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Investing Insights: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Morningstar, Ivanna Hampton, Sarah Hansen
A thoughtful look at investing opportunities and risks beyond the market headlines, plus personal finance and retirement tips, from Morningstar.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago12 min
14 Elite Funds and ETFs, and 5 Popular Funds That Just Missed the Mark
The menu of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can appear to go on and on, and it’s probably hard not to feel overwhelmed when you’re researching what works for your portfolio. A popular annual feature in Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter narrows the choices from thousands to about a few dozen. Russ Kinnel has done the hard work for you and is here to share investment ideas from his Thrilling Funds list. He’s the newsletter editor and Morningstar’s senior principal of ratings. Sign up for Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter. On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:11 What's New in Morningstar's FundInvestor Newsletter 00:01:55 How Funds Make the Thrilling Funds List 00:03:43 Large-, Midsize, and Small-Company Funds From Fidelity, Vanguard and More 00:06:22 Bond ETFs, Global Stock Funds, and Municipal Bond Funds That Stand Out 00:08:50 Why Fidelity Contrafund and Other Popular Funds Just Missed the Cut 00:10:02 How Investors Can Find Out How Their Funds Stack Up Against the Criteria Watch more from Morningstar: Why Are Some of the Strongest Stocks Struggling This Year? Don't Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 weeks ago11 min
Why Are Some of the Strongest Stocks Struggling This Year?
Are wide-moat stocks’ struggles a sign of their protection diminishing? That’s the big question from the Q3 issue of Morningstar magazine. Key market moments this year heavily weighed on some stocks with competitive advantages. Why did they stumble? Morningstar magazine Editor-in-Chief Jerry Kerns is returning to Investing Insights to discuss this issue’s cover story. Sign up for a free subscription to Morningstar magazine. On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:06 What Is a Moat and Its Five Sources 00:03:24 Why Examine Wide-Moat Stocks' Performance Now 00:04:12 What's Behind the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index's Rough Stretch? 00:06:59 Are Moats Really a Sign of Quality? 00:07:38 Key Takeaway on Wide-Moat Stocks 00:08:12 Other Highlights from This Quarter's Morningstar Magazine Watch more from Morningstar: Don't Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio 401(k) Millionaires: Here's How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement Follow Morningstar on social: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ https://x.com/MorningstarInc https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 weeks ago15 min
Don’t Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields
Higher bond yields are attracting more attention and more money. US bond ETFs pulled in almost $54 billion in August. Core and core-plus bond ETFs make up about $8.5 billion of that. These funds tend to provide shelter during market storms to ease a portfolio’s rocky moments. They also provide steady and predictable income. As bond rates sit higher than they have in the past, how can you benefit while also taking a conservative approach? Dan Sotiroff is the associate director of US passive strategies research for Morningstar. Why Higher Bond Yields Can Be 'a Great Thing' On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:00:50 How core and core-plus bond ETFs work 00:04:22 Billions flowing into core and core-plus bond ETFs this year 00:05:55 How active fund managers capitalize on higher bond rates 00:08:36 What higher bond yields mean for income investors 00:09:51 Core bond ETFs earning Gold and Silver ratings 00:11:17 Core-plus bond ETFs Morningstar analysts like Watch more from Morningstar: How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio 401(k) Millionaires: Here's How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 4 weeks ago18 min
How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio
he dominance of artificial intelligence is swelling globally. Its massive growth is weighing heavily on stock markets, pressuring bond markets, and even growing to outsized proportions in emerging markets. These developments are increasing concentration risks in everyday investors' portfolios. What should you look for, and how do you guard against the AI surge? Tom Lauricella is Morningstar's chief global markets editor and the editor of the Smart Investor newsletter. Sign up for the Smart Investor newsletter from Morningstar. Markets Brief: Your Portfolio Is More Concentrated Than You Think On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:18 Any signs of the AI stock rally slowing down? 00:02:01 Semiconductor stocks vs. other industries 00:03:11 Concentration risk in emerging-market funds 00:06:33 How AI is blurring lines between growth and value 00:10:34 Big Tech's AI debt binge and the outlook for bond yields 00:14:23 What to know about the Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs Watch more from Morningstar: 401(k) Millionaires: Here's How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Can Backfire Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 28, 202613 min
401(k) Millionaires: Here’s How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement
Becoming a 401(k) millionaire can require decades of hard work and sacrifice. Previously, a seven-figure nest egg shined as the gold standard among retirement planners. But the shine has dulled as a portfolio of that size no longer guarantees the same security. What steps should you take to protect your savings and avoid going broke in retirement? Sheryl Rowling has a list of tips. The certified public accountant is the editorial director of financial advice for Morningstar. Your 7-Figure Retirement Fund Might Not Stretch As Far As You Think. Here’s How to Change That On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:20 Why seven-figure retirement portfolios need extra planning finesse 00:01:58 Why the retirement-to-RMD window matters 00:03:40 How taxpayers can approach the new SALT deduction 00:04:50 Building a cash bucket for market downturns 00:06:15 Retirement money missteps worth avoiding 00:09:41 Shifting asset allocation and key takeaways Watch more from Morningstar: New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Can BackfireWhy Do Active Funds Lag Even With Winning Picks? Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 21, 202615 min
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 strategies research for Morningstar. New ETFs with Sensible Investment Approaches Are Becoming Harder to Find On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:11 How ETFs have evolved since the 1990s 00:02:38 New ETF trends and how providers compete 00:07:34 Risks and costs behind leveraged and inverse ETFs 00:11:04 Promising new ETFs worth a look 00:12:21 What to watch out for 00:13:13 Key takeaways for evaluating new ETFs Watch more from Morningstar: Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Can Backfire Why Do Active Funds Lag Even With Winning Picks? Target-Date Funds With Annuities Are Gaining Ground. Is That Good for Your Retirement Plan? Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 14, 202615 min
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 they're not especially afraid of running out of money. As a result, they might deny themselves a dream vacation or trying new hobbies. So, what's behind it, and how can you learn to spend more in retirement and still live within your means? One of the researchers is Dr. Danielle Labotka, who's a behavioral scientist for Morningstar. Is Your Cautious Retirement Spending Doing More Harm Than Good? On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:02 Why Morningstar researchers studied retirement underspending 00:02:28 How retirees decide how much to spend 00:03:23 Why simple withdrawal strategies generally lead to underspending 00:04:42 What typically happens to retirees' wealth over time 00:05:27 Why cautious spending persists even when retirees can afford more 00:07:37 Three ways to tell if you're underspending in retirement Watch more from Morningstar: Why Do Active Funds Lag Even With Winning Picks? Target-Date Funds With Annuities Are Gaining Ground. Is That Good for Your Retirement Plan? AI ETFs Are on the Rise. Are They Worth the Risk? Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Aug 7, 202613 min
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 are the pros' missteps? And what can everyday investors like you learn from them? Jeff Ptak analyzed years of stock fund data. The managing director of manager research for Morningstar explains what he found. The Biggest Active Stock Funds Picked the Right Stocks. They Still Lagged On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:00:55 What is a hypothetical 'do-nothing' portfolio? 00:02:54 Hits and misses during 2025's strong market 00:04:16 The do-nothing portfolio's performance during up and down years 00:05:17 Hypothetical $10K growth over a decade 00:06:27 How active managers can do a better job of beating their index 00:07:35 Overcoming the urge to make portfolio tweaks Watch more from Morningstar: Target-Date Funds With Annuities Are Gaining Ground. Is That Good for Your Retirement Plan? AI ETFs Are on the Rise. Are They Worth the Risk? Don’t Leave Tax Savings on the Table: How to Conduct a Midyear IRA Checkup Follow Morningstar on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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