Morningstar Inc editor Margaret Giles discusses the triple-tax-benefits of HSAs, how they compare to other tax-advantaged accounts, and whether you can save too much. Greg Carlson, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, highlights the providers that received Morningstar's top ratings. What is an HSA? Who is Eligible for an HSA? HSA vs FSA How to Maximize the Triple-Tax Benefits of HSAs How Do HSAs Compare to Other Tax-Advantaged Accounts? Can You Save Too Much in an H...
Oct 04, 2024•17 min•Ep. 291
Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retirement in ‘How to Retire,’ the companion podcast to her book of the same name. In this episode, Christine sits down with personal finance expert Manisha Thakor to address the question of “What is enough?” when it comes to retirement. Do You Have Enough Financial Resources to Retire? How Retirement Spending Changes as We Age Planning for Long-Term Care in...
Oct 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 289
Karen Andersen, biotechnology strategist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses what GLP-1 drugs’ demand means for the biopharma industry’s five-year outlook. And whether the weight-loss drugs pose a threat to snack food stocks. Why GLP-1 Drugs Are in Demand Competition Between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly How Expanding the Conditions GLP-1 Drugs Treats Could Influence Insurance Coverage Are Weight Loss Drugs a Threat to Snack Food Stocks? Big Pharma’s Looming Patent Cliff How Medicare Negot...
Sep 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 288
Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retirement in ‘How to Retire,’ the companion podcast to her book of the same name. In this episode, Christine sits down with senior nerd at Kitces.com and assistant professor of finance Derek Tharp. They talk through how adjusting your spending throughout your retirement can enable you to spend more in the long run. How Actual Retiree Spending Deviates from ...
Sep 25, 2024•19 min•Ep. 287
Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses why the Federal Reserve made an aggressive interest-rate cut now. And what these lower rates mean for borrowers. Morningstar’s Take on the Federal Reserve’s First Interest-Rate Cut in 2024 What is the Neutral Rate of Interest? Was the Half-Point Interest Rate Cut as “Timely?” Risks that Could Cause Inflation to Reheat What Signs from the Job Market Could Spur the Fed into Action? Does the Fed’s Forecast for Intere...
Sep 20, 2024•19 min•Ep. 286
Christine Benz, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning, interviews financial experts about different aspects of retirement in ‘How to Retire,’ the companion podcast to her book of the same name. In this episode, Christine sits down with Yahoo Finance columnist and author Kerry Hannon to talk through the benefits of meaningful work in retirement. Benefits of Working Past Traditional Retirement Age What Does the Data Tell Us About People Who Work Longer? How to Make Wor...
Sep 18, 2024•18 min•Ep. 285
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 pitfalls of retirement planning. Is Globalization Waning? Why the U.S., China, and Japan Are Turning to ...
Sep 13, 2024•26 min•Ep. 284
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 Are Impacting Recreational Vehicle Companies? How Interest-Rate Cuts Affect Consumer Demand for Recr...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 283
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 like ERISA Extended to IRAs? What’s At-Stake for Future Retirees Read about topics from this episode. The T...
Aug 30, 2024•16 min•Ep. 282
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’ Greatest Achievement Are Mutual Funds Here to Stay? Top Mutual Fund Picks Read about topics from this epi...
Aug 23, 2024•13 min•Ep. 281
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 Macy’s Macy’s Is Focusing on Luxury Sales Macy’s Stock Outlook Ahead of Earnings Read about topics fr...
Aug 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 280
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 Reserve needs to make an emergency rate cut. What Caused the Stock Market Selloff? U.S. Tech Stocks and ...
Aug 09, 2024•21 min•Ep. 279
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 Stocks Correlations Have Shifted Towards U.S. Stocks Should You Have International Stocks in Your Portfo...
Aug 02, 2024•16 min•Ep. 278
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 Active Mutual Fund Can Underperform Despite Holding Winning Stocks High Hit Rates and Topping the Index...
Jul 26, 2024•13 min•Ep. 277
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 center demand. Should the AI Market Rally Broaden Its View? Who Is Driving the Fab Five’s Success? Wi...
Jul 19, 2024•15 min•Ep. 275
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? How Investors Can Take Advantage of BOXX ETF Will There Be More ETFs Like BOXX? Key Takeaways Read about ...
Jul 12, 2024•14 min•Ep. 274
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 reporter, at the 2024 Morningstar Investment Conference. Active vs Passive ETFs What’s Driving the G...
Jun 28, 2024•27 min•Ep. 273
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 Nvidia Stock Outlook Why We’re Seeing More Stock Splits in 2024 New Dividends From Mega-Cap Tech Co...
Jun 21, 2024•13 min•Ep. 272
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 Outlook Is a Little Too Pessimistic Good News from the Fed’s New Inflation Report Will the Fed Cut Intere...
Jun 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 271
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 to Invest Beyond the 60/40 Portfolio? Why Interest Rate Pivots Are Painful and Encouraging Is There a...
Jun 07, 2024•15 min•Ep. 270
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 and Declining Market Share Vanguard’s New CEO Starting Soon Investing for Each Life Stage Financial...
May 31, 2024•22 min•Ep. 269
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 Airlines' Business Models? Could Credit Card Companies Pull Back on Rewards? Surcharges with Credit Cards ...
May 24, 2024•25 min•Ep. 268
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 Improved Streaming Results Uber’s Strong Financial Results in 2024 Palantir’s Performance Led by AI Platf...
May 17, 2024•21 min•Ep. 267
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-Than-Expected Q1 Medicare's Falling Prescription Costs Why Are Medicare Prescription Costs Dropping? How ...
May 10, 2024•17 min•Ep. 266
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 Boeing’s Focused on Recovering from Past Mistakes General Motors Strong Start to 2024 The Magnificent ...
May 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 265
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 and Buffer ETFs Work? Which Kind of Investors Are These Strategies Designed For? Downsides to Buffer ETFs...
Apr 26, 2024•17 min•Ep. 264
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 Steady Climate Change Resolutions During Proxy-Voting Season Tax-Efficient Investing: 4 Moves to Make Now...
Apr 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 263
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 NBA TV Deal Why are Apple and Amazon Tough Competitors? Streaming Services With Compelling Growth Stor...
Apr 12, 2024•17 min•Ep. 262
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 Actively Managed Funds Have Over Broadly Diversified Passive Funds? How to Find a Great Dividend Fund Pass...
Apr 05, 2024•14 min•Ep. 261
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 Risks and Benefits of Changing a Portfolio’s Stock Allocation Flexible Spending Strategies The Role of G...
Mar 29, 2024•16 min•Ep. 260
