Investing Insights
A thoughtful look at investing opportunities and risks beyond the market headlines, plus personal finance and retirement tips, from Morningstar.
Episodes
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 trading. Could new competition push do...
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 inflation. The Fed cut interest ra...
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 risks.
Both healthcare and consumer d...
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 horizon for your financial goals. Morn...
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 should look out for. Dan is a senior m...
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 stocks left today? Dave Sekera is ch...
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 well-known names generate sizable r...
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-and-true approach lessened the pai...
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 Research Services. And he’s here t...
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, hedge against inflation risks, or simpl...
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 manager research analyst explains wh...
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 types of trade-offs are investo...
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 dividends in a taxable vs a tax-def...
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 for these two sides to strike a deal?...
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 Volatility
Mixed Expectations as Trump’s Tariff Deadline Approaches
How Should Investors Prepare Themselves for Market Volatility?
How Tariff Uncertainty Could Affect Company Earnings
How Trump’s Tax and Spending Bill Raises Concerns Abou...
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 Been Handling Volatility in 2025
Why ...
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 Advisors
Who Should Use a Robo-Advisor?
Benefits of Digital Investment Advice vs. a DIY Approach
Do Robo-Advisors Offer Retirement and Taxable Accounts?
Limitations of Robo-Advisors
Robo-Ad...
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 Investments Work?
Why Access to Pri...
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 2025
Which 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 Investors Still Turn to Fixed Income Dur...
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 Dividends
This part of the episode includes a correction: In an earlier version...
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