Best of Ideas Week

Gear up for the new year with Morningstar analyst insights on the economy and state of the recovery; our top equity, bond, and ETF picks; critical portfolio-planning opportunities; how Washington reforms may shake out for your investments; our Ultimate Contrarian Moves; and much more.

Morningstar Research Director Tips & Picks
Bob Johnson's Economic Outlook for 2010
Pat Dorsey's Picks: Education, Energy, and Financials
Pat Dorsey's Picks in Health Care, Tech, and Utilities
Josh Peters' Dividend Hunting Grounds
Scott Burns' Best ETF Ideas for 2010
Christine Benz's Top Six Planning Tips for 2010

Most Popular Ideas Week Articles
Our Best Ideas for Hands-Off Investors
Five Great Funds That Own Wide-Moat Stocks
Inside Morningstar's 401(k)
Pockets of Opportunity
Steer Clear from These Firms

Most Popular Ideas Week Videos
Why Housing Could Come Back with a Vengeance
Josh Peters' Dividend Hunting Grounds
Pat's Picks: Health Care, Tech, Basic Materials, Utilities
Burns' Best ETF Ideas for 2010

Monday (Dec. 7)
Economy: Get a macro view with our 2010 GDP forecast, recovery health check, market valuation analysis (including pockets of opportunity), and financial and health-care reform updates.

The Economy in 2010
Morningstar's Bob Johnson kicks off Ideas Week with 10 answers on the economic recovery, stimulus, jobs, the outlook for 2010, and the upside left in the market.

The Easy Money Has Been Made
After the market runup, investors have to be pickier about where they put their cash.

Why Housing Could Come Back with a Vengeance
With housing starts well below natural demand, the housing market could power back as the employment market gains strength.

How Banks Will Weather Reform
A look at the major regulatory proposals, potential risks, and competitive realities that will separate the winners from the losers among banks.

Moment of Truth for Health Care
After a tumultuous 2009, health-care's recession-resistant reputation has been tarnished; will it have better luck with reform?

Overview: What to Expect in Fixed Income
Morningstar's director of fixed-income strategies, Eric Jacobson, on interest rates and the expected impact on bond portfolios.

Tuesday (Dec. 8)
Stocks: After a furious rally, investors must pick their positions more carefully. Our stock analysts and equity strategists survey the sectors to uncover today's remaining opportunities and stocks for your radar in case of a pullback.

Pockets of Opportunity
Get our analysts' best stock ideas for the new year, big themes to watch, and some names to keep on your radar screen.

Pat's Picks: Education, Energy, and Financials
Despite the market run-up, Pat Dorsey still sees opportunity in for-profit education, pipelines, some financials.

Pat Dorsey's Picks in Health Care, Tech, and Utilities
Health care is probably the most single attractive area that we see right now, but there are some pretty good opportunities in utilities, too, says Morningstar's director of equity research.

Josh Peters' Dividend Hunting Grounds
The Morningstar equity strategist on where he's finding opportunity today, plus a contrarian play.

Bad Ideas: Steer Clear from These Firms
You won't have a happy new year with these stocks.

Wednesday (Dec. 9)
Mutual Funds: Our fund analysts slice and dice the mutual fund universe to uncover enticing offerings for a variety of investors, including fund ideas for income-seekers, contrarians, and the risk-averse.

Our Best Ideas for Hands-Off Investors
These low-maintenance funds serve as great core investments.

Five Great Funds That Own Wide-Moat Stocks
These funds prove that quality never goes out of fashion.

Contrarian Investment Ideas for 2010
A few against-the-grain ideas that should pay off in the new year.

Need Yield? These Stock Funds Have Income
Try this screen for dividend-seeking funds with winning long-term records.

Buying the Year's Hottest Performers
There's a long-term case for emerging markets, but you may already have enough.

Inside Morningstar's 401(k)
Which mutual funds make our list? Morningstar director of fund research Russ Kinnel, who sits on the committee that selects the funds, offers a rundown.

Ideas from Top Vanguard Managers
Scuttlebutt from recent conversations and analyses of Vanguard subadvisors.

Thursday (Dec. 10)
ETFs: Morningstar's Scott Burns offers his top ETF picks (and some to avoid), plus get our take on 2010's big ETF trends, picks and pitfalls in commodity ETFs, and more.

Best ETF Ideas for 2010
Scott Burns places his bets on the best funds for next year, as well as some tips on what to avoid.

What's on Tap for ETFs in 2010
Between new entrants into the ETF space and further slicing of the market, investors should be ready for an onslaught of new offerings next year, says Morningstar's Scott Burns.

The Best (And Worst) Performing ETFs in 2009
Coal and emerging markets did well, while natural gas and Treasuries brought up the rear.

Where to Get Commodity Exposure in 2010
ETFs offer an easy way to get into the commodity market, but make sure you know what you are buying.

Friday (Dec. 11)
Portfolio Planning: Is diversification dead? Will inflation weigh? Get portfolio insights from Morningstar's Ibbotson group, financial planning musts for 2010, and an ultimate contrarian portfolio tip from Morningstar's director of personal finance, Christine Benz.

Top Six Financial-Planning Tips for 2010
A get-it-done guide to jumpstart your portfolio in the new year.

Contrarian Portfolio Move: Don't Save
Morningstar director of personal finance Christine Benz says in some cases, saving may not be your best strategy.

Be Smart about Inflation Protection
Morningstar's director of personal finance Christine Benz outlines your best bets for coming out ahead after inflation.

Don't Despair Over the Dollar
Morningstar.com markets editor Jeremy Glaser assuages dollar doubts and says there are actually benefits to a weaker greenback.

5 Moves for Downside Protection
Strategies for reducing volatility in your portfolio.

Did Diversification Fail in 2008?
Peng Chen, president of Morningstar's Ibbotson Associates, says diversification is able to mitigate, but not eliminate, risk.

• Is Diversification Dead?