Investing Insights

Don’t Make This Mistake When Chasing Higher Bond Yields

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 bill

How AI Is Taking Over Your Portfolio

he dominance of artificial intelligence is swelling globally. Its massive growth is weighing heavily on stock markets, pressuring bond markets, and even growing to outsiz

401(k) Millionaires: Here’s How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement

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. B

New ETFs Are Launching Fast. Proceed With Caution

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

Why Playing It Safe in Retirement Can Backfire

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

Why Do Active Funds Lag Even With Winning Picks?

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 a

Target-Date Funds With Annuities Are Gaining Ground. Is That Good for Your Retirement Plan?

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 annuit

AI ETFs Are on the Rise. Are They Worth the Risk?

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

Don’t Leave Tax Savings on the Table: How to Conduct a Midyear IRA Checkup

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

What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026

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-te

Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth

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

Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete?

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

Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs

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’

The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You

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

The Best Opportunities for Fund Investors Today

Morningstar stamps what it thinks about a fund’s future with this Medalist Rating. You’ve probably seen a star with the word Gold, Silver, or Bronze next to a fund you we

Will Vacation Inflation Affect Your Summer Travel? Here’s What to Know

Macroeconomic conditions are squeezing US airlines and travelers just in time for the summer travel season.  Higher fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East are

Bond ETF Flows Just Flipped. Here's What It Means for You

ltrashort bond funds are experiencing highs and lows this year.    They racked up a record $24 billion monthly inflow in March. But their fortunes reversed in April. In

How Big Tech's Bond Spree and Rising US Debt Are Creating Risks and Opportunities

Is a global debt emergency on the horizon?   Big Tech’s bond-issuing spree is helping to pay for its massive artificial intelligence buildout. And it’s not expected to

10 Exceptional Stocks With Double-Digit Dividend Raises

A rare group of dividend-paying stocks are standing out for their exceptional qualities. They’ve racked up five straight years of dividend growth of 10% or more. And they

Investors May Be Ignoring Big Market Disruptions. Is There Risk to the Rebuff?

What’s fueling Wall Street’s optimism? While geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are dominating headlines, US stocks recently hit an all-time high. The global o