Investing Insights

Utilities: Investors Counting on Growth to Stop Recent Slump

On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:25 The Utilities Yield Gap: This Time is Different
00:05:44 Data Centers are Driving Growth—and Creating a Backlash
00:10:43 Regulatory Risk Poses a Threat
00:12:20 These Companies are Poised for Growth
00:19:35 But What About Dividends?
00:23:49 Key Takeaways for Investors Considering Utilities Stock

Check out more from Morningstar:
Mortgage Rates Are Above 7%. Is It Better to Rent or Buy a Home Right Now?
Are TIPS ETFs the Best Way to Fight Inflation?
The Smartest Moves for Bond Investors Today, and What to Do When You Have Too Many Investments

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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High interest rates and expensive home prices are keeping some frustrated buyers on the sidelines. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage recently crossed the 7% line and remains there, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. And recently there’s an uptick in some buyers choosing adjustable-rate mortgages that come with a lower loan rate, but higher risk. Meanwhile, macroeconomic conditions are also squeezing homebuilders. So, when could affordability return to the housing market and where can investors find cheap stock opportunities? Suryansh Sharma is the director of equity research for Morningstar and covers the housing industry.

Sign up for PitchBook or Morningstar Direct to read Suryansh Sharma’s full report, US Housing: 2026 Q2.

On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:25 High Mortgage Rates and Prices Squeeze Buyers
00:02:46 How Rate Hikes and Cheap Mortgages Affect Home Sales
00:07:08 Rent vs. Buying: Comparing Monthly Housing Costs
00:08:11 Housing Market Risks, Mortgage Rate Outlook, and One Undervalued Stock
00:11:39 Ask the Economist: How Elections and the Economy Can Intersect

Check out more from Morningstar:
Are TIPS ETFs the Best Way to Fight Inflation?
The Smartest Moves for Bond Investors Today, and What to Do When You Have Too Many Investments
14 Elite Funds and ETFs, and 5 Popular Funds That Just Missed the Mark

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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Is persistent inflation making TIPS ETFs more attractive? Hundreds of millions of dollars flowed into this niche investment in September, according to Morningstar data. Yet, there’s a debate over whether they’re an ideal way to defend against higher costs. Joining me is Dan Sotiroff to discuss what investors should know, including the risk, tax treatment, and top-rated ETFs. He’s the associate director of US passive strategies research for Morningstar.

Ask the Analyst: TIPS ETFs Protect Against Inflation. So Why Did Mine Lose Money?

On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:11 What TIPS ETFs Are and How They Work
00:02:28 Can TIPS ETFs Help Against Elevated Inflation?
00:04:39 Where Investor Money Is Going and How TIPS ETFs Performed
00:07:07 How Interest Rates Affect TIPS ETFs, Plus Other Risks
00:09:13 How TIPS ETFs Are Taxed
00:10:57 Gold- and Silver-Rated TIPS ETFs and Key Takeaways

Listen to more from Morningstar:

The Smartest Moves for Bond Investors Today, and What to Do When You Have Too Many Investments

14 Elite Funds and ETFs, and 5 Popular Funds That Just Missed the Mark
Why Are Some of the Strongest Stocks Struggling This Year?

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We have a special episode for you this week. The author behind the popular Ask the Analyst column on Morningstar.com is coming to the table. Morningstar portfolio strategist Amy Arnott is going into the mailbag to answer readers’ questions about bonds, including TIPS and other portfolio matters.

Submit your question to the Ask the Analyst column created and written by Morningstar's Amy Arnott.

On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome

00:01:36 How Bond ETFs Work and Comparing TIPS, I Bonds, Treasuries

[This video states that an investor can use $5,000 from a tax refund to purchase I bonds in excess of the $10,000 limit. The US Treasury discontinued this tax-refund option on Jan. 1, 2025. ].
00:05:06 Municipal Bond Fund Losses After a Fed Rate Hike
00:06:58 Where to Hold Bonds: Roth vs. Traditional IRA, and TIPS Ladders
00:09:15 Paying for Law School Tuition: Which Accounts Come Into Play
00:10:30 Simplifying 231 Holdings and Limiting Capital Gains on Fund Swaps
00:14:11 What to Know Before Submitting Your Ask the Analyst Question

Watch More From Morningstar:
14 Elite Funds and ETFs, and 5 Popular Funds That Just Missed the Mark
Why Are Some of the Strongest Stocks Struggling This Year?
Don’t Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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The menu of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds can appear to go on and on, and it’s probably hard not to feel overwhelmed when you’re researching what works for your portfolio. A popular annual feature in Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter narrows the choices from thousands to about a few dozen. Russ Kinnel has done the hard work for you and is here to share investment ideas from his Thrilling Funds list. He’s the newsletter editor and Morningstar’s senior principal of ratings.

Sign up for Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter.

On this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome

00:01:11 What's New in Morningstar's FundInvestor Newsletter
00:01:55 How Funds Make the Thrilling Funds List
00:03:43 Large-, Midsize, and Small-Company Funds From Fidelity, Vanguard and More
00:06:22 Bond ETFs, Global Stock Funds, and Municipal Bond Funds That Stand Out
00:08:50 Why Fidelity Contrafund and Other Popular Funds Just Missed the Cut
00:10:02 How Investors Can Find Out How Their Funds Stack Up Against the Criteria

Watch more from Morningstar:

Why Are Some of the Strongest Stocks Struggling This Year?
Don't Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields
How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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Are wide-moat stocks’ struggles a sign of their protection diminishing? That’s the big question from the Q3 issue of Morningstar magazine. Key market moments this year heavily weighed on some stocks with competitive advantages. Why did they stumble? Morningstar magazine Editor-in-Chief Jerry Kerns is returning to Investing Insights to discuss this issue’s cover story.

Sign up for a free subscription to Morningstar magazine.

On this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:06 What Is a Moat and Its Five Sources
00:03:24 Why Examine Wide-Moat Stocks' Performance Now
00:04:12 What's Behind the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index's Rough Stretch?
00:06:59 Are Moats Really a Sign of Quality?
00:07:38 Key Takeaway on Wide-Moat Stocks
00:08:12 Other Highlights from This Quarter's Morningstar Magazine

Watch more from Morningstar:

Don't Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields
How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio
401(k) Millionaires: Here's How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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Higher bond yields are attracting more attention and more money. US bond ETFs pulled in almost $54 billion in August. Core and core-plus bond ETFs make up about $8.5 billion of that. These funds tend to provide shelter during market storms to ease a portfolio’s rocky moments. They also provide steady and predictable income. As bond rates sit higher than they have in the past, how can you benefit while also taking a conservative approach? Dan Sotiroff is the associate director of US passive strategies research for Morningstar.

Why Higher Bond Yields Can Be 'a Great Thing'

On this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome
00:00:50 How core and core-plus bond ETFs work
00:04:22 Billions flowing into core and core-plus bond ETFs this year

00:05:55 How active fund managers capitalize on higher bond rates
00:08:36 What higher bond yields mean for income investors
00:09:51 Core bond ETFs earning Gold and Silver ratings
00:11:17 Core-plus bond ETFs Morningstar analysts like

Watch more from Morningstar:

How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio
401(k) Millionaires: Here's How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement
New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution

Follow Morningstar on social:

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This episode is sponsored by Vanguard: https://advisors.vanguard.com/engagement/fixed-income

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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:
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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?

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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https://www.morningstar.com/funds/best-opportunities-fund-investors-today

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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/

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