Morningstar Runs the Numbers

Inspired by Harper's Index (with a tip of the hat to FiveThirtyEight's Significant Digits blog), Morningstar Runs the Numbers uses a numbers-based approach to highlight recent Morningstar research, along with some outside news stories.

5 During Retirement Matters Week on Morningstar.com, we took an in-depth look at five portfolio-planning jobs that retirees grapple with and provide guidelines for finding the right solutions. The content is designed to help those who are nearing or who are in retirement manage some of those challenges. Topics include asset allocation, choosing investments, managing a sustainable withdrawal rate, assessing the role of Social Security in portfolio planning, and creating a long-term care and estate plan.

3 The Fed raised interest rates a quarter point this week, to a range of 1.25%-1.50%. Although no one knows what the future pace of increases will look like, many investors are looking for bond portfolios that can withstand a rising rate environment. We asked Morningstar analysts to share three of their top fund picks for a rising-rate environment.

9 The Hanukkah celebration commemorates an event described in the Talmud, in which candles that had only enough oil to burn for a single night burned for eight. On each of the holiday's eight nights, a candle is added to the menorah after sundown. Now for some trivia: Do you know what the ninth candle is called? Read about the history or Hannukah and the holiday's traditions in this History.com article.

5 2017 has been a strange year for the stock market. Despite threats of conflict with North Korea, a special counsel investigation, a war of words on social media between world leaders, and more, stocks have climbed steadily amid little volatility. What should investors expect going forward? Morningstar contributor Bryan Borzykowski asked five Morningstar Medalist managers what they expect for 2018.

6 After the publication of Russ Kinnel's "Fantastic 43," many readers asked how they could replicate Kinnel's fund screen so they could find new investment ideas for themselves. Though not all the inputs are in the Fantastic 43 screen available, Kinnel looked at six investment screening tools and went through the steps investors can use to customize their own investment search using each.

11 Many times, the funds our analysts assign medalist ratings to are stalwarts whose managers have proved their ability to skillfully navigate a variety of markets and stayed true to their tried-and-tested strategy. But that's not always the case. Here we take a closer look at 11 funds that were launched within the past four years and garner such high conviction from our analysts that they have earned medalist ratings.

Most Popular Articles

• Sustainable Stock-Pickers: Top 10 High-Conviction Holdings
• The Tax Bill Contains Serious Flaws for Investors
• Morningstar's 2017 Retirement Matters Week
• 5 Mid-Cap Favorites With Attractive Downside Protection
• An Aggressive Retirement Portfolio in 3 Buckets

Most Popular Videos

• Bond Fund Picks for a Rising Interest-Rate Environment
• Selecting Dependable Retirement Investments
• Developing a Withdrawal Rate and Spending Plan
• Setting an Appropriate Asset Allocation
• Planning for Healthcare and Long-Term Care in Retirement

Most Requested Stock Quotes GE Apple Berkshire Hathaway Amazon.com AT&T

Most Requested Stock Analyses

GE

Mattel

CVS Health

Allergan

Enbridge

Most Requested Fund Quotes Vanguard 500 Index Fidelity Contrafund Dodge & Cox Stock Vanguard Total Stock Market Index T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth

Most Requested Fund Analyses

Dodge & Cox Income

PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation

Fidelity Total Bond

Most Requested ETF Quotes SPDR S&P 500 ETF Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF Vanguard Dividend Appreciation PowerShares QQQ Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Most Requested ETF Analyses

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

IQ S&P High Yield Low Volatility Bd ETF

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Vanguard REIT ETF