Investing Insights

How Big Tech's Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities

08 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

0 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A rare group of dividend-paying stocks are standing out for their exceptional qualities. They’ve racked up five straight years of dividend growth...

Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff?

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What’s fueling Wall Street’s optimism? While geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are dominating headlines, US stocks recently hit an a...

Vanguard Wrote the Playbook for Success. Now, It Must Evolve to Stay on Top

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Vanguard redefined investor-first for the better, and it’s aiming to maintain that reputation. Vanguard revolutionized passive investing when it cre...

Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years?

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

These 8 Funds Could Help Steady Portfolios During Rough Markets

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Why Bond Funds Benefit from Active Management

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Active management can still win in the bond market. Opportunities abound for active managers to best their passive peers and benchmarks. And here’s ...

These Top Tech Stocks Can Stand Up to AI Risks

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The stock market has cooled on stocks caught up in the whirlwind of artificial intelligence. Fears over whether AI will disrupt a variety of sector...

2 Cautionary Tales from Private Equity and Private Credit Markets

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Two high-profile cases in the public-private markets are testing boundaries and investors. ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF’s stake in illiquid...

Are You Ready for Tax Day? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You File

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 standar...

Avoid This IRA Distribution Error to Protect Your Retirement Cash

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A distribution from your traditional IRA could cost you if you’re not aware of your responsibilities. Many investors are saving up for their retirem...

Elevate Your 60/40 Portfolio With These Simple Tweaks

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Why REIT ETFs Still Work as Real Estate Slumps

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The struggle of brick-and-mortar real estate has extended into investment portfolios. Elevated inflation and high interest rates have weighed on the r...

3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Emerging-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...

3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their Savings

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 hel...

Beyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing?

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum computing stocks have surged in popularity over the past year, capturing investors’ enthusiasm on the coattails of the artificial intelligen...

How to Generate Steady Income in 2026

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Higher interest rates have ushered in an era where income opportunities abound. That’s following years of parched cash flow streams and low rates, e...

The Market Is All in on the Magnificent Seven. Where Should Investors Look Next?

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 lar...

9 Top ETFs for Income Investors That Stood Out in 2025

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re looking back at three discussions we held earlier this year on Investing Insights about exchange-traded funds that income investors...

Where to Invest in 2026 After This Year’s Market Volatility

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Market volatility has left its imprint in 2025. Turbulence from tariffs, tech, and more have shaken investors’ confidence at times. Many folks looke...

Why Betting Against Nvidia in the AI Arms Race Could Be a Mistake

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Here’s What Your Retirement Spending Rate Should Be in 2026

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 researc...

How ETFs Help You Cut Your Tax Bill

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Tax-Loss Harvesting Isn’t Just for Downturns. Here’s Why

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 per...

Bond ETFs Are Surging in Popularity in 2025. Here Are 5 of the Best

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Investors Still Need to Mind the Gap in Their Funds’ Returns

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The US Dollar Is Weak. Is Your Portfolio at Risk?

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

2025’s Winners and Losers, from Gold to Small Cap Stocks to the 60/40 Portfolio

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

The Stock Market Is Ultraconcentrated, and It Could Get Worse. Here’s How to Manage the Risks.

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 anytim...

New Crypto ETFs Are Coming. Here's How Investors Can Prepare

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

How Inflation, AI, and Budget Battles Will Shape the Stock Market in Q4

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Is Your Dividend Income at Risk? Here’s How to Spot Dividend Traps

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Should You Hold Cash Investments After the Fed Cuts Interest Rates?

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Stock ETF

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Exchange-traded fund launches have continued to accelerate, but not every shiny new strategy is worth owning. Good investment strategies can compensat...

Investing in AI? Here Are 6 Undervalued Stocks for Buy-and-Hold Investors

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nvidia counts several of its Magnificent Seven pals as customers buying its sophisticated AI chips. And the world’s most valuable company says it co...

Do Dividend Stocks Benefit From Non-US Revenue?

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

This Classic Investment Strategy Is Still Alive in 2025

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

These 16 Standout Funds Are Making Big Bets. Do They Fit in Your Investment Portfolio?

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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—...

Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now)

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fixed-income investors, bonds are rising to the occasion and looking attractive again. Their yields are higher, and they have delivered as diversifier...

Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is Good

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how covered-call ETFs work along with the popular investm...

This Dividend Investing Strategy Deserves a Second Look

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Arnott, portfolio strategist for Morningstar Inc., discusses how a popular dividend investing strategy works, and who would or wouldn’t benefit ...

Market Volatility: Is Your Investment Portfolio Ready for a US-EU Trade Deal?

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Field, European Market Strategist at Morningstar Holland, talks about tariff risks for key sectors and European stock performance as market vo...

Market Volatility: 4 Key Factors to Track in Q3 2025

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc’s senior markets reporter, discusses the uncertain outlook for the third quarter and how investors should prepare for ...

Is the International Outlook Brighter Than the US?

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two Morningstar research leaders join Investing Insights to discuss whether US investors should consider international stocks and fixed income. They a...

Digital Advice in 2025: What You Need to Know About Robo-Advisors

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lan Tran, manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses the benefits and limitations of digital investment advice. Plus, a loo...

Demystifying Private Equity and Private Credit ETFs: What Every Investor Should Know

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan Armour, director of ETF and passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar Research Services, discusses private equity ETFs and pr...

Market Volatility: Portfolio Diversification Is Winning in 2025

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses the success of the 60/40 portfolio and how diversification is paying off during market vo...

13 Elite Companies With Fast-Growing Dividends

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Harrell, editor of Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter, talks about the dividend stocks that earned a spot on the newsletter’s annual ...

Market Volatility: The Stock Strategies That Are Paying Off in 2025

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist and columnist, explains how factor investing works. And he discusses which stocks outperformed and under...

Worried About Inflation? What to Know Before Buying TIPS ETFs

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how TIPS ETFs work, their performance in 2025, and what to c...

Market Volatility: The Trade Deals That Could Calm Wall Street

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management’s Wealth group, discusses how trade talks over tariffs could ...

Berkshire Hathaway's Annual Meeting Could Reveal Its Future Plans. Here's What We're Watching For.

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gregg Warren, senior analyst with Morningstar Research Services, discusses the succession, dividend, and stock portfolio questions he would ask at thi...

Retirees: Here's How to Tweak the 4% Rule to Protect Your Nest Egg

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses why her team’s starting safe withdrawal rate is more conservative than the popular 4% r...

Market Volatility: Which Investments Will Protect Your Portfolio in a Recession?

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses which investments have performed best and worst in past recessions. Gold prices are risin...

Market Volatility: What Lies Ahead in Trump's Trade War

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses the escalating US-China trade war, the 90-day tariff...

Market Volatility: What to Watch in Q2 After Big Swings in Q1

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc. senior markets reporter, discusses the market volatility in the first quarter of 2025 and the portfolio strategy that p...

Does It Pay to Copy Congress' Stock Trades?

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Zach Evens, a passive strategies analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses two ETFs that use data from Unusual Whales to track congressiona...

Can Healthcare Stocks Keep Outperforming the Market?

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Anderson, director of healthcare equity research for Morningstar Research Services, discusses the forces shaping the landscape and where she see...

Worried About a Market Sell-Off? These 10 Funds Reduce Portfolio Risk

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Russ Kinnel, senior principal of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, researched which alternative, equity, and value funds could provide a good...

Gray Divorce: How to Avoid Triggering a Costly Tax Bill

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sheryl Rowling, editorial director for financial advice at Morningstar Inc, discusses the financial and tax issues that could come up during and after...

Why the Bond Market Looks Brighter Than It Did in 2022

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Lefkovitz, strategist for Morningstar Indexes, talks about what he finds noteworthy in the bond market today. Philip Straehl, chief investment off...

Where to Find Bargain Stocks in an Expensive Market

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Harrell, editor of Morningstar’s StockInvestor newsletter, investigated stock valuation trends from a watchlist with 120 names across the mark...

These 4 Dividend ETFs Strike the Right Balance for Income Investors

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, explains how dividend income and dividend g...

Vanguard Fee Cuts May Be Small, But They’re a Win For Investors

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Sotiroff, a senior manager research analyst for Morningstar, explains how lower fees on dozens of Vanguard investments will likely benefit both in...

How Inflation, Tariffs, and More Could Impact Your Finances in 2025

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, his outlook for...

Introducing The Morning Filter

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Follow The Morning Filter on Apple Podcast to hear new episodes on Monday mornings.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-morning-filter/id17922800...

Why Inflation Still Poses a Risk to Stocks and Bonds in 2025

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, explains why the markets are closely watching inflation and what some forecasters expect. Seth Goldste...

Active ETFs vs Mutual Funds: What to Know Before Picking a New Fund

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Russ Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, compares open-end funds and actively managed ETFs from Fidelity, T. Rowe Price, an...

It's Getting Easier to Invest in Private Assets. What Does That Mean for Investors?

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Shannon, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how fund companies are looking to put private assets in the...

Where Investors Can Find the Highest Bond Yields in 2025

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses where to find the highest bond yields this year and ...

How the Fed's Surprise Outlook Adds to Market Uncertainty for 2025

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Lauricella, Morningstar Inc global markets editor, explains why the market reacted poorly to the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook. The Sm...

How to Diversify Your Portfolio to Handle a Market Correction

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Russel Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, discusses large growth’s impressive run in 2024 and why it might be time to re...

What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist at Morningstar Investment Management, discusses why long-term yields spiked in the wake of the electi...

Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, discusses the ins and outs of tax-loss selling and where investo...

What You’re Getting Wrong About Dividend Investing

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Harrell, editor of Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter, makes the case for dividend investing. However, he also points out the pitfalls,...

A Simpler Medicare Part D Is Coming. Here's How It Could Save You Money

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Miller, Morningstar contributor, talks about the new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for Medicare Part D coming in 2025. Plus, learn what you should kno...

A Better Way to Use Leverage in Your ETF Portfolio

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, talks about the best way for most retail in...

How to Retire: Understand and Plan for Long-Term Care

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

Apple Earnings Are on Deck. Will Apple Intelligence Help Drive iPhone Sales?

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Katie Binns, director of product management for Morningstar Indexes, discusses bank loans’ benefits even as interest rates are expected to fall. Wil...

How to Retire: Prioritize Tax Planning in Retirement

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

Is Your Portfolio Built to Withstand a Market Rotation?

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist, discusses why it’s important to be ready for a range of outcomes during a market rotation. Nic Owens,...

How to Retire: Transition from Saving to Spending

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

Inherited IRA Rules: What You Need to Know Before 2025

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Secure Act ConcernsRules for Traditional and Roth IRAs and Changes for Inherited IRAsWill Beneficiaries Need to Withdraw RMDs Every Year?Do People Who...

How to Retire: Consider a Retirement Bucket Portfolio Strategy

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

How to Find the Best Health Savings Account

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Morningstar Inc editor Margaret Giles discusses the triple-tax-benefits of HSAs, how they compare to other tax-advantaged accounts, and whether you ca...

How to Retire: Know What ‘Enough’ Means in Retirement

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

How GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic Are Boosting Biopharma Stocks

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Andersen, biotechnology strategist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses what GLP-1 drugs’ demand means for the biopharma industry’s ...

How to Retire: Stay Flexible with Your Retirement Spending

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

Is the Fed’s Plan to Avoid a Recession Working?

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses why the Federal Reserve made an aggressive interest-rate cut now. A...

How to Retire: Understand the Role of Working Longer

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retireme...

Don't Overlook These Crucial Parts of Your Retirement Plan

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist, explains how following the money can reveal how exposed your portfolio is to geopolitical risks. Christ...

Boating Season Is Over, but Don't Overlook These Recreational Vehicle Stocks

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Senior equity analyst Jaime Katz with Morningstar Research Services discusses consumer demand for recreational vehicles and the impact interest rate c...

5 Ways to Improve America’s Retirement Savings

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why the Employment Retirement Income Security Act Has Been SuccessfulHow Well Workers from Upper, Middle, and Lower Incomes are Saving for RetirementR...

Mutual Funds Turn 100. Can Investors Still Count on Them?

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Russ Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, discusses mutual funds’ greatest achievement and their competition against ETFs....

Too Many Investment Accounts? Here’s How to Reduce the Clutter

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

3 Reasons Why Investors Should Streamline Their AccountsHow Low Can You Go with Retirement Accounts?How You Can Consolidate Tax-Deferred AccountsConso...

Now’s the Time to Diversify Beyond Magnificent Seven Stocks

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, discusses why investors should consider div...

3 Asset Classes That Could Raise Your Portfolio’s Risk Level

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Arnott, a portfolio strategist for Morningstar Inc., explains why asset classes like REITs and high-yield bonds may raise a portfolio’s overall ...

Why Picking Top Stocks Is Not Enough

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Shannon, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how often active fund managers succeeded in picking top sto...