Investing Insights

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.

Zach Evens, a passive strategies analyst for Morningstar Research Services, dives into the intriguing world of Congressional stock trades. He discusses two ETFs that track these trades, analyzing why investors might consider them. The conversation highlights the stark differences in investment strategies between Democrats and Republicans, particularly their tech stock preferences. Zach also points out the potential risks and limitations of relying on congressional data, urging caution for those exploring these thematic funds.

Karen Anderson, Director of healthcare equity research at Morningstar Research Services, dives into the robust performance of healthcare stocks during market volatility. She discusses the significant influence of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and their future in biopharma. The conversation highlights how regulatory changes and demographic shifts, particularly an aging population, shape investment opportunities. Anderson also contrasts valuation approaches within the healthcare sector and shares her insights on potential picks for savvy investors.

Russ Kinnel, a senior principal of ratings at Morningstar Research Services, shares his expertise on fund analysis and portfolio diversification. He discusses the importance of the downside capture ratio for mitigating risks during market sell-offs. Kinnel highlights safe investment options, such as low-risk funds and bank loan funds to combat interest-rate fluctuations. He also explores unique strategies like arbitrage and emphasizes the significance of diversification, especially for risk-averse investors.

Sheryl Rowling, editorial director for financial advice at Morningstar Inc, discusses the financial and tax issues that could come up during and after a gray divorce.Limiting the Financial Impact of a Gray DivorceHow to Budget After DivorceWhat to Do if There’s a Budget Shortfall Social Security Divorce BenefitsGray Divorce Near RetirementWill a New Tax-Filing Status Result in Higher Taxes? How to Fairly Split Assets in Divorce How to Avoid Tax Penalties When Dividing Retirement AccountsPros and Cons of Keeping the Family HomeSelling the House and Downsizing After DivorceWhy Hire Professionals to Help with a Gray Divorce  Read about topics from this episode.  Gray Divorce: 10 Financial and Tax Issues You Must Know After 50Maybe You Shouldn’t Delay Taking Your Social Security Benefits After AllSix Retirement Withdrawal Strategies That Stretch Savings6 Retirement Financial Myths to AvoidWhat You Need to Know About Capital Gains DistributionsHow to Choose a Financial Advisor What to watch from Morningstar. Why the Bond Market Looks Brighter Than It Did in 2022Where to Find Bargain Stocks in an Expensive Market These 4 Dividend ETFs Strike the Right Balance for Income Investors Vanguard Fee Cuts May Be Small, But They’re a Win For Investors Read what our team is writing:Sheryl RowlingIvanna 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 Lefkovitz, a strategist at Morningstar Indexes, sheds light on the evolving bond market, discussing its recovery signs post-2024 interest rate cuts. Philip Straehl, Chief Investment Officer at Morningstar Wealth, emphasizes the risks of owning Restricted Stock Units and the necessity of diversification for total wealth. They explore the bond market dynamics, stressing bonds' stabilizing role amid market fluctuations. The conversation also addresses how personal financial goals play a crucial role in tailoring investment strategies to mitigate risks.

David Harrell, Editor of Morningstar’s StockInvestor newsletter, dives into stock valuation trends and identifies hidden bargains in a pricey market. He reveals insights from a watchlist of 120 stocks, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond general market trends. Discussion includes the evolution of the Morningstar Style Box, findings on undervalued mega-cap stocks like Apple and NVIDIA, and an analysis of small-cap stocks. Harrell also highlights high-growth stocks achieving impressive scores, providing valuable tips for savvy investors.

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar, specializes in ETF investing and shares his insights on dividend strategies. He breaks down the balance between income generation and long-term growth in dividend ETFs. Armour highlights four top-rated ETFs from Vanguard and Schwab, discusses the importance of factor investing, and explores the risks associated with dividend income strategies. Get ready to optimize your investment approach with his expert analysis!

Dan Sotiroff, a senior manager research analyst at Morningstar Research Services, discusses Vanguard's recent fee cuts on nearly 90 funds, emphasizing how these modest reductions could significantly benefit investors. He explains the motivations for these cuts, including competitive pressures from firms like BlackRock. Additionally, hosts David Sekera and Susan Dziubinski introduce their new podcast segment, The Morning Filter, aimed at helping investors make sense of market noise with valuable insights on stock performance and economic trends.

Preston Caldwell, senior US economist for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, his outlook for inflation in 2025, and the potential impact of US tariffs.Fed Meeting January 2025: Was Pausing Interest-Rate Cuts a Good Move? Outlook for Inflation in 2025How a Strong Jobs Market Fits into the Fed’s OutlookWhy Mortgage Rates Rose When Interest Rates FellWhen is the Next Fed Meeting in 2025?Are Interest Rates Going Down in 2025?How Mass Deportations Could Affect Businesses and ConsumersHow US Tariffs Could Affect Consumer Goods PricesTracking Inflation, Financial Conditions, and the Housing Market Read about topics from this episode.  What Trump’s Proposed Tariffs Would Mean for the Economy Forecasts for December PCE Report Show Continued Improvement on Core Inflation Fed Hits the Pause Button, Awaits Further Data Amid Policy Uncertainty An Investor’s Guide to the Next Trump Administration What to watch from Morningstar.Why Inflation Still Poses a Risk to Stocks and Bonds in 2025 Active ETFs vs Mutual Funds: What to Know Before Picking a New FundIt's Getting Easier to Invest in Private Assets. What Does That Mean for Investors?Where Investors Can Find the Highest Bond Yields in 2025 Read what our team is writing:Preston Caldwell Ivanna 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/