Discussion on the trend of falling fund fees and its impact on investors, including insights on decreasing fund fees and the growing gap between cheap and expensive funds. Examining mutual fund and ETF fees, competition among fund issuers, and potential future fee reductions. Mentioning Vanguard as a leader in offering the lowest fees and highlighting top funds and ETFs that have recently experienced fee cuts.

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 Ends: Student Loan Expert Shares Repayment Tipshttps://youtu.be/wVr-_KOM3Qw?si=GtSJQNVoPsbXDHiaUAW Strike Raises Investor Risks https://youtu.be/D-fkLxPeVVI?si=HxF5jUQPju2AJmDt3 of the Best Robo-Advisors, and One of the Worst https://youtu.be/BSoSdJdUFKU?si=4K7BciRIHIq7Run9Stocks to Consider as the U.S. Pushes to Reclassify Cannabis https://youtu.be/fME1Oyit2CY?si=XbvRY1fz-etDjn4o Read what our team is writing:Ivanna Hampton https://www.morningstar.com/authors/2399/ivanna-hamptonJack Shannon https://www.morningstar.com/authors/2372/jack-shannon Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

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 and Repayment Restart What to watch from Morningstar.UAW Strike Raises Investor Risks3 of the Best Robo-Advisors, and One of the WorstStocks to Consider as the U.S. Pushes to Reclassify Cannabis“Ripped Off” to a “Better Deal” – How Investors Fared Since the Market-Timing Scandal Read what our team is writing:Ivanna Hampton  Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

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/articles/1180169/qualcomm-supply-agreement-with-apple-doesnt-alter-our-long-term-valuationSmucker: Price Paid for Hostess Looks Fair, but Past Execution Mistakes Worry Investors https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1180281/smucker-price-paid-for-hostess-looks-fair-but-past-execution-mistakes-worry-investorsWhat the First-Ever UAW Strike at All 3 Detroit Automakers Could Mean https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/what-first-ever-uaw-strike-all-three-detroit-automakers-could-meanWhen Will the Fed Start Cutting Interest Rates? https://www.morningstar.com/markets/when-will-fed-start-cutting-interest-rates  What to watch from Morningstar.3 of the Best Robo-Advisors, and One of the Worst https://youtu.be/BSoSdJdUFKU?si=4K7BciRIHIq7Run9Stocks to Consider as the U.S. Pushes to Reclassify Cannabis https://youtu.be/fME1Oyit2CY?si=XbvRY1fz-etDjn4o“Ripped Off” to a “Better Deal” – How Investors Fared Since the Market-Timing Scandal https://youtu.be/yqmEo6PN7V0?si=hpAqff9EiQ2EEI2-Economy Outshines ‘Uneventful Earnings' https://youtu.be/SCR-epYX0ts?si=MQWffECd7EFSGj1l Read what our team is writing:Ivanna Hampton https://www.morningstar.com/authors/2399/ivanna-hamptonPreston Caldwell https://www.morningstar.com/authors/2047/preston-caldwellDavid Whiston https://www.morningstar.com/authors/766/david-whiston Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

Morningstar portfolio strategist Amy Arnott and senior manager research analyst Gabe Denis discuss the blurring lines between robo-advisors and traditional financial advisors. They cover topics such as the benefits of robo-advisors, limitations of digital investment advice, and the best and worst robo-advisors of 2023.

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 AI: What Investors Should Know, Part OneInterest-Rate Forecast: What’s Next? Read what our team is writing:Ruth SaldanhaKristoffer IntonSusan DziubinskiDave Sekera  Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/ 

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: What’s Next? Read what our team is writing:Ivanna HamptonRussel KinnelDavid Sekera Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

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 Do With Your Cash Right Now  Read what our team is writing:Ivanna HamptonTom Lauricella Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/@Jessica Bebel Nice touch! Thanks for including. [IH1]

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 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/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/

: 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/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/