Investing Insights

Amy Arnott, a portfolio strategist at Morningstar Inc. and co-author of the 2025 Diversification Landscape Report, dives into the resilience of the 60/40 portfolio amidst 2025's market volatility. She explores which asset classes are thriving and which ones are struggling, the growing interest in international stocks, and the rising yields on U.S. Treasuries. Arnott emphasizes the importance of diversifying strategies and adapting to macroeconomic changes, such as inflation, to optimize investment outcomes.

David Harrell, the Editor of Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter and a dividend investment expert, dives into the secrets behind the coveted Dividend Growers list. He reveals 13 companies with impressive dividend growth, while discussing why some fell short. Harrell emphasizes the long-term benefits of dividend growth investing and the nuances of identifying undervalued stocks. He also touches on the sustainability of double-digit growth in dividends, providing insights for both seasoned and novice investors looking to enhance their portfolios.

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 VolatilityWhy Lower-Volatility Stocks Help With Capital Preservation in the Long TermWhich Factors Have Lagged the Broader Stock Market in 2025?Nvidia and Other Quality Stocks Underperformed During Market Volatility? How Factor Investing’s Performance in 2025 Fits Into Long-Term TrendsWhy Diversification Is Key When Investing in FactorsHow Often Should Factor Investors Check Their Portfolio?How to Position a Portfolio for Future Stock Market RotationsKey Takeaways Read about topics from this episode.  How Market Turmoil Made Low-Volatility Stocks Great AgainYou’re a Factor Investor. You Just May Not Know It YetPaying Attention to Investment Factors? You Should BeWhy You Shouldn’t Panic Over Daily Market SwingsWhy Quality Stocks Aren’t Doing Better This Year2025 Market Outlook: Markets Are Priced to Perfection, but Will It Last?Morningstar’s Guide to Diversification13 Charts on Q1’s Dramatic Rotation in Stocks3 Surprising Market Winners in 2025 What to watch from Morningstar. Worried About Inflation? What to Know Before Buying TIPS ETFsMarket Volatility: The Trade Deals That Could Calm Wall StreetBerkshire Hathaway's Annual Meeting Could Reveal Its Future PlansRetirees: Here's How to Tweak the 4% Rule to Protect Your Nest EggMarket Volatility: Which Investments Will Protect Your Portfolio in a Recession? Read what our team is writing:Dan LefkovitzIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

Dan Sotiroff, a Senior Manager Research Analyst at Morningstar, dives into the world of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and their ETFs. He explains how TIPS can safeguard investments against inflation and discusses their surprising performance in 2025. Listeners learn about the risks of higher interest rates, the differences between short- and long-term TIPS, and which accounts are best for holding them. Dan also shares his top picks for TIPS ETFs, making it a must-listen for savvy investors seeking stability in turbulent markets.

Dominic Pappalardo, Chief Multi-Asset Strategist at Morningstar Investment Management, sheds light on the turbulent intersection of trade deals and market volatility. He discusses how tariffs can ripple through the bond market and the implications of a potential U.S.-U.K. trade deal. Pappalardo explains how high tariffs and falling imports from China could impact the U.S. economy, as well as the effects of these tariffs on Hollywood films. He also weighs in on the declining U.S. dollar and its implications for investors navigating this chaotic landscape.

Gregg Warren, a senior analyst with Morningstar Research Services, has been closely following Berkshire Hathaway for 15 years. He shares insights about key questions for the upcoming shareholder meeting, such as succession planning for Warren Buffett's future replacement and the potential for divesting business segments or issuing dividends. Warren also discusses Buffett's take on the U.S. economy and recent stock sales, exploring whether Berkshire Hathaway remains a solid investment opportunity for the future.

Amy Arnott, a portfolio strategist at Morningstar, dives into the evolving landscape of retirement income strategies. She explains why the traditional 4% rule is now viewed as overly optimistic, proposing a more cautious 3.7% starting withdrawal rate instead. Arnott introduces a new metric for assessing spending priorities and shares insights on dynamic withdrawal strategies. The discussion also covers the timing of Social Security claims, the benefits of annuities, and unique spending strategies that aim to maximize retirees’ financial sustainability.

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 SoonHow to Keep Yourself Steady During Market VolatilityHow Investors Nearing Retirement Can Avoid Sequence-of-Return Risk During Market VolatilityHow Retirees Can Mitigate Market Volatility Using the Bucket ApproachWhich Asset Classes Have Performed Best and Worst During a Recession?   What Investors Should Keep in Mind Before Going for Buying GoldWhy It’s Better to Own Large Companies During an Economic SlowdownWhy Consumer Defensive Stocks Have Been Resilient During Recessions   What Sectors Have Been Hit the Hardest in Past Recessions?Create an Investment Plan and Stick to It During Market Volatility   Read about topics from this episode.  Best Investments to Own During a RecessionMorningstar’s Take on Tariffs: Stock Impacts, Portfolio Tips, and MoreWhat We’ve Learned From 150 Years of Stock Market CrashesA Down-Market Survival Guide for Pre-RetireesA Down-Market Survival Guide for RetireesHow to Use Gold in Your PortfolioHow to Keep Your Cool in a Volatile MarketWhat Do Tariffs and Increased Recession Risk Mean for Banks?What Tariff Volatility Means for the Consumer Defensive SectorWhat Bucket Investors Should Do in Down MarketsIt Feels Different This Time—but It Probably Isn’t What to watch from Morningstar. Market Volatility: What Lies Ahead in Trump’s Trade WarMarket Volatility: What to Watch in Q2 After Big Swings in Q1Does it Pay to Copy Congress’ Stock Trades?Can Healthcare Stocks Keep Outperforming the Market?  Read what our team is writing:Amy ArnottIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

Dominic Pappalardo, Chief Multi-Asset Strategist at Morningstar Investment Management, tackles the U.S.-China trade war's impact on global markets. He outlines the implications of Trump’s 90-day tariff pause and rising recession risks. Pappalardo discusses why fixed income and equities react differently to market turmoil and offers strategies to safeguard retirement portfolios amid volatility. He also shares insights on potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and what investors should keep on their radar for future market movements.

Sarah Hansen, a senior markets reporter at Morningstar Inc., dives deep into the tumultuous market swings of early 2025. She explains the vital differences between the stock market and the economy, emphasizing how recent declines shifted investor focus from growth to value stocks. Hansen discusses the potential repercussions of tariffs on market growth and consumer prices and highlights the growing interest in gold as a safe haven. She also stresses the importance of portfolio diversification amid ongoing volatility and recession fears.