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 funds earned 1.2% less per year than what those funds returned during the same period. That’s the top-line finding in this year’s Mind the Gap study, which aims to address the question of where investors succeeded in capturing most of their funds’ returns, and where they fell short. Jeff Ptak, a managing director for Morningstar Research Services, br...
Nov 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 352
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. It has recovered some but still sits below where it started the year. Other currencies like the euro, Japanese yen, and Mexican peso look stronger against the greenback. Several factors could influence whether the dollar roars back or recedes. Why should the dollar’s performance matter for everyday investors like you? Morningstar Indexes strategist...
Oct 31, 2025•16 min•Ep. 351
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. Many investors are rerouting their investments into different asset classes because of geopolitical risks like the US trade war, elevated inflation, and high interest rates. A more recent development is the budget battle in Washington, D.C. While the macro environment is pressure-testing portfolios, it’s also serving as a reminder about the benefits ...
Oct 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 350
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 anytime soon, as demand for artificial intelligence continues to send the tech sector higher. A highly concentrated market can—and has—turbocharged returns, but it also comes with downsides. As tech stocks soar, fund investors may find themselves with portfolios that are significantly less diverse than expected thanks to the outsize influence of a handful ...
Oct 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 349
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 down fees overall? How have crypto ETFs performed so far in 2025? W...
Oct 10, 2025•20 min•Ep. 348
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 rates for the first time in 2025 in the third quarter, but the path...
Oct 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 347
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 defensive sectors are lagging the broader stock market this year,...
Sep 26, 2025•15 min•Ep. 346
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. Morningstar Inc Portfolio Strategist Amy Arnott has examined why for ...
Sep 19, 2025•18 min•Ep. 345
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 manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services and the...
Sep 12, 2025•14 min•Ep. 344
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 chief US market strategist at Morningstar Research Services and co-...
Sep 05, 2025•18 min•Ep. 343
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 revenue overseas. So, how should investors balance US vs. non-US e...
Aug 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 342
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 pain in almost all of the worst market crashes in 150 years better t...
Aug 22, 2025•15 min•Ep. 341
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 to brag about his thrilling funds list. On this episode: Let’s beg...
Aug 15, 2025•12 min•Ep. 340
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 simply bet on rising prices. Bryan Armour explains what you should kno...
Aug 08, 2025•12 min•Ep. 339
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 why you need bonds for a balanced portfolio. Let’s start with how y...
Aug 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 338
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 investors making? ETFs are known to be tax-efficient investments. What a...
Jul 25, 2025•14 min•Ep. 337
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-deferred account? What types of dividends are taxable and non-taxable...
Jul 18, 2025•15 min•Ep. 336
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? And what’s at stake if they don’t before the deadline? More th...
Jul 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 335
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 About Federal Deficit How the Fed’s Decision on Interest Rates C...
Jul 04, 2025•14 min•Ep. 333
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 Economic Data Has Stayed More Stable Than the Markets During Vo...
Jun 27, 2025•19 min•Ep. 332
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-Advisor Fee Structure How Robo-Advisors Are Taking a Hybrid Ap...
Jun 20, 2025•24 min•Ep. 331
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 Private Markets Is Expanding How Private Assets Pose a Challenge i...
Jun 13, 2025•15 min•Ep. 330
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 During Market Volatility? How Correlations Between Asset Classe...
Jun 06, 2025•17 min•Ep. 329
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 of this podcast, a section about companies included on the Di...
May 30, 2025•15 min•Ep. 328
Dan Lefkovitz, Morningstar Indexes strategist and columnist, explains how factor investing works. And he discusses which stocks outperformed and underperformed during this year’s market volatility. What Is Factor Investing? What Factors Have the Strongest Performance Amid Market Volatility in 2025? Berkshire Hathaway and Other Low-Volatility Stocks Outperformed During Market Volatility Why Lower-Volatility Stocks Help With Capital Preservation in the Long Term Which Factors Have Lagged the Broad...
May 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 327
Dan Sotiroff, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how TIPS ETFs work, their performance in 2025, and what to consider before buying the treasury inflation-protected securities. Key Takeaways: What Are TIPS? TIPS ETFs vs. TIPS Flows Into TIPS ETFs in 2025 Surprises Morningstar’s ETFInvestor Editor How TIPS Have Performed Against the Bond Market in 2025 How Higher-for-Longer Interest Rates Could Create Higher Risk Should Investors Look to Short- or Long-Term...
May 16, 2025•13 min•Ep. 326
Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Investment Management’s Wealth group, discusses how trade talks over tariffs could ripple through the bond market and whether import taxes are the right move for Hollywood movies. Key Takeaways: What a Potential Trade Deal Between the US and UK Means for Market Sentiment What Countries Need to Strike a Trade Deal to Calm Wall Street? What Persistent High Tariffs and Falling Imports From China Could Mean for the US How Japan Moving ...
May 09, 2025•18 min•Ep. 325
Gregg Warren, senior analyst with Morningstar Research Services, discusses the succession, dividend, and stock portfolio questions he would ask at this year’s Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Warren previously pitched questions as part of the meeting’s analyst panel. Key Takeaways: Morningstar Analyst on Pitching Questions at Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Succession Planning for Berkshire Hathaway’s Insurance Business What Investors Need to Know About Warren Buffett’s Successor Should Greg...
May 02, 2025•22 min•Ep. 323
Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses why her team’s starting safe withdrawal rate is more conservative than the popular 4% rule. Plus, a new metric to help determine financial priorities during retirement. How ‘The State of Retirement Income’ Report Helps Investors Know Their Safe Withdrawal Rate Conservative Estimate for Starting Safe Withdrawal Rate Why Has the Starting Safe Withdrawal Rate Gone Down? Flexible or Dynamic Strategies to Increase the Starting Safe Withdraw...
Apr 25, 2025•23 min•Ep. 322
Amy Arnott, Morningstar Inc. portfolio strategist, discusses which investments have performed best and worst in past recessions. Gold prices are rising during the current market volatility. Arnott explains why it might not be the best time to buy the precious metal. Key Takeaways: Why Current Market Volatility May Not Be Ending Soon How to Keep Yourself Steady During Market Volatility How Investors Nearing Retirement Can Avoid Sequence-of-Return Risk During Market Volatility How Retirees Can Mit...
Apr 18, 2025•13 min•Ep. 321
