Investing Insights

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.

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 Backfire Why 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.

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.

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.

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.

Guaranteed income in retirement sounds pretty nice, but what are the trade-offs to make it happen? Several big asset managers offer target-date funds with built-in annuities. However, it's difficult to compare one against another because their strategies tend to differ. And retail annuities' dubious reputation has set up a hurdle for mass adoption. But recent important developments could clear the path for these funds to appear in 401(k)s and other retirement plans. New Morningstar research explores why target-date funds with annuities are gaining ground in the US. Jason Kephart has dug into the data. Morningstar's senior principal of multi-asset manager research is here to explain what he found. As Fidelity Adds Target-Date Fund With Guaranteed Income, Here’s What You Should Watch For On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:00:59 What annuities are and why they got a bad rap 00:02:05 How in-plan annuities differ from retail versions 00:02:26 Why a proposed Department of Labor rule matters for 401(k) plans 00:03:08 Is momentum building for guaranteed income in 401(k)s? 00:04:18 Income annuities vs. guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits 00:07:09 What retirement savers should know now Watch more from Morningstar : 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 What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026 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.

It's hard to escape the artificial intelligence hype. It's everywhere. Companies are adopting AI into their processes. Many people are talking to chatbots. And investors are making bets on which firms or themes will win. But do you need to own an AI ETF to benefit from the boom? Or do you already have enough exposure? Morningstar's associate director of US passive strategies research Dan Sotiroff has investigated whether the additional volatility of an ETF focused on AI is worth the risk. For the Best Long-Term Bet in the AI Economy, Look to the Past On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:16 How AI shapes broad market ETFs 00:03:53 Are there still opportunities for smaller companies as large tech firms dominate? 00:05:12 What to know about thematic AI ETFs 00:08:59 Are ETFs the ideal way to invest in AI? 00:10:33 ETF picks for getting AI exposure 00:13:38 What to keep in mind about the AI tech trend Watch more from Morningstar: Don’t Leave Tax Savings on the Table: How to Conduct a Midyear IRA Checkup What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026 Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth 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.

Consider getting your IRA in shape this summer instead of waiting for the calendar to flip to next year. A midyear checkup could help you optimize your retirement account to benefit from its tax advantages sooner than later. Morningstar's FundInvestor newsletter has highlighted investment ideas for folks who want to keep it simple, maximize tax advantages, or strive for capital appreciation. Morningstar's senior principal of ratings Russ Kinnel shares his favorite fund ideas for an IRA. IRA Favorites for Your Retirement Saving Plan On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:16 IRA basics and how Russ Kinnel invests in his IR 00:01:58 One-stop fund favorites for keeping it simple 00:03:45 Funds for maximizing tax advantages 00:06:38 Ideas to take the most advantage of tax-free compounding by focusing on capital appreciation 00:08:44 Could the funds also work in a Roth IRA? Watch more from Morningstar : What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026 Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete? 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.

Market volatility tends to challenge investors' willpower to stick to their plan. That's understandable because it tends to be easier to say you will focus on the long-term until uncertainty emerges. Geopolitics and artificial intelligence stirred up their share of highs and lows in 2026. What lessons can you learn from past market-moving events to stay invested? And where are the opportunities in the second half of the year? Dominic Pappalardo is the chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Wealth. It's part of registered investment advisor, Morningstar Investment Management. What’s Ahead in 2027 and Beyond for Inflation, Fed Rate Cuts, and More On this episode: 00:00:31 Welcome 00:01:18 Stock market's first six months of 2026 00:01:41 Events driving this year's market highs and lows 00:06:02 Staying invested during drawdowns and volatility 00:10:04 Morningstar's mid-year market outlook 00:12:19 Fixed-income and equity sector opportunities 00:14:55 Investor takeaways for the second half of 2026 Watch more from Morningstar: Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/dividend-investing-how-find-right-balance-between-income-growth-2 Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete? https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/are-mutual-funds-becoming-obsolete-2 Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/brace-your-portfolio-mega-ipos-2 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.

There's just something about dividends. The popular investing strategy attracts retirees and other investors who need regular cash payouts, as well as those who like the tangible return dividends represent, even if they are reinvesting those distributions back into their portfolio. But what are the tradeoffs, and are they worth it? It depends on who you ask. From the pages of the Q2 2026 issue of Morningstar Magazine, several specialists argue against chasing higher yield. Instead, they encourage investors to balance dividends and total return. Jerry Kerns, who's the editor in chief, joins Investing Insights to discuss the magazine’s spotlight. Featured Article: Subscribe to Morningstar Magazine On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:35 What dividend investing is and its appeal 00:03:55 Yield chasing trade-offs and dividend cut signals 00:07:47 Why consider buyback yield alongside dividend yield 00:09:44 Dividend stocks Morningstar analysts find attractive 00:10:45 Gold-rated funds and insights into the strategies 00:12:00 How income investors can strike the right balance Watch more from Morningstar: Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete? https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/are-mutual-funds-becoming-obsolete-2 Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/brace-your-portfolio-mega-ipos-2 The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/portfolio-that-has-been-beating-classic-6040-why-it-matters-you-2 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.

Bryan Armour, Morningstar’s director of ETF and passive strategies research for North America, and Dan Sotiroff, Morningstar’s associate director of US passive strategies research, explain why ETFs and collective investment trusts or CITs are challenging mutual funds. How Active ETFs Are Reshaping Fund Fees On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:30 How ETFs and mutual funds are alike and different 00:03:34 What investors prefer now 00:06:10 Cases when owning a mutual fund instead of an ETF could be beneficial 00:09:58 Are ETFs still synonymous with passive investing? 00:12:33 Notable names behind the active ETF launches 00:14:58 Are mutual funds an endangered species? Watch more from Morningstar: Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You The Best Opportunities for Fund Investors Today Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2026 is the year of the mega-IPO. SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI are working their way through the pipeline as anticipation builds for their blockbuster debuts. Elon Musk’s conglomerate is leading the shift from private to public markets. Demand is appearing to skyrocket to buy the companies the moment their stocks are publicly available. But is that the right move if you’re investing for the long term? Or are there better opportunities among stocks that are down on fears of AI competition, such as software as a service, or SaaS, stocks? These big private firms’ public arrivals will also affect index funds and 401(k)s. So what should you make of all this? Paul Condra is the global head of private markets research for PitchBook, a Morningstar company. He and his colleagues are presenting this topic at the upcoming Morningstar Investment Conference in Chicago. Why We Think the SpaceX IPO Is Overvalued On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:46 Why SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI Are Going Public Now 00:03:10 Why Morningstar Values SpaceX at Half the IPO Price 00:04:34 How Retail Investors Should Approach Buying SpaceX Stock 00:05:56Anthropic's IPO and Its Trillion-Dollar Valuation 00:07:12 OpenAI's Broken Economics and IPO Prospects 00:08:47 New Index Rules and What They Mean for Your 401(k) Watch more from Morningstar: The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You https://www.morningstar.com/portfolios/portfolio-that-has-been-beating-classic-6040-why-it-matters-you The Best Opportunities for Fund Investors Today https://www.morningstar.com/funds/best-opportunities-fund-investors-today Will Vacation Inflation Affect Your Summer Travel? Here’s What to Know https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/will-vacation-inflation-affect-your-summer-travel-heres-what-know Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don't underestimate the benefits of portfolio diversification. A well-diversified portfolio can ride waves of market volatility, and new Morningstar research found that's what happened in 2025. When uncertainty emerged at times during the generally bullish market, the report identifies which asset classes performed well, which didn't, and how the classic 60/40 portfolio fared. So, what are the biggest challenges for portfolio diversification today? Amy Arnott is one of the co-authors of the 2026 Diversification Landscape Report. Why Portfolio Diversification Has Paid Off—but More Isn’t Always Better On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:19 Market trends shaping investor sentiment in 2026 00:02:27 Leading and lagging asset classes year to date 00:03:15 Inside Morningstar's 2026 Diversification Landscape Report 00:04:11 60/40 vs. diversified test portfolio and how each performed 00:07:38 Rising inflation and what it means for bonds 00:10:48 How retirees and risk-averse investors can manage volatility Watch more from Morningstar: The Best Opportunities for Fund Investors Today Will Vacation Inflation Affect Your Summer Travel? Here’s What to Know Bond ETF Flows Just Flipped. Here’s What It Means for You Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Morningstar stamps what it thinks about a fund’s future with this Medalist Rating. You’ve probably seen a star with the word Gold, Silver, or Bronze next to a fund you were researching on Morningstar.com. This represents the fund’s Morningstar Medalist Rating. The manager research team recently reworked and simplified how they judge funds to create a simpler process for investors to understand. The new methodology also brings more transparency and stability. Some funds’ ratings rose, while others fell or held steady. What were the key factors that led to the upgrades and downgrades, and which funds gained or lost status? Morningstar Senior Principal of Ratings Russ Kinnel was in a room where it happened. Russ, who is also the editor of Morningstar FundInvestor, is here to talk about it. How Morningstar’s New Medalist Rating Methodology Affects 11 of America’s Largest Funds On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:33 Why Morningstar refreshed its Medalist Rating methodology 00:02:43 How the new criteria evaluate active and passive funds 00:03:07 Rating changes across fund categories and equity style boxes 00:04:09 Fidelity Contrafund, Pimco Income, and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index reviewed 00:06:25 Upgrades for target date, bank loan, and allocation funds 00:08:44 High fees trigger downgrades for some funds Watch more from Morningstar: Will Vacation Inflation Affect Your Summer Travel? Here’s What to Know https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/will-vacation-inflation-affect-your-summer-travel-heres-what-know Bond ETF Flows Just Flipped. Here’s What It Means for You https://www.morningstar.com/bonds/bond-etf-flows-just-flipped-heres-what-it-means-you How Big Tech’s Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities https://www.morningstar.com/bonds/how-big-techs-bond-spree-rising-us-debt-are-creating-risks-opportunities Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Macroeconomic conditions are squeezing US airlines and travelers just in time for the summer travel season. Higher fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East are pushing up ticket prices. The latest Consumer Price Index report showed fares rose by about 3% in April. Meanwhile, choices for cheap seats decreased when Spirit Airlines went out of business in May. The ultra low-cost carrier blamed soaring energy prices. What does this uptick in energy inflation mean for airlines’ profits and travelers’ wallets? Nic Owens is an equity analyst for Morningstar and covers the North American airlines. April CPI Report Shows Inflation Broadening As Energy Spike Impact Spreads On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:21 Energy prices and airline profit outlooks 00:02:40 How this summer's travel demand stacks up 00:04:01 Which Big Four airlines are most and least vulnerable 00:05:44 Who will compete for Spirit's former customers 00:07:00 Tips for travelers 00:08:51 What Morningstar’s analyst thinks about airline stocks Watch more from Morningstar: Bond ETF Flows Just Flipped. Here's What It Means for You How Big Tech's Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities 10 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ltrashort bond funds are experiencing highs and lows this year. They racked up a record $24 billion monthly inflow in March. But their fortunes reversed in April. Investors yanked out $1.6 billion. It was the biggest monthly outflow for the category in about two years. Ultrashort bond funds and similar fixed-income investments attract investors seeking a safe haven. They also generate cash and help moderate portfolio risks. So why are investors leaving now? What should you know before adding them to your portfolio? Morningstar’s ETFInvestor newsletter editor Dan Sotiroff is here to answer that. And the associate director of US passive strategies research will reveal which shorter-term bond ETFs have high ratings from Morningstar. Subscribe to Morningstar Investor Newsletters https://newsletters.morningstar.com/ On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:33 Three types of shorter-term bonds explained 00:03:54 Comparison to money market funds and CDs 00:07:05 Why investor poured into funds before reversing course 00:08:34 Who else are these suited for beyond income investors 00:11:11 Top-rated ultrashort and short-term bond ETFs 00:13:22 Top-rated short-term government bond ETFs 00:14:09 Takeaway for income investors Watch more from Morningstar: How Big Tech’s Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities 10 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff? Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 it’s not expected to slow down this year. Meanwhile, the US federal deficit has swelled to about $39 trillion, according to the US Treasury Department. That’s raising red flags about the potential impact on the Treasuries market. Government and corporate debt are growing but for different reasons. How should investors think about it? Dominic Pappalardo is the chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Wealth. It’s part of registered investment advisor, Morningstar Investment Management. Why Bonds Still Have Long-Term Appeal Despite Recent Wobbles On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:29 Big Tech's AI bond-issuing spree explained 00:03:51 What's driving the US federal deficit higher 00:06:04 Calls to prepare for a bond market emergency 00:07:38 Government vs. corporate debt key differences 00:08:45 Potential risks lurking in today's bond market 00:10:33 Bond portfolio opportunities and investor takeaways Watch more from Morningstar: 10 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff? Vanguard Wrote the Playbook for Success. Now, It Must Evolve to Stay on Top Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A rare group of dividend-paying stocks are standing out for their exceptional qualities. They’ve racked up five straight years of dividend growth of 10% or more. And they’ve passed several rigorous checks. Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter editor David Harrell dug into the data to identify this year’s class of Dividend Growers. Subscribe to Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter. On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:08 Dividend Growers qualifications and key caveats 00:03:17 How the 2026 Dividend Growers list changed from last year 00:04:11 Meet the three newcomers: Intuit, Motorola Solutions, and TJX 00:05:43 Near-miss stocks and why the group’s average yields run higher 00:08:19 Who dividend growth stocks suit 00:11:13 Which 2026 Dividend Growers look undervalued now Watch more from Morningstar: Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff? Vanguard Wrote the Playbook for Success. Now, It Must Evolve to Stay on Top Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years? Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s fueling Wall Street’s optimism? While geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are dominating headlines, US stocks recently hit an all-time high. The global oil shock is just one major disruption to rattle investors before receding this year. The enthusiasm for the artificial intelligence boom also waned in early 2026. So, what should investors make of the market’s fluctuating mood? Tom Lauricella is the global markets editor for Morningstar Inc. and the editor of Smart Investor newsletter. What War? US Stocks Hit Record Highs On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:20 Markets’ Response to the Iran War 00:02:40 Why Stocks Hit Record Highs Despite the Oil Shock 00:04:50 Earnings Season and Investor Sentiment 00:05:49 Big Tech Crosswinds and the Bond Market 00:09:04 Concerns About Private Credit Markets 00:11:07 Inflation, the Fed, and Leadership Transition Watch more from Morningstar: Vanguard Wrote the Playbook for Success. Now, It Must Evolve to Stay on Top Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years? These 8 Funds Could Help Steady Portfolios During Rough Markets Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vanguard redefined investor-first for the better, and it’s aiming to maintain that reputation. Vanguard revolutionized passive investing when it created the first retail index fund. The behemoth asset manager continues to attract swells of everyday investors and money with headline-making fee cuts that put pressure on rivals to follow suit. But Vanguard is also seeking to develop an edge in new areas. It’s going full force on active bond ETFs, for example, and creating a target-date trust series to provide retirees the security of a predictable income. This week’s episode is the second of a two-part series examining what’s going on with Vanguard in 2026. Dan Sotiroff, associate director of US passive strategies research for Morningstar, covers Vanguard. Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years? On this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome 00:01:40 Vanguard's Growth: Challenges of Doubling Its Client Base 00:03:28 Vanguard's Evolving Leadership 00:06:15 Fund Fee Cuts and Revenue Impact 00:10:17 Target-Date Fund Series With TIAA to Offer Guaranteed Income 00:12:04 Combining Public and Private Assets in Multi-Asset Investments With Wellington and Blackstone 00:14:39 Active Fixed-Income Push and Two New High-Yield Bond ETFs 00:19:51 Vanguard's Top Priorities for 2026 Watch more from Morningstar: Vanguard Is Entering a New Era. Can It Keep Winning for Another 50 Years? These 8 Funds Could Help Steady Portfolios During Rough Markets Why Bond Funds Benefit from Active Management Follow Morningstar on social : Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.