Investing Insights

With interest rates likely to stay on the higher side, investors should realize that there is money to be made in rates staying higher for longer, and we have three ETF picks that could help you do just that.  Timestamps:Salesforce’s Strong QuarterIntuit’s Solid Top and Bottom LinesSnowflake’s Mixed Quarter ResultsWhat is Driving Interest in Active ETFs?Why Are There Such High ETF Flows?Are Active Investors Leaving Mutual Funds for Active ETFs?Advantages of Active ETFs Disadvantages of Active ETFsHow to Decide Between ETFs, Mutual Funds, or a Passive Strategy  3 ETFs That Benefit From Higher Interest Rates Read about topics from this episode.  Salesforce Earnings: MuleSoft Shines In Another Overall Good Quarter Intuit Inc Snowflake Earnings: Long-Term Upside Is Far From Melting Here’s Why Active ETFs Are So Hot Right Now  What to watch from Morningstar.Timing the Market Doesn’t Work — We Did the Math Make the Most of Your HSA Benefits and Investments in 2024 Headwinds Hold Airlines Back, But Check Out These T

Adam Fleck, director of research for ratings and ESG for Morningstar Research Services, explains why market-timing underperforms a hands-off strategy. Leslie Norton, editorial director for sustainability for Morningstar Inc., discusses what to expect at COP28 and the global push to net zero.NVIDIA’s Outstanding Fiscal Q3 Revenue  Cisco’s Gloomy Full-Year OutlookShopping Boosted Walmart’s Q3, But Uncertainty Remains Going into HolidaysWhat Investors Should Pay Attention to From the United Nations Climate Change Conference The Paris Agreement Calls for Progess Check at COP28What Are Governments Doing About Rising Global Temperatures?Who’s Leading and Lagging in Becoming Net-Zero? Investment Opportunities in Clean Energy TransitionShould Investors Focus on Time in the Market?Does Market Timing Work?Market Signals for InvestorsMarket Timing vs. Buy And HoldWhy The Portfolio That Relies on the Market Timing Underperforms  Remembering Charlie Munger Read about topics from this episode.  Nvidia Earnings: Predictably

Margaret Giles, Morningstar Inc editor, discusses how to use HSA benefits and the 2024 HSA contribution limits. Greg Carlson, Morningstar Research Services senior manager research analyst, talks about who Morningstar has ranked the top HSA providers for spending and investing. What is an HSA?HSA vs. FSAHSA Limits Are Increasing in 2024How To Maximize the Triple tax BenefitHow to Switch an HSA ProviderWhat to Look for When Shopping for a Health Savings AccountBest HSAs for SpendingBest HSAs for Investing  Read about topics from this episode.  What Happens to Your HSA in Retirement?What Can My HSA Be Used For?Can You Save Too Much in a Health Savings Account?The Best HSA Providers of 2023 What to watch from Morningstar.New iShares Target-Date ETFs Provide Different Retirement Saving Path5 Scary Stocks for You to Avoid This HalloweenNavigating Medicare Open Enrollment for 2024Falling Mutual Fund and ETF Fees a ‘Big Win for Investors’ Read what our team is writing:Margaret GilesGreg CarlsonIvanna Hampton Follow u

Nic Owens, industrials equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how Southwest is preparing to avoid another holiday travel meltdown, the airline industry’s outlook for ticket prices, and what travel stocks to check out.Uber’s Profit and Demand Cruised AheadRoblox Reported Rise in Global Growth  Kellanova Benefitted From Higher Prices Holiday Travel Season and North American AirlinesHow Southwest Airlines is Preparing for the HolidaysWhat We Can Expect From Travel Demand and Ticket PricesWill a Low-Cost Airline Fail in 2024?Travel Stocks to Consider This Holiday SeasonInflation News: Cooler Report Opens Door to Interest-Rate Cuts in 2024 Read about topics from this episode.  Uber Earnings: The Platform Is More Easily Attracting Demand and Supply; Shares Remain UndervaluedRoblox Earnings: Strong User Growth and Cost Leverage Bode Well for 2024Kellanova CoA Cheap Dividend Stock That’s 30% Undervalued and Yields Above 4%Southwest Airlines Earnings: Cutting Valuation to $19 From $36 on Yields, E

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, explains the new normal of bond yields and interest rates and where investors can find fixed-income opportunities. Adam Fleck, director of research for ratings and ESG for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how companies with union workers can compete against non-union firms.Apple’s Solid Fiscal Fourth QuarterEli Lilly’s Diabetes Drug Lift in Q3McDonald’s Is Resilient Under Inflation Pressure‘Higher for Longer’ EraTight vs. Loose Financial Conditions'Higher-for-Longer' Side Effects Fixed-Income Market  Opportunities for InvestorsAre Labor Unions Bad for Business?Risks and Benefits of a Unionized WorkforceCan Unionized Companies Compete with Non-unionized Companies?GM, Ford, and Stellantis Uncertainty Ratings Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Megan Pacholok, Morningstar Research Services senior manager research analyst, discusses BlackRock’s iShares target-date ETFs and how they compare to their mutual fund siblings. Amazon Impressed in Q3Google Ad Rebound Lifts Alphabet  Visa Benefits from Travel Bounce BackBlackRock’s Bring Back Target-Date ETFsChanges to the ETF SpaceWhat is BlackRock Offering? ETFs vs. Mutual FundsCan BlackRock’s Targeted ETFs Be a Part of 401(k)s?Is BlackRock Successful?Fed Focused on Higher for Longer, But Rate Cut Talk Likely Coming  Read about topics from this episode.  Amazon Earnings: E-Commerce Improves, AWS Stabilizes, and Margins Surge https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1187599/amazon-earnings-e-commerce-improves-aws-stabilizes-and-margins-surgeAlphabet Earnings: Google Search and YouTube Are Strengthening, and Cloud Is Likely to Accelerate https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1186708/alphabet-earnings-google-search-and-youtube-are-strengthening-and-cloud-is-likely-to-accelerateVisa Earnings: Quarter Largely Maintai

In today’s episode, Morningstar Research Services’ equities strategist Eric Compton talks about the U.S. banking sector after earnings, and we talk to Dave Sekera, the chief U.S. market strategist for Morningstar Research Services, about scary stocks.  Tesla’s Q3 Took a HitNetflix’s Strong Subscriber GrowthUnited Airlines Predicts Airline Industry Changes 5 Scary StocksWhat Makes These Stocks So Scary?What If You Own Scary Stocks The Year of Tech  Supply Chain and XPO StockAdvertising and Content TechEducation Sector in ChinaThe Most Overvalued Stock  How Often Investors Should Check on Stocks in Their PortfoliosWhat’s Going on in the Banking Sector?Big and Regional Banks Q3 EarningsWhat is Net Interest Income?Regulatory Risk and Interest Rate RiskBank Stock Picks Read about topics from this episode.  Tesla Earnings: Price Cuts Weigh on Margins While Cybertruck Launch Officially ScheduledNetflix Earnings: Stellar Results Show Durable Strengths but Also Some Tailwinds That Should SubsideUnited Airlines Earning

Mark Miller, “Retirement Reboot” author, explains the differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and why timing is important when signing up for Medigap.Ryan Jackson, Morningstar Research Services manager research analyst, discusses how most actively managed funds outperformed their average passive peer over a 12-month period. itigroup Q3 Earnings Crushed EstimatesStrong Travel Demand Lifted Delta’s Q3 EarningsSocial Security and Medicare in 2024The New Social Security COLA2024 COLA and Retiree’s BudgetsTraditional Medicare vs. Medicare AdvantageWill Medicare Prescription Drug Prices Fall?Actively-Managed Funds vs. Passive Index FundsWhat Drove the Active Fund Rebound?Active Fund Managers’ Outperformance  How to Choose a Winning Active Fund Read about topics from this episode.  Citigroup Earnings: Revenue Growth Is Working, but We Won’t Know About Expenses Until 2024Delta Earnings: Higher Structural Costs Will Lead to New Equilibrium; Fair Value Down $1 to $40I’m 65 and Still Working. Sh

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar Research Services, discusses how investors and financial advisors are pushing down mutual fund and ETF fees.Fund Fees History  Fund Flow TrendsFalling Fund Fees  What is Happening with Retirement Accounts?Is There a Shift in the Financial Advice Industry?Why Investors May Not See Savings  What is a ‘Greenium’?Vanguard Wins Cheapest Average Fund FeesHow Low Can Fund Fees Go?Two Fund Picks Read about topics from this episode.  Morningstar's U.S. Fund Fee StudyCan Vanguard Still Compete on Fees?The Link Between Flows and Fund RatingsWhen Should You Own the Underlying Components Rather Than a Fund-of-Funds? What to watch from Morningstar.Payment Pause Ends: Student Loan Expert Shares Repayment TipsUAW Strike Raises Investor Risks3 of the Best Robo-Advisors, and One of the WorstStocks to Consider as the U.S. Pushes to Reclassify Cannabis Read what our team is writing:Ivanna HamptonBryan Armour Follow us on social media.Facebook:

Tax expert Ed Slott explains why following some tax advice on TikTok could lead to an IRS audit. Jack Shannon, Morningstar Research Services’ senior manager research analyst, pits the valuation of privately held ByteDance against publicly traded rivals Meta and Snap.How are Companies like ByteDance Valued?Why Valuations MatterByteDance and Tech’s 2023 RallyTikTok, Meta, and Snap  TikTok’s Business RisksThe “Unicorn of all Unicorns”IRS Releases Memo About TikTok TrendAudit Warning What the TikTok Trust Promoters Are Getting WrongHow to Protect Yourself Read about topics from this episode.  How Mutual Funds Are Valuing TikTok, Twitter, and Other Private Companies https://www.morningstar.com/funds/how-mutual-funds-are-valuing-tiktok-twitter-other-private-companiesThe Best and Worst Mutual Fund Bets of the Past 25 Years https://www.morningstar.com/funds/best-worst-mutual-fund-bets-past-25-yearsIRS Chief Council Memo https://www.irs.gov/pub/lanoa/am-2023-006-508v.pdf  What to watch from Morningstar.Payment Pause E

Betsy Mayotte, founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, explains the benefits of federal student loan repayment plans, and the loophole that makes Parent Plus loans eligible for the SAVE plan. New-Home Sales Have Remained ResilientFedEx Missed Morningstar’s ExpectationsMicrosoft’s Activision Blizzard Buyout  Student Loan Repayments and “The Institute of Student Loan Advisors”How To Prepare for Student Loan Payments  Younger Borrowers vs. Older BorrowersShifting Student DebtRisks of Defaulting on Federal Student Loan Debt in RetirementThe SAVE Repayment PlanWhat Rising Bond Yields Mean for Investors Read about topics from this episode.  Incentives and Speculative Building Have Boosted New-Home Sales; We Now See More Starts in 2023FedEx Earnings: Global Package Demand Still Sluggish, but Ground Margins ImpressActivision Blizzard: Sale to Microsoft Will Likely Close in OctoberStudent Loan Repayments Are Back. What Does That Mean for Your Financial Plan?Information on Limited Forgiveness Opportunities a

Also, why Morningstar thinks the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates earlier than projected.Dave Whiston, U.S. autos equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, says the demands from the UAW strike could bankrupt the Big Three automakers.Apple’s Innovation in Q3Smucker’s is Growing Its Snacking PortfolioMorningstar Expects More Deals from Disney  An Unprecedented UAW StrikeWhat are the UAW Strike Counteroffers? Advantages and Disadvantages of a Standup StrikeWould Meeting the Strike’s Demands Make the Big Three Automakers Less Competitive?UAW Strike Risks to Investors15:54 Ford and GM Stocks17:21 We Expect Faster Pace of Interest-Rate Cuts Than the Fed Read about topics from this episode.  Disney and Charter: A New Carriage Agreement Points to Improved Content Strategies https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1180340/disney-and-charter-a-new-carriage-agreement-points-to-improved-content-strategiesQualcomm: Supply Agreement With Apple Doesn’t Alter Our Long-Term Valuation https://www.morningstar.com/ar

Morningstar Research Services’ Amy Arnott, portfolio strategist, and Gabe Denis, senior manager research analyst, discuss how the lines are blurring between robo-advisors and traditional financial advisors. Timestamps:What's a Robo-Advisor?Investor Benefits From Robo-AdvisorsDid 2022 Stand Up Against 2023?Tax Loss HarvestingLimitations of Digital Investment AdviceRobo-Advice vs. Human AdviceRobo-Advisor FeesThe Best Robo-Advisors Advisors of 2023Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosFidelity GoVanguard Robo-AdvisorThe Worst Robo-Advisor Read about topics from this episode. The Best Robo-Advisors of 2023What Is a Robo-Advisor?Should You Be Using a Robo-Advisor?Are Robo-Advisors Worth Your Investment? What to watch from Morningstar.Stocks to Consider as the U.S. Pushes to Reclassify Cannabis“Ripped Off” to a “Better Deal” – How Investors Fared Since the Market-Timing ScandalEconomy Outshines ‘Uneventful Earnings'Microsoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part Two Read what our team is writing:Ivanna HamptonAm

In today’s episode, Morningstar Inc’s investment specialist Susan Dziubinski highlights three dividend stocks, while Kristoffer Inton, consumer equity strategist at Morningstar Research Services, talks all the latest developments in the cannabis space.Salesforce Soared Among the CloudsUnited Auto Workers Vote to Approve a StrikeBest Buy’s Better Q2Cannabis Stocks Slow Growth  HHS Recommends Rescheduling Cannabis   Canadian Cannabis Companies Cannabis Stocks Look Cheap Cannabis Stock Outlook  Read about topics from this episode.  Salesforce Earnings: Strong Margins, Share Buybacks, CRPO Growth Drive Good QuarterUAW Strike Likely at Stellantis, and Striking All the Detroit Three at Once Is PossibleBest Buy Earnings: Solid Quarter Overshadowed by Weak Industry Environment; Shares Remain CheapCannabis Shares Rally On Recommendation for Less Stringent Prohibition What to watch from Morningstar.Economy Outshines ‘Uneventful Earnings'Microsoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part TwoMicrosoft Bets Big on

In today’s episode, Russ Kinnel, director of manager research for Morningstar Research Services, talks about the 2003 mutual fund scandal that resulted in allegations of market-timing and late trading. He also discusses increased transparency and lessons for investors. Timestamps:00:44 Will Investors Try Birkenstock on For Size?02:04 NVIDIA’s Sky-High Performance03:32 Mutual Fund Scandal’s 20th Anniversary22:19 5 Stocks to Sell Before Labor Day Read about topics from this episode.  Birkenstock IPO: Will Investors Find the Price Uncomfortable?After Nvidia Stock’s Huge Rally, 6 Key Things to Watch in Q2 EarningsAfter Earnings, Is Nvidia Stock a Buy, a Sell, or Fairly Valued?The 5 Biggest Mutual Fund Rating Upgrades of 20233 High-Dividend Stocks to Avoid5 Stocks To Buy as Q2 Earnings Season Wraps Up What to watch from Morningstar.Economy Outshines ‘Uneventful Earnings'Microsoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part TwoMicrosoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part OneInterest-Rate Forecast

Episode notes: In today’s episode, Tom Lauricella, Morningstar Inc’s chief markets editor, talks about the strong economy and where investors can find some opportunities.Timestamps:Earnings Season TrendsApple and Amazon EarningsWhat Did We See from the Banks in Q2?Key Trends and the U.S. Economy Will There Be a Recession? Inflation TrendsFed and Interest Rates OutlookStock Market OutlookNear-Term Stock OutlookWhat Headwinds Could the Stock Market Face?Takeaways forrom 2023 Read about topics from this episode. July Jobs Report Suggests Economy on Track for ‘Immaculate Disinflation’Markets Brief: Is the Stock Rally Broadening?July CPI Report Cements Improved Inflation Picture5 Stocks To Buy as Q2 Earnings Season Wraps UpThe Stock Market Is Now Fairly Valued. Here’s What to Do Next. Subscribe to Smart Investor! [IH1] What to watch from Morningstar.Microsoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part TwoMicrosoft Bets Big on AI: What Investors Should Know, Part OneInterest-Rate Forecast: What’s Next?What To

In this two-part episode, Dan Romanoff, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about Microsoft’s AI advantage and its closest competition. Timestamps:Big Tech and AIWhat Gives the More Established Companies an Edge?Small Companies and AIWhat’s Next for Microsoft and AI?How to Integrate AIWill People Have to Pay to Interact With for Artificial Intelligence?AI Hype vs. AI RealityWill Google Be Next to Lead the AI Race? The Chase in the AI RaceMicrosoft Stock Outlook Read about topics from this episode. After Earnings, Is Microsoft Stock a Buy, a Sell, or Fairly Valued?Microsoft and AI: Believe the Hype?Microsoft Earnings: Solid Performance, With Azure Strength Offset by Margin Pressure in 2024Before Investing in AI Stocks, Consider ThisMicrosoft Stock vs. Alphabet Stock: Which Is a Better Buy? What to watch from Morningstar.Interest-Rate Forecast: What’s Next?What To Do With Your Cash Right NowNasdaq 100 Rebalance: What It Means for Your PortfolioHiring a Financial Advisor? Honesty Cou

: In this two-part episode, Dan Romanoff, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about Microsoft’s AI advantage and its closest competition. Timestamps:OpenAI’s Origin Story OpenAI Dropped ChatGPT-4Microsoft and Open AI PartnershipWhat is AI’s Market Size?NVIDIA’s Role in Microsoft's AI Read about topics from this episode. After Earnings, Is Microsoft Stock a Buy, a Sell, or Fairly Valued?Microsoft and AI: Believe the Hype?Microsoft Earnings: Solid Performance, With Azure Strength Offset by Margin Pressure in 2024Before Investing in AI Stocks, Consider This What to watch from Morningstar.Interest-Rate Forecast: What’s Next?What To Do With Your Cash Right NowNasdaq 100 Rebalance: What It Means for Your PortfolioHiring a Financial Advisor? Honesty Counts (With Yourself, Too)  Read what our team is writing:Ivanna HamptonDan Romanoff Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/

In today’s episode, Preston Caldwell, senior U.S. economist for Morningstar Research Services, explains why he thinks the Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates and when he expects the cuts to start. Meta’s “App-y” FamilyMicrosoft’s Strong Q4Barbie Boost Could Fall Interest Rates OutlookWill There Be Future Interest Rate Hikes?Inflation Is FallingThe Economy is StrongHow Long Will Economic Growth Last?When Will the Fed Start Cutting Interest Rates?Retiring Earlier Than Expected? How to Manage Your Finances  Read about topics from this episode. After Earnings, Is Meta Stock a Buy, a Sell, or Fairly Valued?Microsoft Earnings: Solid Performance, With Azure Strength Offset by Margin Pressure in 2024When Will the Fed Start Cutting Interest Rates?Fed’s Powell Talks Tough After Rate Hike, But a Pause Seen Likely From Here4 Financial Tasks You Shouldn’t Put Off What to watch from Morningstar.What To Do With Your Cash Right NowNasdaq 100 Rebalance: What It Means for Your PortfolioHiring a Financial Advisor? Ho

In today’s episode, Madeline Hume, a NEXT senior research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about how high cash rates will affect bonds. Netflix Surpassed ExpectationsUnited Airlines Q2 Results SoaredPNC Projected Slower Growth Inflation, Cash, and BondsBond Outlook 2023Why Should Investors Consider Bonds?Opportunity Costs of Holding Money in Bond FundsIncome In Investor’s Portfolio5 Surprising Investments That Shouldn’t Be Long-Term Core Holdings Read about topics from this episode. Netflix Earnings: Solid Results as Paid Sharing Boosts Subscriber GrowthUnited Airlines Earnings: Robust Q2, but Costs Rising on Upgrades and New Labor AgreementsPNC Earnings: Funding Pressure Remains, but Smaller Changes to Outlook\Is It Time to Break Up With the Bonds in Your Portfolio?What Role Should Cash Play in Your Portfolio? What to watch from Morningstar.Nasdaq 100 Rebalance: What It Means for Your PortfolioHiring a Financial Advisor? Honesty Counts (With Yourself, Too)Firing Your Financial Advisor? When T