Low Interest Rates, Uncharted Bond Markets, and the Income Conundrum
Extraordinary times may require adjusting expectations.
Markets
Market Indexes
Name
|
Value
|
Graph
|
Change
|
Change %
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Market | Closed | 10,777.92 |
3.94
|
−0.04%
|
| U.S. Mid Cap | Closed | 14,434.91 |
1.14
|
0.01%
|
| U.S. Small Cap | Closed | 13,763.90 |
29.30
|
0.21%
|
| DJIA | Closed | 33,874.24 |
71.34
|
−0.21%
|
| S&P 500 | Closed | 4,241.84 |
4.60
|
−0.11%
|
| NASDAQ | Closed | 14,271.73 |
18.46
|
0.13%
|
U.S. Barometer Closed
Gainers, Losers, Actives
Equity Name
|
Price Change
|
Percent Change
|
|---|---|---|
| Clover Health Investments Corp |
1.24
|
9.82%
|
| ContextLogic Inc |
0.02
|
0.15%
|
| AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc |
0.22
|
0.38%
|
| Ford Motor Co |
0.48
|
3.25%
|
| Apple Inc |
0.40
|
−0.30%
|
| Palantir Technologies Inc |
0.87
|
3.43%
|
| Plug Power Inc |
0.27
|
−0.79%
|
| General Electric Co |
0.07
|
−0.50%
|
| NIO Inc |
1.34
|
3.05%
|
| Ideanomics Inc |
0.28
|
10.00%
|
News
- Volkswagen Confirms It Is Considering Acquisition of Majority Stake in Europcar | Dow Jones
- FTSE Gains, Pound Expected to Rise Vs Euro on BOE Tapering | Dow Jones
- EUROPEAN MIDDAY BRIEFING: Banks Lead Stocks Higher -2- | Dow Jones
- EUROPEAN MIDDAY BRIEFING: Banks Lead Stocks Higher | Dow Jones
- North American Morning Briefing: Stock Futures -2- | Dow Jones
- North American Morning Briefing: Stock Futures Tick Up Ahead of Jobless Claims Data | Dow Jones
- North American Morning Briefing: Stock Futures -3- | Dow Jones
- FTSE 100 Rises With BOE Policy Decision in View | Dow Jones
- FTSE 100 Seen Edging Higher Ahead of BOE Decision | Dow Jones
- EMEA Morning Briefing: Uncertainty Over Fed -2- | Dow Jones
Features
Income Investing
What Retirees Get Right About Their Retirement Income
Instinctively, they understand how to stretch their portfolios.
For Inflation Protection, Commodities Belong in the 'Too Hard' Pile
On the pitfalls of defending against the slow, corrosive effects of inflation with an incredibly volatile asset.
Vanguard Is Adapting to Stiff Competition
Advice, high-conviction active, and private equity are three big initiatives.
Your Index Fund Is Changing Its Target Index. Now What?
Two Vanguard funds recently changed their benchmarks. We lay out what such events mean for fundholders.
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Who Wants Cryptocurrency in Their Retirement Plan?
Most people remain hesitant, but there's a small crypto-curious contingent.
Cryptocurrency: How Advisors Can Get Up to Speed
Education and resources so your clients don't end up knowing more than you.
Understanding the Risks, and Potential Rewards, of Crypto
Morningstar Investment Management's Dan Kemp explains what to consider before putting it in your portfolio.
ADVISOR INSIGHTS
The Tool Kit for Sponsoring Black Female Advisors
Having a mentor is good, but a sponsor can champion a career.
How Advisors Can Educate Themselves on the Immigrant Experience
Here are ways financial advisors can better understand clients' culture to bring about better advice.
How Advisors Can Help LGBTQ Clients With Planning
Here are some tips to consider and mishaps to avoid when working with the LGBTQ community.
10 Promising Stocks to Consider
These companies are growing their competitive advantages--and their stocks are undervalued.
Dividend Stocks Are Back, Fixed Income Not So Much
The value rotation has given new life to laggard equity-income strategies.
Ultimate Stock-Pickers
How to Build a Portfolio You Don't Have to Babysit
Take these steps to become more of a hands-off investor.
The Hidden Assumptions of Financial Calculators
Don't ignore the program's defaults.
Stock Futures Tick Up Ahead of Jobless Claims Data
The trend reflects investors' easing concerns about higher inflation and tighter monetary policy.
What If Biden's Capital Gains Tax Is Retroactive?
The proposal’s fine print suggests the effective date could already be in the past.
There Are Many Ways to be a Value Investor
Value investing’s strong long-term track record makes a compelling argument in favor of cheap over expensive.
8 of Our Favorite Little Funds
Here are some under-the-radar gems.
Christine Benz
Get Financial Advice First, Investment Advice Later
John Rekenthaler
3 Solutions for Index-Fund Voting
Susan Dziubinski
The Investor's Guide to Charitable Giving in 2021
Amy C. Arnott
Does Factor Profile Diversification Still Work?
Phuong Luong
The Myth of the 'Asian American' Client
Karen Wallace
What To Look For in Benefits From a New Job
10 Promising Stocks to Consider
These companies are growing their competitive advantages--and their stocks are undervalued.
Top 10 Holdings of Our Ultimate Stock-Pickers' Index
Large-cap strategies continue to underperform the market through 2020.
Morningstar's Guide to Market Volatility
For investors of all stripes, we offer our best ideas on how to take control of your portfolio in turbulent times.
Morningstar's Guide to Stock Investing
Here's how our approach to investing can inform your stock-picking process.
How to Invest Like Warren Buffett
Here's the recipe that one of the greatest investors uses to pick stocks.
How to Build a Portfolio You Don't Have to Babysit
Take these steps to become more of a hands-off investor.
Get Financial Advice First, Investment Advice Later
Investors with more human than financial capital should seek advice on their entire financial life and not just investments.
Why You Should Stop Taking Investment Advice From Social Media
A boom in young and overconfident investors has led to the rise of investment influencers on social-media platforms, but following their advice blindly is not a solid strategy.
Morningstar's Guide to Life-Stage Investing
Maps to follow no matter where you are in your investing life.
Morningstar's Money Guide for New Graduates
Designed for recent graduates, our guide walks through creating financial habits, planning for the future, and starting a new job.
Waiving Vaccine IP Doesn't Affect Market Assessment
Following the news the Biden administration supports a proposed waiver on intellectual property protection for COVID-19 vaccines, we are not changing our FVEs to COVID-19 vaccine firms.
Are Vaccinemakers Attractive Today?
Here are a few drugmakers we like that are undervalued.
First-Quarter Market Insights in 8 Charts
Our market commentary covers the lasting impact of the Trump Administration’s trade policies, the rise of SPACs, and more.
After 2020's Market Crash, How Should Investors Prepare?
What the shortest market crash in history can teach us about weathering volatility.
One Year Later: Lessons Learned From the 2020 Bear Market
The biggest takeaway from that period is not to panic when the market tumbles.
3 Funds for Emerging-Markets Bond Exposure
Amid a mixed start to 2021, here are three compelling options for a stake in the sector.
8 of Our Favorite Little Funds
Here are some under-the-radar gems.
Are You Overpaying for Your Sector Fund?
Specialized sector funds can mean higher fees for investors.
Morningstar's Guide to Fund Investing
Here's how our analysis and ratings can inform how you choose funds.
Morningstar's Guide to Target-Date Investing
Learn how these investments work, what to look for when choosing one, and which ones earn our highest ratings.
A Sneak Preview of Secure Act Regulations
Changes to the minimum distribution rules get some added wrinkles from the IRS.
The Myth of the 'Asian American' Client
There is no one-size-fits-all financial advice for the incredibly diverse Asian American audience, so it is important to understand your clients on a case-by-case basis.
Is Your Succession Plan Future-Focused?
Here are some best practices for developing the next generation of leadership for your firm.
Understanding Regulation on Cryptocurrency
Contrary to popular belief, there is more substantial regulatory clarity for cryptoassets than many advisors think.
Helping Clients With an ESG Investing Policy Statement
How can you help them define "enough"?
The Best Accounts for Heavy Savers
An HSA's tax benefits are hard to beat, but there are other options as well.
The Time Is Right for Aftertax 401(k) Contributions
The prospect of higher taxes and the uptake of in-plan conversions make this maneuver a no-brainer for heavy savers who have access to it.
Retirees: How Inflation-Tough Is Your Portfolio and Plan?
Here's how to check.
Special Report: Are You Ready to Retire?
Let us walk you through practical steps to ensure you're on the right track for retirement.
A Retirement Readiness Checklist
Determining if you're on track to retire can be more manageable if you break it into smaller steps.
What Are Green Bonds?
How to consider whether they might be a good fit for your portfolio.
ESG Model Portfolios Don't Have to Cost More Green
Going all-in on ESG investments doesn’t mean you have to pay high fees.
The Battle at Exxon Was About More Than Board Seats
It brings shareholder-driven climate governance to the forefront.
How to Balance ESG and Market Representation
Pure ESG investments require trade-offs.
Helping Clients With an ESG Investing Policy Statement
How can you help them define "enough"?