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 Volatility has come back in a big way in 2018, with investors worried about everything from inflation to new tariffs. Director of personal finance Christine Benz shares five things that retirees can do to take the edge off in tumultuous markets.

5.2%

Shares of

that

"This news does not alter our wide moat rating for Intel, but it certainly corroborates our negative moat trend assessment of the chip titan. Our $41 fair value estimate is also intact and shares still look expensive despite the pullback."

28 In a study of 28 brains from healthy organ donors ages 14 to 79, scientists discovered that aging brains produce just as many new cells as younger brains do, Fox News reported. For decades, researchers believed that aging brains stop making new cells.

16% The gig economy is hot. But when it comes to retirement, perhaps not. The number of workers employed in non-full-time alternative work arrangements is rising rapidly, but these "gig" workers face daunting challenges preparing for retirement, writes Morningstar contributor Mark Miller.

"Gig workers are hamstrung by lower earnings and less predictable income streams. A survey last year by the Harris Poll for Prudential found that they had average earnings roughly half of full-time workers ($36,500, compared with $62,700). Just 16% said they had access to an employer sponsored retirement plan; 40% had health insurance, and 5% had short-term disability insurance."

28 Following 2017's spectacular 22% gain, the Morningstar Global Markets Index slipped 0.8% in 2018's first quarter as volatility ticked up. The market-cap-weighted price/fair value estimate ratio for our equity analysts' coverage was 0.99 as of March 29, indicating that the median stock we cover is about fairly valued. But that doesn't mean that there aren't opportunities to be found. Here, our equity analysts provide their takes on the biggest themes and the 28 best investment opportunities across sectors.

3 Fixed-income markets were turbulent in the first quarter of 2018, owing to three main factors: rising rates, a weakening dollar, and end-of-credit-cycle anxiety, said manager research analyst Emory Zink. She gives her take on first-quarter bond sector performance.

Most Popular Articles

• 28 Undervalued Stocks
• Midstream Energy Offers Moats at a Discount
• Stock Market Outlook: Stocks Looks Slightly Overvalued Today
• Making Annuities More Attractive
• First Quarter in U.S. Stock Funds: The Return of Volatility

Most Popular Videos

• 5 Ways Retirees Can Take the Edge Off in Volatile Markets
• 5 To-Dos for Retirees as Volatility Returns
• Kinnel's Favorite IRA Fund Picks
• Tesla's Cash Burn, Debt Finally Getting Attention
• Our Best Fixed-Income Ideas for IRAs

Most Requested Stock Quotes IBM Amazon.com Facebook Apple GE

Most Requested Fund Quotes Vanguard 500 Index Fidelity Contrafund Vanguard Total Stock Market Index PRIMECAP Odyssey Growth Fund T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth

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