Investing Insights

Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist, explains how following the money can reveal how exposed your portfolio is to geopolitical risks. Christine Benz, Morningstar Inc director of personal finance, is the author of the new book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. Benz joins Investing Insights to discuss her new book and how to avoid easy-to-miss pitf...

Senior equity analyst Jaime Katz with Morningstar Research Services discusses consumer demand for recreational vehicles and the impact interest rate cuts could have on the industry. She breaks down Morningstar's outlook for Polaris and Malibu Boats, two undervalued manufacturers that have long-term growth potential. How Consumer Demand in the Recreational Vehicle Industry Has Evolved What Factors...

Why the Employment Retirement Income Security Act Has Been Successful How Well Workers from Upper, Middle, and Lower Incomes are Saving for Retirement Retirement Savings by Race and Ethnicity How the Government and Employers Could Expand 401(k) Coverage   Improving Social Security   Would a National Retirement Savings Plan Replace Current Employer Plans? Do Investors Need Fiduciary Protections lik...

Russ Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, discusses mutual funds’ greatest achievement and their competition against ETFs. Mutual Fund Industry Outlook How This Law Protects Investors Investing in Mutual Funds Mutual Fund Market Timing Scandal   How Mutual Funds Can Stay Competitive to ETFs Competition from Crypto ETFs Are Mutual Funds a Good Investment? Mutual Funds’ Gre...

3 Reasons Why Investors Should Streamline Their Accounts How Low Can You Go with Retirement Accounts? How You Can Consolidate Tax-Deferred Accounts Consolidate Retirement Accounts with the Same Provider The Week Ahead in Markets Here's What to Expect from Macy’s Upcoming Earnings What Investors Want to Hear from Macy’s CEO What Tanked Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management’s Offer to M...

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, discusses why investors should consider diversifying beyond Magnificent Seven  stocks. Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, explains what caused the sharp stock market selloff. Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, explores whether the Federal Res...

Amy Arnott, a portfolio strategist for Morningstar Inc., explains why asset classes like REITs and high-yield bonds may raise a portfolio’s overall level of risk. She also discusses which areas investors should consider when building a diversified portfolio. Benefits of Diversifying Beyond U.S. Stocks and Bonds Which Asset Classes Didn’t Move in the Opposite Direction of Stocks? International Stoc...

Jack Shannon, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how often active fund managers succeeded in picking top stocks. He also explains whether this information can help investors find better funds. Are Fund Managers Good at Making Big Stock Bets? Fund Managers’ Hit Rates Active Fund Managers’ vs. Passive Index Fund Managers’ Stock Picking Performance   How an A...

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc. markets reporter talks about what is driving the AI market rally, and what’s next for AI and the Fab Five. Sean Dunlop, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how AI can innovate the restaurant industry. Travis Miller, energy and utilities strategist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how utilities are powering AI through data c...

Manager research analyst Lan Tran with Morningstar Research Services breaks down the strategy of the Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF, how investors can take advantage of what it has to offer, and whether this fund is worth the hype. What Makes BOXX ETF Stand Out   What is a Box Spread?   Tax Advantages  Is BOXX ETF Delivering on its Promises? Will BOXX ETF Attract Investors If Cash Yields Drop?...

Morningstar Research Services’ Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America; Ryan Jackson, senior manager research analyst; and Daniel Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst discuss what’s driving the rapid of growth active ETFs and how their tax efficiency and lower costs make them an easy win for investors. The team joins host Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc. markets...

Tom Lauricella, Morningstar’s global markets editor and Smart Investor newsletter editor, discusses how a strong economy has defied expectations, why it’s still worthwhile to invest in bonds, and what to watch for in the second half of 2024. How is the Market Reacting to the Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Forecast? Will the Economy Get a Soft Landing? Nvidia is Driving the Stock Market’s Bull Run...

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc. markets reporter, discusses why the stock market is up today and what could cause it to fall. Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, explains why he thinks the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates more than once in 2024. Should You Invest in Spot Ether ETFs? Lululemon on Track Despite Slowdown in Americas The Fed’s Inflation Outlo...

Amy Arnott, portfolio strategist for Morningstar Inc, discusses why the classic 60/40 investment strategy beat a more diversified portfolio in 2023, and the positive that can come from interest-rate pivots. The Benefits of Portfolio Diversification   How Does the 60/40 Portfolio Hold Up Against a Portfolio with More Asset Classes? Why the Well-Diversified Portfolio Struggled in 2023 Is it Worth it...

Jack Shannon, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about the mania around Destiny Tech 100 and how much investors are paying to own the closed-end fund compared with what it’s worth. Margaret Giles, Morningstar Inc editor, discusses how life-stage investing can help pre-retirees and retirees map their priorities. Nvidia’s 10-for-1 Stock Split Target’s Weak Sales...

David Harrell is the editor of Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter. He’s also a miles and points enthusiast. He shares what he’s learned from his credit card points journey, including that miles and points aren’t so-called free money. Credit Card Points How Do Travel Credit Cards Work? Why Did Credit Card Companies Start Offering Rewards? Why Have Credit Card Programs Become a Part of Airlin...

Denise Appleby, IRA Quick Reference Guide author known as The IRA Whisperer, clears up the confusion about what the IRS waived concerning inherited IRAs in 2024. Travis Miller, energy and utilities strategist for Morningstar Research Services, talks about how the artificial intelligence boom is driving data center demand. He also points to 2 cheap utility stocks expected to benefit.   Disney’s Imp...

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, discusses how today’s market volatility could benefit investors who are focused on long-term investing. Mark Miller, Retirement Reboot author, calls the Medicare changes in 2024 at the pharmacy counter “the best news that few people seem to know about.”     Apple’s Weak 2024 but Optimism for 2025 Amazon’s Impressive First Quarter Eli Lilly’s Better-T...

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, explains why Apple and Tesla are diverging from the rest of the Magnificent Seven stocks. Also, details into a first ever dividend from Alphabet. Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses why the Federal Reserve left higher interest rates in place and is changing its bond holdings. Alphabet’s First Dividend Bo...

Netflix’s Incredible First Quarter   United Flew Just Above Morningstar’s Expectations   An Investing Guide for Every Life Stage What is Life-Stage Investing? Early Career Accumulation When Would Roth Accounts Make Sense for an Investor? Why Mid-Career Accumulation Can Be More Complicated Financial Priorities of Mid-Career Accumulators Covered-Call ETFs and Passive Strategies   How Do Covered Call...

Sheryl Rowling, editorial director for financial advice for Morningstar Inc, talks about four strategies to practice tax-efficient investing all year. Morningstar Sustainalytics’ director of stewardship Jackie Cook discusses three climate change resolutions this proxy-voting season, including one on Bank of America’s ballot. Tesla Appears It’s Focusing on Profits JPMorgan Chase Keeps Outlook Stead...

Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about why companies are focusing on sports streaming as competition heats up. Plus, the path they could take to improve their financial situations. Netflix’s Dominance   Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Sports-Focused Streaming Service How Companies Can Expand into Streaming The Role of Sports in Streaming...

Dan Sotiroff and Todd Trubey, senior manager research analysts for Morningstar Research Services, discuss what makes a great dividend fund, the trade-offs that are costing some investors, and the risks to watch for. Dividend Income, Dividend Growth, and Dividend Income and Growth Dividend Fund Risks Should Dividend Yield Be a Top Priority?  Dividend Funds vs Passive Options  What Advantage Do Acti...

John Rekenthaler, vice president of research for Morningstar Research Services, explains how Morningstar’s study confirmed the 4% retirement rule and discusses why it’s important for new retirees to be flexible with their spending. Six Retirement Withdrawal Strategies that Stretch Savings What Has Changed with Retirement Withdrawal Rates? Trade Offs to a Conversative Start with Your Portfolio Risk...

David Harrell, editor of Morningstar DividendInvestor newsletter, explains why some income-focused investors may skip adding two new dividend stocks, Meta and Salesforce, to their portfolios. Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, talks about why he expects more rate cuts than the Federal Reserve’s projections. Adobe’s Strong Q1 & Disappointing Forecast Do Salesfo...