geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are dominating headlines, US stocks recently hit an all-time high. The global oil shock is just one major disruption to rattle investors before receding this year. The enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence boom also waned in early 2026. So, what should investors make of the market’s fluctuating mood? To
Vanguard Wrote the Playbook for Success. Now, It Must Evolve to Stay on Top
Vanguard redefined investor-first for the better, and it’s aiming to maintain that reputation. Vanguard revolutionized passive investing when it created the first retail index fund. The behemoth asset manager continues to attract swells of everyday investors and money with headline-making fee cuts that put pressure on rivals to follow suit. But Vanguard is also seeking to develop an edge in new ar
Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years?
Will Vanguard’s next 50 years live up to its first half century? The popular investment firm counts millions of everyday investors among its clients. Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji joined the firm from its rival, BlackRock. Ramji is influencing Vanguard’s direction while keeping the overall mission intact. But the company continues to evolve under the new leadership, with a greater emphasis on advice an
These 8 Funds Could Help Steady Portfolios During Rough Markets
Too many funds and stocks in a portfolio can create clutter and make rebalancing time-consuming. Allocation funds such as balanced funds can make it easier to stay diversified and invested during market volatility. That’s because these funds automatically rebalance, moderating big gains and losses. And the funds can provide exposure to more than one security type and market. Russ Kinnel, senior pr
Why Bond Funds Benefit from Active Management
Active management can still win in the bond market. Opportunities abound for active managers to best their passive peers and benchmarks. And here’s why: they have access to tools, asset classes, and flexibility that their competition does not. Right now, the bond market is ripe for them to succeed. A deep dive in Morningstar Magazine’s first quarter 2026 issue makes the case why everyday investors
These Top Tech Stocks Can Stand Up to AI Risks
The stock market has cooled on stocks caught up in the whirlwind of artificial intelligence. Fears over whether AI will disrupt a variety of sectors have triggered big sell-offs. Morningstar equity analysts have investigated 132 companies to determine whether that’s the case. They have concluded that AI is not a universal destroyer. The team thinks investors should sort through the wreckage and fi
2 Cautionary Tales from Private Equity and Private Credit Markets
Two high-profile cases in the public-private markets are testing boundaries and investors. ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF’s stake in illiquid holdings, including SpaceX, has apparently run afoul SEC rules. Meanwhile, a high-flying alternative assets manager has changed the rules for returning investors’ cash from one of its funds. And Blue Owl Capital is now facing backlash.
Lessons From a
Are You Ready for Tax Day? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You File
Tax day is quickly approaching, and it’s time to get organized. New tax rules might make it worth your while to itemize rather than take the standard deduction this year. And don’t just file away your 1099 forms—they can offer valuable insight into your portfolio’s tax efficiency. Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, discusses what you need to conside
Avoid This IRA Distribution Error to Protect Your Retirement Cash
A distribution from your traditional IRA could cost you if you’re not aware of your responsibilities. Many investors are saving up for their retirement in workplace accounts like 401(k)s. Those administrators handle tasks that IRA custodians don’t. And it’s up to you to take charge and keep track of your hard-earned money, so you’re not taxed twice. Denise Appleby is known as “The IRA Whisperer.”
Elevate Your 60/40 Portfolio With These Simple Tweaks
The 60/40 portfolio has proven it’s here to stay, but it can benefit from a refresh like other classics. The total portfolio approach refines the 60/40. It takes a closer look at the components of the plain-vanilla portfolio and considers how risky they are. The goal is to help investors stay disciplined as market conditions change for the better or worse. Jason Kephart has written about the total
Why REIT ETFs Still Work as Real Estate Slumps
The struggle of brick-and-mortar real estate has extended into investment portfolios. Elevated inflation and high interest rates have weighed on the real estate sector over the past few years. Real estate investment trusts or REIT ETFs have not been spared. Yet these exchange-traded funds are popular among income investors. They generate cash and can help diversify a portfolio. So, where do they f
How to Make the Most of Your IRA in 2026
Thanks to its tax benefits, your IRA can be a powerful tool to optimize your portfolio. Investment firms often see a big influx of new contributions into individual retirement accounts in the early part of each year as investors rush to meet the April 15 deadline. If you’re one of the many investors adding new funds to your IRA, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning Ch
3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally
merging-market funds will have a tough act to follow in 2026. The category racked up big gains last year following small returns for years. And a mix of factors like trade tensions prompted many investors to shift their dollars outside the US. Should you add emerging-market funds to your portfolio? And which ones were winners or losers? Morningstar’s senior principal of ratings Russ Kinnel dug int
How New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their Savings
If you’re newly retired or will join the ranks soon, it’s time to think about how you plan to spend your nest egg. Morningstar researchers are helping new retirees figure out where to begin. The recently published State of Retirement Income report concluded that the starting safe withdrawal rate for people beginning their retirement in 2026 is 3.9%. That number might appear low. However, the team
Beyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing?
Quantum computing stocks have surged in popularity over the past year, capturing investors’ enthusiasm on the coattails of the artificial intelligence boom. These buzzy names took off last summer after a slew of announcements and research breakthroughs from the biggest players in the tech industry like Alphabet GOOGL/GOOG, Amazon AMZN and Microsoft MSFT. Quantum computing promises to be one of the
How to Generate Steady Income in 2026
Higher interest rates have ushered in an era where income opportunities abound. That’s following years of parched cash flow streams and low rates, especially in fixed income. However, risks like stubborn inflation and elevated stock valuations exist. Morningstar researchers believe it’s important to identify income opportunities that could be resilient in today’s market. Dominic Pappalardo, chief
The Market Is All in on the Magnificent Seven. Where Should Investors Look Next?
Is your portfolio making a big bet on the Magnificent Seven? Mega-cap names like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Apple belong to the exclusive club that has largely driven US returns higher in recent years. Their success has led to market concentration. Portfolios tracking broad benchmarks have seen their diversification decrease and risk increase. How can you prepare your portfolio to absorb potential shoc
9 Top ETFs for Income Investors That Stood Out in 2025
This week, we’re looking back at three discussions we held earlier this year on Investing Insights about exchange-traded funds that income investors might find attractive. Morningstar ETF specialists, Bryan Armour and Dan Sotiroff, talked about dividend, bond, and covered-call ETFs in 2025.Subscribe to Morningstar’s ETFInvestor Newsletter.On this episode:00:00:00 Welcome00:01:33 Dividend investing
Where to Invest in 2026 After This Year’s Market Volatility
Market volatility has left its imprint in 2025. Turbulence from tariffs, tech, and more have shaken investors’ confidence at times. Many folks looked for safety during those down periods. Yet, the US stock market overall has delivered a strong performance. So, who are the leaders and laggards as this year comes closer to wrapping up? And what should you watch with 2026 fast-approaching? Morningsta
Why Betting Against Nvidia in the AI Arms Race Could Be a Mistake
A shift in mindset can help investors cope with market uncertainty.2025 was a case study in the futility of trying to predict the market. Wall Street had lofty expectations for stocks entering the year. Then the tariff shock in April rattled the markets and many firms lowered their annual stock forecasts in response. They later raised them—after stock prices rebounded. With the new year on the hor
Here’s What Your Retirement Spending Rate Should Be in 2026
Most retirees want to spend as much as they can without having to worry about running out of money. Morningstar’s State of Retirement Income research analyzes retirement spending strategies to determine the highest safe starting withdrawal rate for new retirees in 2026. Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning and co-host of The Long View podcast, breaks d
How ETFs Help You Cut Your Tax Bill
Exchange-traded funds can help you cut your tax bill. All funds must distribute capital gains from the stocks and bonds that they sell throughout the year. The gains can leave you stuck with unwanted taxes. ETFs and mutual funds differ when it comes to tax efficiency. It starts with how the investments are traded and how the transactions are treated. The differences can result in ETF investors owi
Tax-Loss Harvesting Isn’t Just for Downturns. Here’s Why
Your portfolio might be due for an end-of-the-year cleanup. The Morningstar US Market Index is up about 15% through mid-November 2025, and overall performance has been strong for years (even after 2022’s down market). That said, some stock sectors have performed significantly better than others, and performance can vary widely even within a sector. That could mean you’relikely holding some winners
Bond ETFs Are Surging in Popularity in 2025. Here Are 5 of the Best
Investors are betting big on bond exchange-traded funds. Hundreds of billions of dollars have poured into bond ETFs in the first nine months of 2025. And more of these strategies have hit the market over the past several years. It’s important to remember that some bond ETFs are riskier than others. What should investors consider before tweaking their portfolio? Dan Sotiroff, a senior manager resea
Investors Still Need to Mind the Gap in Their Funds’ Returns
Are you getting the most out of your fund’s performance? Over the past 10 years, the average dollar invested in US mutual funds and exchange-traded funds earned 1.2% less per year than what those funds returned during the same period. That’s the top-line finding in this year’s Mind the Gap study, which aims to address the question of where investors succeeded in capturing most of their funds’ retu
The US Dollar Is Weak. Is Your Portfolio at Risk?
How is the weakening dollar affecting your portfolio? The world’s reserve currency fell sharply in the first half of 2025, making it a bruising year. It has recovered some but still sits below where it started the year. Other currencies like the euro, Japanese yen, and Mexican peso look stronger against the greenback. Several factors could influence whether the dollar roars back or recedes. Why sh
2025’s Winners and Losers, from Gold to Small Cap Stocks to the 60/40 Portfolio
This year’s uncertainty is producing a somewhat surprising group of winning and losing asset classes. And there are still two months to go in 2025. Many investors are rerouting their investments into different asset classes because of geopolitical risks like the US trade war, elevated inflation, and high interest rates. A more recent development is the budget battle in Washington, D.C. While the m
The Stock Market Is Ultraconcentrated, and It Could Get Worse. Here’s How to Manage the Risks.
Over the past few years, just a few large-cap technology stocks have powered the stock market’s returns. That trend shows no signs of abating anytime soon, as demand for artificial intelligence continues to send the tech sector higher. A highly concentrated market can—and has—turbocharged returns, but it also comes with downsides. As tech stocks soar, fund investors may find themselves with portfo
New Crypto ETFs Are Coming. Here's How Investors Can Prepare
ETF Share Classes Are a Go for Dimensional: Here’s What Investors Need to Know On this episode: What was your reaction to the SEC removing these regulatory hurdles? Let’s first start with the rule change regarding crypto ETFs. Can you explain what new investment choices could be available, and what would they track? How soon could firms release new crypto ETFs? They’re already spot crypto ETFs tra
How Inflation, AI, and Budget Battles Will Shape the Stock Market in Q4
Investors’ exuberance is fueling this year’s stock rally, but will key economic risks dampen the market’s mood? The current bull run has lifted stocks from their springtime lows to higher levels in autumn. The artificial intelligence boom is one of the big factors driving it. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is dealing with the challenging situation of balancing the weakening job market and stubborn
Is Your Dividend Income at Risk? Here’s How to Spot Dividend Traps
It might be tempting to buy dividend stocks with the highest yields, but not all dividend payers are safe. Those big payouts could be signaling that a company’s fundamentals are cracking. Looming financial risks could wreak havoc on income-focused investors’ portfolios. But there are ways to spot dividend traps. Morningstar Indexes strategist and columnist Dan Lefkovitz explains how to avoid the r
Should You Hold Cash Investments After the Fed Cuts Interest Rates?
There’s a tug-of-war between investing in cash and long duration bonds in today’s interest environment. The longer-end of the yield curve may look more appealing since anticipation is building about interest rate cuts. Morningstar’s economics team and market watchers are predicting the Federal Reserve will lower rates more than once in the final months of 2025. What may matter more is the time hor
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Stock ETF
Exchange-traded fund launches have continued to accelerate, but not every shiny new strategy is worth owning. Good investment strategies can compensate investors with an appropriate return for the risks they take on. What kinds of ETFs are able to deliver over the long term, and which ones fall short? Dan Sotiroff is joining me today to explain the hidden risks in stock ETFs and what investors sho
Investing in AI? Here Are 6 Undervalued Stocks for Buy-and-Hold Investors
Nvidia counts several of its Magnificent Seven pals as customers buying its sophisticated AI chips. And the world’s most valuable company says it could earn even more if geopolitical tensions between the US and China eased. But investors are debating whether the market is experiencing an AI boom or AI bubble. How should buy-and-hold investors think about investing in AI—are there any undervalued s
Do Dividend Stocks Benefit From Non-US Revenue?
The revenue of US dividend stocks isn’t necessarily made in America. A portfolio of popular dividend-paying stocks is likely exposed to currency or geopolitical risks. That’s due to international revenue exposure: Some US-based companies earn 50% or more of their money outside of the country. A recent analysis of 35 dividend-paying stocks in Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter found several
This Classic Investment Strategy Is Still Alive in 2025
Is the 60/40 portfolio living up to its reputation of resilience this year? The merit of a classic portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds has been a matter of debate in recent years. A diversified 60/40 strategy failed to protect investors in 2022’s broad market crash—in fact, an all-stock portfolio would have held up better. However, a historical deep dive from Morningstar concluded that the tried
These 16 Standout Funds Are Making Big Bets. Do They Fit in Your Investment Portfolio?
It can sometimes seem like there’s an endless number of mutual funds for you to invest in. But not all of them are a right fit for your portfolio—and some aren’t worthy investments at all. A popular feature from Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter greatly shrinks the list and can help you home in on the winners. Russ Kinnel is the newsletter editor and senior principal of ratings for Morningstar
Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?
Investors are piling into global gold ETFs for a safe haven from uncertainty. Demand surged in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from the World Gold Council. The industry trade group points to geopolitical turmoil, global trade policies, and higher gold prices for driving interest in these ETFs. The lure of investing in gold ETFs can vary from wanting to diversify a portfolio, hedg
Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now)
Fixed-income investors, bonds are rising to the occasion and looking attractive again. Their yields are higher, and they have delivered as diversifiers against stock sell-offs this year. Yet, uncertainty has muddled the outlook as the bond market seeks clarity about tariffs, inflation, and interest rates.Paul Olmsted covers US fixed-income strategies for Morningstar Research Services. The senior m
Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is Good
Daniel Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how covered-call ETFs work along with the popular investment’s risks and rewards. On this episode:What are covered-call ETFs, and how do they work?Why are retirees and other income investors drawn to these ETFs? What’s making them so popular this year?Their yields look very high. What is driving them?What
This Dividend Investing Strategy Deserves a Second Look
Amy Arnott, portfolio strategist for Morningstar Inc., discusses how a popular dividend investing strategy works, and who would or wouldn’t benefit from it. On this episode:Let’s focus on when dividend reinvesting works as a strategy and when it does not. Who should consider reinvesting dividends?When shouldn’t an investor reinvest their dividends?Are there any differences between reinvesting divi
Market Volatility: Is Your Investment Portfolio Ready for a US-EU Trade Deal?
Michael Field, European Market Strategist at Morningstar Holland, talks about tariff risks for key sectors and European stock performance as market volatility persists. On this episode:President Trump pushed his tariff deadline from July to August. How are global markets reacting to the uncertainty during this tariff watch?The EU is one of America’s largest trading partners. How important is it fo
Market Volatility: 4 Key Factors to Track in Q3 2025
Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc’s senior markets reporter, discusses the uncertain outlook for the third quarter and how investors should prepare for market volatility.What Was Surprising From Q2 Market VolatilityMixed Expectations as Trump’s Tariff Deadline ApproachesHow Should Investors Prepare Themselves for Market Volatility?How Tariff Uncertainty Could Affect Company EarningsHow Trump’s Tax and
Is the International Outlook Brighter Than the US?
Two Morningstar research leaders join Investing Insights to discuss whether US investors should consider international stocks and fixed income. They are Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist, and Philip Straehl, chief investment officer for the Americas, for Morningstar Wealth, part of registered investment adviser, Morningstar Investment Management. Key Takeaways:How the Markets Have B
Digital Advice in 2025: What You Need to Know About Robo-Advisors
Lan Tran, manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses the benefits and limitations of digital investment advice. Plus, a look at the best and worst robo-advisors of 2025. What Is a Robo-Advisor?Robo-Advisors vs. Traditional AdvisorsWho Should Use a Robo-Advisor?Benefits of Digital Investment Advice vs. a DIY ApproachDo Robo-Advisors Offer Retirement and Taxable Accounts?
Demystifying Private Equity and Private Credit ETFs: What Every Investor Should Know
Bryan Armour, director of ETF and passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar Research Services, discusses private equity ETFs and private credit ETFs. Armour also previews his session at the 2025 Morningstar Investment Conference featuring two ETF experts.Hear From Experts on Private Asset ETFs at the 2025 Morningstar Investment Conference How Do Private Equity and Private Credit
Market Volatility: Portfolio Diversification Is Winning in 2025
Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses the success of the 60/40 portfolio and how diversification is paying off during market volatility this year.How Diversification Has Held Up Against Market Volatility in 2025Which Asset Classes Have Been Strong Diversifiers in 2025?Which Asset Classes Have Struggled as Diversifiers?How Have US vs. Non-US Stocks Performed in 2025?Can Inves
13 Elite Companies With Fast-Growing Dividends
David Harrell, editor of Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter, talks about the dividend stocks that earned a spot on the newsletter’s annual Dividend Growers list. Harrell also discusses how to approach dividend investing.What Qualifies a Dividend Stock to Be on the DividendInvestor’s Annual Dividend Growers List?13 Elite Companies With Fast-Growing DividendsThis part of the episode includes
Market Volatility: The Stock Strategies That Are Paying Off in 2025
Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist and columnist, explains how factor investing works. And he discusses which stocks outperformed and underperformed during this year’s market volatility. What Is Factor Investing?What Factors Have the Strongest Performance Amid Market Volatility in 2025?Berkshire Hathaway and Other Low-Volatility Stocks Outperformed During Market VolatilityWhy Lower-Vol
Worried About Inflation? What to Know Before Buying TIPS ETFs
Dan Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how TIPS ETFs work, their performance in 2025, and what to consider before buying the treasury inflation-protected securities. Key Takeaways:What Are TIPS?TIPS ETFs vs. TIPSFlows Into TIPS ETFs in 2025 Surprises Morningstar’s ETFInvestor EditorHow TIPS Have Performed Against the Bond Market in 2025How Higher
Market Volatility: The Trade Deals That Could Calm Wall Street
Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management’s Wealth group, discusses how trade talks over tariffs could ripple through the bond market and whether import taxes are the right move for Hollywood movies.Key Takeaways:What a Potential Trade Deal Between the US and UK Means for Market SentimentWhat Countries Need to Strike a Trade Deal to Calm Wall Street?Wha
Berkshire Hathaway's Annual Meeting Could Reveal Its Future Plans. Here's What We're Watching For.
Gregg Warren, senior analyst with Morningstar Research Services, discusses the succession, dividend, and stock portfolio questions he would ask at this year’s Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Warren previously pitched questions as part of the meeting’s analyst panel. Key Takeaways:Morningstar Analyst on Pitching Questions at Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Succession Planning for Berkshire H
Retirees: Here's How to Tweak the 4% Rule to Protect Your Nest Egg
Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses why her team’s starting safe withdrawal rate is more conservative than the popular 4% rule. Plus, a new metric to help determine financial priorities during retirement.How ‘The State of Retirement Income’ Report Helps Investors Know Their Safe Withdrawal RateConservative Estimate for Starting Safe Withdrawal RateWhy Has the Starting Safe
Market Volatility: Which Investments Will Protect Your Portfolio in a Recession?
Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses which investments have performed best and worst in past recessions. Gold prices are rising during the current market volatility. Arnott explains why it might not be the best time to buy the precious metal. Key Takeaways:Why Current Market Volatility May Not Be Ending SoonHow to Keep Yourself Steady During Market VolatilityHow Investors N
Market Volatility: What Lies Ahead in Trump's Trade War
Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses the escalating US-China trade war, the 90-day tariff pause, and raised recession risk during this market volatility.Key Takeaways:What an Escalating Trade War Between the US and China Could MeanMacroeconomic Trends and Rising Deglobalization After Trump’s Tariffs What Trump’s 90-Day Pause on Tariffs
Market Volatility: What to Watch in Q2 After Big Swings in Q1
Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc. senior markets reporter, discusses the market volatility in the first quarter of 2025 and the portfolio strategy that paid off for investors.What’s the Difference Between the Stock Market and the Economy? How Stock Market Trends in 2025 Have Shifted From Last Year Worries About Changes Fanning Market Volatility How Tariffs Could Impact Growth, Inflation, and Consume
Does It Pay to Copy Congress' Stock Trades?
Zach Evens, a passive strategies analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses two ETFs that use data from Unusual Whales to track congressional stock trades. He explains why investors might be drawn to these funds and the potential risks that they face.Key Takeaways:Why Investors May Want to Follow Congressional Stock TradesAre Members of Congress Good at Picking Stocks?The Firms Behind th
Can Healthcare Stocks Keep Outperforming the Market?
Karen Anderson, director of healthcare equity research for Morningstar Research Services, discusses the forces shaping the landscape and where she sees opportunities for investors. Key Takeaways:Why Healthcare Stocks Have Been Resilient During the Market DownturnHow Regulatory Changes Could Affect the Healthcare IndustryWhy Healthcare Stocks’ Valuations Look Attractive From a Bottom-Up ViewHow Ha
Worried About a Market Sell-Off? These 10 Funds Reduce Portfolio Risk
Russ Kinnel, senior principal of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, researched which alternative, equity, and value funds could provide a good hedge during a market sell-off.What is the Downside Capture Ratio? Why Funds with A Low Downside Capture Ratio Make Good Diversifiers How Does a Fund’s Maximum Drawdown Line Up with Its Downside Capture? Why Savers Should Look for Low-Risk Investme
Gray Divorce: How to Avoid Triggering a Costly Tax Bill
Sheryl Rowling, editorial director for financial advice at Morningstar Inc, discusses the financial and tax issues that could come up during and after a gray divorce.Limiting the Financial Impact of a Gray DivorceHow to Budget After DivorceWhat to Do if There’s a Budget Shortfall Social Security Divorce BenefitsGray Divorce Near RetirementWill a New Tax-Filing Status Result in Higher Taxes? How to
Why the Bond Market Looks Brighter Than It Did in 2022
Dan Lefkovitz, strategist for Morningstar Indexes, talks about what he finds noteworthy in the bond market today. Philip Straehl, chief investment officer for the Americas for Morningstar Wealth, a part of registered investment adviser Morningstar Investment Management, explains why employees who own company stock should protect their total wealth.Bond Market in Q1 2025Why Did the 10-Year US Treas
Where to Find Bargain Stocks in an Expensive Market
David Harrell, editor of Morningstar’s StockInvestor newsletter, investigated stock valuation trends from a watchlist with 120 names across the market. He reveals which stocks are relative bargains. The Evolution of the Morningstar Style BoxWhat Is the Value-Growth Score for Stocks?Why Investors Should Look Deeper Than Overall Market TrendsInvestigating Stock Valuation Trends on the Tortoise and H
These 4 Dividend ETFs Strike the Right Balance for Income Investors
Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, explains how dividend income and dividend growth strategies work. He also discusses why four dividend ETFs from Vanguard and Schwab earn top marks.Comparing Income and Growth Dividend ETF StrategiesBlindspots in Dividend ETF InvestingAre Company Payouts Expected to Increase Over Time for Div
Vanguard Fee Cuts May Be Small, But They’re a Win For Investors
Dan Sotiroff, a senior manager research analyst for Morningstar, explains how lower fees on dozens of Vanguard investments will likely benefit both investors and the popular money manager. Plus, we hear from the hosts of our new podcast, The Morning Filter. David Sekera, Morningstar's chief US market strategist, and Susan Dziubinski, an investment specialist at Morningstar Inc., discuss how they c
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