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Weekly Wrap: How Funds, Stocks, and Investors Continue to Fare Against the Coronavirus

We recap the week on Morningstar.com and note the most popular stocks, funds, and exchange-traded funds.

Editor's note: Read the latest on how the coronavirus is rattling the markets and what investors can do to navigate it.

Editor's Picks 5 of the Biggest Fund Downgrades of 2020 Two Vanguard funds get downgrades. 3 Buys in Berkshire Hathaway's Portfolio These stocks are all undervalued according to our metrics. Our Ultimate Stock-Pickers' Top 10 High-Conviction Purchases Several funds see value in industrials and financial services; Berkshire Hathaway sells airlines stock. OK, People: It's Time to Think Big If the past few months have given you more time for introspection, use it to improve your financial plan in a big-picture way. Will Stock and Bond Performance Converge? Considering the possibility of a new investment paradigm. 5 Investing Mistakes to Avoid Christine Benz discusses pitfalls investors encounter as they navigate volatility and recovery.

Portfolio Planning and Personal Finance With Christine Benz Rethinking Retirement Income We examine the implications of this market for retirees.

Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds A Wild Ride Through Muniland Usually a relatively stable part of the market, munis have seen an uptick in volatility in the past several months. Dividend Growth for Yield Why actively managed dividend-growth strategies may be income-oriented investors' best bet. An Outstanding Option for Exposure to U.S. Dividend-Paying Stocks A broadly diversified portfolio and a contrarian rebalancing approach should give the fund an edge. A Top-Rated Target-Date Series With Tactical Acumen Although a manager change looms large, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend has responsibly planned for succession. 3 Dividend ETFs That Play Good Defense Here's a look at how these Morningstar Medalists are holding up in the face of a crisis.

Stocks Don't Be Scared of Diamondback and Viper Here are two undervalued ideas to ride out the challenging times in energy. Consistent, Predictable Dividends in Multi-Industrials Eaton Corporation is trading at a discount to our fair value estimate. Discounts Remain in Multi-Industrials We find several undervalued stocks and one compelling bargain. Target Outperforms, but No Change to Our Long-Term View We still believe the pandemic's long-term consequences will be limited for Target, as it should be held captive by an intensely competitive long-term pricing environment. 10 Downgraded Stocks We've cut our economic moat ratings on these notable names. Key Takeaways From Banks' First-Quarter Earnings We're maintaining our call on the U.S. banks and will know a lot more by the second quarter. Stock Analyst Updates Berkshire a Net Seller of Equities So Far This Year Few surprises in filing, but sale of Goldman Sachs stake stands out in the first quarter. Early Moderna Data Supports Vaccine by 2021 We're not expecting any changes to our fair value estimates for vaccine manufacturers, however, as most of the firms in our coverage with vaccine candidates have already stated that selling prices would be at a not-for-profit level. Safe Work Environment Costs Hinder Home Depot Profits We are maintaining our fair value estimate and long-term outlook for the wide-moat essential business. Mixed First-Quarter Results at Walmart, Shares Rich Our long-term view of the wide-moat retailer remains in place, and we suggest investors await a more attractive entry point. Liquidity Still Good for Kohl's After Huge Loss We expect to reduce our fair value estimate but view shares as undervalued. J&J Halts Talc Powder Sales in U.S. and Canada Our valuation and moat rating aren't affected by this company's decision. Raising Our Fair Value Estimate for Nvidia Product launches and Mellanox acquisition bode well, but we view shares as overvalued.

Rekenthaler Report From the Archives: Pale Yale--What the Yale Model Can't Teach Retail Investors The situations of the Yale Endowment Fund and most individual investors are worlds apart.

Advisor Insights More on the Troubling Framework of the Retirement Plan Industry Contributor Scott Simon takes a deep dive into the ways plan sponsors may unwittingly expose plan participants to conflicts of interest.

The Long View Rick Rieder: Nobody Has Ever Seen Anything Like This The prominent manager of BlackRock Global Allocation Fund addresses the COVID-19 pandemic's macroeconomic impacts and their implications for asset allocation and investing.

The Short Answer Should I Start Investing With Stocks or Mutual Funds? You should probably start with a fund. Here's some advice on getting started.

Commentary Where Risk Models Can Miss the Mark Standard risk assumptions don't fully account for the market's extreme events. Why You Should Still Care About Inflation It hasn't been much of an issue lately, but it's still a long-term threat. Morningstar's Money Guide for New Graduates 7 Pieces of Financial Advice for New Graduates How you can help your loved ones get on the right track financially, even in a pandemic. 3 Ways to Find Money in Your Budget to Invest Christine Benz suggests setting a savings target, adjusting that target as your salary increases, and automating your contributions. An Investing Road Map for Early Career Accumulators Tips on getting the most bang for your investment dollars when you're just starting out. What Does It Take to Have a $1 Million 401(k)? Saving a considerable amount for retirement might not be as hard as you think. 8 Great Starter Funds These Gold and Silver medalists are good options for your first fund.

Most Requested Stock Quotes Apple Microsoft Berkshire Hathaway Facebook Wells Fargo

Most Requested Fund Quotes Vanguard Dividend Growth T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Vanguard 500 Index Fidelity Contrafund Fidelity 500 Index

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

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About the Author

Carole Hodorowicz

Audience Engagement Editor
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Carole Hodorowicz is an audience engagement editor for Morningstar.com. Focusing on the individual investor audience, she manages content, creates explainer videos, and writes articles about different topics in finance for beginners.

Hodorowicz joined Morningstar in 2015 as a customer support representative for Morningstar Office before moving into an editorial role.

Hodorowicz holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University.

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