Investing Insights

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/ 

Follow The Morning Filter on Apple Podcast to hear new episodes on Monday mornings.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-morning-filter/id1792280057

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, explains why the markets are closely watching inflation and what some forecasters expect. Seth Goldstein, strategist for Morningstar Research Services, discusses whether the new Trump administration’s policies could affect the electric vehicle industry and his outlook for Tesla’s stock.What’s Changed About the Inflation OutlookWhy Inflation is Running Hotter AgainWhat Stubborn Inflation Means for Investors and the EconomyMarkets’ Response to Inflation Why Investors Need to Pay Attention to Inflation DriversWhat Economists Think Is Next for InflationBottom Line for InvestorsWhat’s New in the Markets How Trump’s Policy Shift Could Affect Tesla and Other AutomakersIs It Still Possible for EVs to Hit Their Accelerated Growth Forecast?Why Tesla May Have a Comeback in 2025What to Look for in Tesla’s Upcoming EarningsMorningstar’s Outlook on Tesla Stock  Read about topics from this episode.  Markets Breathe a Sigh of Relief on Softer Core InflationDecember Inflation Data Closes Door on January Rate Cut, but There’s Improvement Under the HoodIs Inflation Really What Ails Stocks and Bonds?Stocks and Bonds Stumble on Hot Jobs Report. Are Markets in Trouble, or Is It Just Noise?Tesla: Full-Year Deliveries Decline and Energy Storage Deployments Set Record High What to watch from Morningstar.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 2025How the Fed's Surprise Outlook Adds to Market Uncertainty for 2025How to Diversify Your Portfolio to Handle a Market Correction Read what our team is writing:Sarah HansenSeth GoldsteinIvanna 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/

Russ Kinnel is the Director of Ratings for Morningstar Research Services, specializing in fund comparisons, while Matthew Dolgin is a Senior Equity Analyst offering insights on Netflix's stock. They dive deep into the differences between actively managed ETFs and mutual funds, highlighting advantages like lower fees and tax efficiency. Dolgin also shares his analysis of Netflix’s future profit potential, exploring its sports streaming strategy and advertising opportunities, crucial for navigating a competitive market.

Jack Shannon, senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses how fund companies are looking to put private assets in the hands of everyday investors. He explains the risks and opportunities in private equity and private credit, and where this trend could go in 2025.What Are Private Assets? Risks of Private Assets vs. Public Assets Why Fund Companies Want to Give Retail Investors Access to Private Assets How Investors Can Access Private Assets Today Why Funds Choose Private Credit Instead of Private Equity Why Companies Stay Private How the Lack of Liquidity in Private Assets Plays Out in Interval Funds How Funds Provide Exposure to Private Equity Do Funds with Private Equity or Private Credit Exposure Have Better Performance?  Would Holding Private Assets in an ETF Work? Opportunities for Investors in Private Asset Funds Private Asset Fund Outlook Read about topics from this episode.  Morningstar's 2025 Outlook: Future Market Investment Strategies When Will Public and Private Equity Markets Finally Converge? DXYZ: This Closed-End Fund Is Not Destiny’s Child Invest in SpaceX Alongside Elon Musk? Why This Closed-End Fund Is Not Worth the Ride Private Credit: Avoid This Common Asset Allocation Mistake 2025 US Private Credit Outlook: More M&A, Larger Lenders, Bigger Market Ask Your Advisor These Questions Before Investing in Private Credit What to watch from Morningstar.Where Investors Can Find the Highest Bond Yields in 2025 How the Fed's Surprise Outlook Adds to Market Uncertainty for 2025 How to Diversify Your Portfolio to Handle a Market Correction What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025 Read what our team is writing:Jack Shannon Margaret Giles  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 for Morningstar Investment Management, discusses where to find the highest bond yields this year and whether corporate bonds are still attractive.Why Cash is No Longer KingIs a 3% Interest Rate Forecast a Wake-Up Call?Why It's a Good Time for Investors to Move Out of CashWhy Investors Should Move Longer Term in Fixed IncomeAre Corporate Bonds Still Attractive?Where We Are Seeing Promising Yields From Global Bonds  What to Keep in Mind When Investing in Global BondsWhere to Invest in 2025 Read about topics from this episode.  Where to Find Returns When Interest Rates Fall Morningstar's 2025 Outlook: Future Market Investment Strategies Morningstar’s 2025 Investment Outlook for Financial Advisors Why Our Best Investment Ideas for 2025 Are Outside the US   What to watch from Morningstar. How to Diversify Your Portfolio to Handle a Market CorrectionWhat Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024 Read what our team is writing:Dominic PappalardoIvanna 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/ 

Tom Lauricella, Morningstar Inc global markets editor, explains why the market reacted poorly to the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook. The Smart Investor newsletter editor also discusses some of 2024’s biggest headlines such as inflation, the broader stock market rally, and new leadership in Washington.Why the Fed Scaled Back from Four Interest-Rate Cuts to Two for 20255Did the Market Bounce Back After the Drop Following the Fed Rate Decision?Why the Fed Isn’t Saying They Are Seeing a Stronger Economy in 2025Will Trump’s Tariffs Cause Inflation to Rise?Will the Market’s Momentum Continue into 2025?High Yields in the Bond Market Are Benefitting InvestorsWill the Trump Administration Boost Bitcoin’s Growth?How Investor’s Should Approach Trump’s Second Term5 Stories Investors Should Watch for in 2025 Read about topics from this episode.  Subscribe to Morningstar’s SmartInvestor newsletter.Stocks Tumble on New Fed Rate Forecast—Here’s Why Fed Sets Stage For Fewer (or Possibly No) Rate Cuts in 2025 Forecasts for November PCE Preview Show More Moderation in Inflation What to Expect From Bitcoin in 2025 What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025 What to watch from Morningstar.How to Diversify Your Portfolio to Handle a Market CorrectionWhat Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024A Simpler Medicare Part D Is Coming. Here's How It Could Save You Money Read what our team is writing:Tom LauricellaIvanna 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/

Russel Kinnel, director of ratings for Morningstar Research Services, discusses large growth’s impressive run in 2024 and why it might be time to rebalance if you haven’t in a while.What is Driving Growth’s Impressive Run?Why Is it Important to Rebalance NowWhat Triggered Growth’s Largest Selloffs Since 2000What Was Unusual About the Growth Correction in 2022Top-Rated Bond Funds that Could Help with Saving for an Emergency FundBond Funds that are Defensive if Growth Gets Crushed  Small-Value Funds Out of Sync With Large Growth  Mid-Growth Funds that are Good Diversifiers Read about topics from this episode.  Subscribe to the Morningstar FundInvestor newsletter. 6 Top-Performing Large-Growth Funds Is It Time to Diversify Beyond US Large-Cap Growth Stocks? How to Rebalance Your Portfolio Before 2025 The Best Funds for Rebalancing in 2025 The Best Bond Funds   What to watch from Morningstar.What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Markets in 2025 Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024A Simpler Medicare Part D Is Coming. Here's How It Could Save You MoneyA Better Way to Use Leverage in Your ETF Portfolio Read what our team is writing:Russel KinnelIvanna 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, discusses why long-term yields spiked in the wake of the election, what's next for fixed-income in 2025, and how investors can take advantage of higher yields in their portfolios.Why Did Bond Yields Rise in the Wake of the Election?How Investors Are Thinking About Rising Bond YieldsWhat the Current Run-Up in Bond Yields Tells Us About the MarketsHow Do Today’s Yields Compare to History?Will the Flat Yield Curve Start to Steepen?How Bond Yields Affect the Stock Market  How Long Can the Market Withstand a Higher Interest Rate Environment?How Bond Yields Affect MortgagesHow Today’s Bond Yields Can Benefit Investors When Looking at Portfolio Construction  Economic Outlook 2025 Key Takeaways Read about topics from this episode.  Postelection Deficit Concerns Fuel Jump in Bond YieldsTrump’s Tariffs: A Wild Card for the Markets in 2025Fed Sticks to Rate Cut Plans, for Now‘Diversification Is Back’—Why 60/40 Portfolios Are Working What to watch from Morningstar.Yes, You Can Still Find Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities in 2024A Simpler Medicare Part D Is Coming. Here's How It Could Save You MoneyA Better Way to Use Leverage in Your ETF PortfolioApple Earnings Are on Deck. Will Apple Intelligence Help Drive iPhone Sales?  Read what our team is writing:Sarah Hansen 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/