Morningstar's Most Popular for 2016

This week, we're looking at the most read articles, the most watched videos, and the most research stocks, funds, and ETFs in 2016.

Most Read Articles in 2016 The New 401(k) Argument: Vanguard Costs Too Much So, apparently, do some index funds.

Most Investors Probably Won't Outperform This Simple Portfolio A portfolio of low-cost index funds isn't a bad starting point for the average investor.

4 Dividend-Payers From the Ultimate Stock-Pickers These firms are both trading at a significant discount to their fair value estimates and offer a solid dividend yield.

A Social Security and Medicare Checklist for Near-Retirees Be sure to navigate the sign-up processes for these programs properly, warns Morningstar contributor Mark Miller.

Buy the Unloved 2016 Picks in three categories for the contrarian investor.

Your 2016 Financial To-Do List: Month by Month A month-by-month framework covering everything from your portfolio to taxes to getting organized.

Kinnel's Fantastic 45 Funds Out of a universe of nearly 8,000 mutual funds, only these 45 passed Russ Kinnel's strict screen for fantastic funds.

10 Great Balanced Funds There are plenty of funds to like in our new allocation 50% to 70% equity Morningstar Category.

Morningstar Names Best 529 College-Savings Plans for 2016 Thirty-three plans are Morningstar Medalists, and three receive Negative ratings.

Retirement-Planning Assumptions: Yes, You Can Be Too Conservative The risks of oversaving and underspending are real, too.

Most Watched Videos in 2016 5 Fund Picks for Dividend Investors Morningstar's Russ Kinnel shares his favorite funds for dividend growth and dividend yield.

6 Funds That Stand Tall Amid 2016's Market Rout Defensive-minded funds holding cash, gold, and high-quality companies have tended to outperform peers so far this year, says Morningstar's Russ Kinnel.

6 Elite Muni Funds Morningstar's Beth Foos shares some of our top picks for tax-sensitive investors seeking short-term, longer-term, or high-yield muni funds.

Benz: My Favorite Funds for IRAs Whether you're nearing retirement or still accumulating, these Morningstar analyst-approved holdings are great candidates for tax-sheltered accounts.

The Picks Panel: Best Ideas From Morningstar Analysts Whether you need to fill a hole in your retirement portfolio or want to find a world-class company at a bargain-basement stock price, a trio of Morningstar specialists share their shopping lists of topnotch candidates.

Our Favorite Funds for Retirement Portfolios Christine Benz's bucket portfolios for retirees focus on simplicity, diversification, and low costs.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide With This Fund Bronze-rated Vanguard FTSE Social Index offers low-cost, core exposure to socially responsible companies.

Preparing for Lower Long-Term Returns Investors may not be rewarded for risk-taking during the next several years, so they should tweak their spending and saving patterns instead, says financial-planning expert Michael Kitces.

Dos and Don'ts in a Volatile Market Consider rebalancing and pulling forward IRA contributions, but don't get overexcited about buying opportunities or short-term market movements, says Morningstar's Christine Benz.

Going Defensive? Look at These 3 Funds Amid turmoil around the world, this may be a good time to consider defensive funds to stay invested and dial down the risk, says Morningstar's Russ Kinnel.

Most Read Fund Analyst Reports in 2016

Vanguard Dividend Growth

Vanguard Wellesley Income

Vanguard Wellington

Fidelity Strategic Income

Fairholme

T. Rowe Price Institutional Large Cap Growth

Vanguard PRIMECAP

Sequoia

Dodge & Cox Stock

Mairs & Power Small Cap

Most Read Stock Analyst Reports in 2016

Allergan

Gilead Sciences

Amgen

Valeant Pharmaceuticals

Apple

Wells Fargo

Roche Holding

Deere & Co

Novartis

IBM

Most Read ETF Reports in 2016

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

Vanguard REIT ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

iShares US Preferred Stock

Vanguard Energy ETF

SPDR S&P Dividend ETF

Vanguard 500 ETF