The revenue of US dividend stocks isn’t necessarily made in America. A portfolio of popular dividend-paying stocks is likely exposed to currency or geopolitical risks. That’s due to international revenue exposure: Some US-based companies earn 50% or more of their money outside of the country. A recent analysis of 35 dividend-paying stocks in Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter found several well-known names generate sizable revenue overseas. So, how should investors balance US vs. non-US equity exposure? Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter editor David Harrell explains what investors should know. Learn about Morningstar’s new Medalist Ratings for semiliquid funds during a live webinar on Morningstar’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, September 10th. CEO Kunal Kapoor and Global Head of Manager Research Laura Lutton will discuss what investors should know about private assets and the first funds to earn the new rating on the Investors First series. On this episode:You recently analyzed the international revenue exposure of dozens of dividend-paying stocks. But this wasn’t the first time. Why did you decide to revisit this?Let’s dissect the investigation. How did you choose which stocks to focus on, and what was the criteria? How did the recent results compare to the findings in 2021? Were there any surprises?Let’s zoom in on the revenue. Which dividend stocks increased or decreased their US revenue exposure?Morningstar analysts consider some of these dividend payers undervalued. Let’s first focus on names with more US revenue exposure. Who are they?Which companies with more international revenue exposure are undervalued?International stocks are having a long-awaited banner year versus US stocks. Are investors whose only international revenue exposure is these US-based stocks benefiting from this international rally?How should investors balance US vs. non-US equity exposure in their portfolios? That is, what if investors looking at their portfolio see that they have home-country bias? What should they consider from a diversification standpoint?Welcome to Investing Insights, Kunal. Let’s get started with you telling the audience a bit about your career here at Morningstar. It started back in the late 90s, right?Your series, Investors First, is airing live on YouTube for the first time on September 10th. Can you tell us about the mission behind it? What are you hoping to achieve with the series?It’s important to have these conversations with investors. What can Morningstar do to further empower them?Investors have experienced a lot of short-term volatility this year. How do folks stay focused on their long-term goals? Read about topics from this episode. Subscribe to Morningstar’s DividendInvestor newsletter. Why 2025 Is the Year to Invest in International Stocks Why It’s Not Too Late to Add International Exposure What Investors Can Learn from Dow’s 50% Dividend Cut Where to Find Bargain Stocks in an Expensive Market Watch more from the Investors First series:Investors First: Evolving Expectations and Expanding Access Where Should Investors Look Next Among Economic Mixed Messages? Investors First: Navigating the Rise of Active ETFs in a Competitive Market Investors First: The Convergence of Public and Private Markets What to watch from Morningstar. This Classic Investment Strategy Is Still Alive in 2025 These 16 Standout Funds Are Making Big Bets. Do They Fit in Your Investment Portfolio?Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now) Read what our team is writing.David Harrell Kunal KapoorIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/
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21:44
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21:44
This Classic Investment Strategy Is Still Alive in 2025
Is the 60/40 portfolio living up to its reputation of resilience this year? The merit of a classic portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds has been a matter of debate in recent years. A diversified 60/40 strategy failed to protect investors in 2022’s broad market crash—in fact, an all-stock portfolio would have held up better. However, a historical deep dive from Morningstar concluded that the tried-and-true approach lessened the pain in almost all of the worst market crashes in 150 years better than an all-stock portfolio. Morningstar Inc Portfolio Strategist Amy Arnott discusses the 60/40 portfolio’s ups and downs and its performance in 2025.On this episode:What is a 60/40 portfolio, and why is it popular? We often hear claims that the 60/40 portfolio is “dead” or obsolete. Why does it get criticized so much? Some of that criticism flared up in 2022. Why was the performance so bad for the 60/40 portfolio that year? Volatility has rocked the markets in 2025. How has the classic investment strategy done so far this year? Are there any asset classes that have performed better so far in 2025? Why? And which ones have struggled? Interest rates are sitting above 4%, but market watchers are anticipating the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September. What could that mean for the fixed-income part of the 60/40 portfolio? How do you think the 60/40 portfolio will perform over the next few years? Should people still rely on the 60/40 portfolio, or is another strategy better like the 70/30 or 50/30/20, which can be a mix of stocks, bonds, and alternatives? The tried-and-true strategy has proved its worth. So, what’s the final takeaway for current retirees, future retirees, or anyone seeking less risk?Read about topics from this episode. The 60/40 Portfolio: A 150-Year Markets Stress TestIs the 60/40 Portfolio Feeling ’22?What We’ve Learned From 150 Years of Stock Market CrashesHow Does Your 60/40 Portfolio Allocation Compare With the Pros?Why 2025 Is the Year to Invest in International StocksWhy It’s Not Too Late to Add International ExposureWhy Holding Assets Outside the US Dollar Has Paid Off in 2025How to Use Gold in Your PortfolioPortfolio Diversification Is Winning in 2025 What to watch from Morningstar. These 16 Standout Funds Are Making Big Bets. Do They Fit in Your Investment Portfolio?Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now)Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is Good Read what our team is writing.Amy ArnottIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/
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14:48
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14:48
These 16 Standout Funds Are Making Big Bets. Do They Fit in Your Investment Portfolio?
It can sometimes seem like there’s an endless number of mutual funds for you to invest in. But not all of them are a right fit for your portfolio—and some aren’t worthy investments at all. A popular feature from Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter greatly shrinks the list and can help you home in on the winners. Russ Kinnel is the newsletter editor and senior principal of ratings for Morningstar Research Services. And he’s here to brag about his thrilling funds list. On this episode:Let’s begin with the idea behind the thrilling funds list. How did this get started, and what’s the mission? You start with thousands of fund share classes. How do you narrow the list to a few dozen, and what are you looking for? Thirty-three funds met your high standards and made the cut, and they’re all repeats. Did that surprise you? What kept some funds off this year’s list?A select group of these standouts are making big bets. Let’s start with the only thrilling fund from the diversified emerging-markets category.A trio of foreign large growth funds from Fidelity are focusing heavily on financials and industrials. What’s their story, and what makes each of these unique? Can you describe the funds that are wagering big time on the tech sector? The healthcare sector has struggled this year. But some funds from Vanguard, Fidelity, and Dodge & Cox appear ready to benefit from a rebound, right? Talk about those funds. Where should fixed-income investors look if they’re tweaking that side of their portfolio? Which income and dividend-focused funds are outshining their category peers? And finally, how can the audience test the funds in their portfolio against your thrilling list? Read about topics from this episode. The Thrilling 33How Smart People Screen for FundsStop Screening Funds This WayWorried About a Market Selloff? These 10 Funds Reduce Portfolio RiskThe Big Secret to Long-Term Investment SuccessHoly Smokes! These Funds Could Get Barbecued4 New Funds on Our RadarMorningstar Medalist Rating for Funds What to watch from Morningstar. Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now)Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is GoodThis Dividend Investing Strategy Deserves a Second Look Read what our team is writing.Russel KinnelIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/
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11:33
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11:33
Market Volatility: Investors Are Seeking Safety in Gold ETFs. Is It Working?
Investors are piling into global gold ETFs for a safe haven from uncertainty. Demand surged in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from the World Gold Council. The industry trade group points to geopolitical turmoil, global trade policies, and higher gold prices for driving interest in these ETFs. The lure of investing in gold ETFs can vary from wanting to diversify a portfolio, hedge against inflation risks, or simply bet on rising prices. Bryan Armour explains what you should know about this speculative asset. He’s the director of ETF and passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar Research Services. On this episode:What are gold ETFs, how many types are there, and how do they work? The World Gold Council says there was strong demand for global gold ETFs in the first half of 2025. How much money has flowed in and out of these ETFs, and what’s your take on that?How have gold ETFs held up against market volatility in 2025? How does it compare with other periods of uncertainty? Let’s talk about your recent article about how to choose the right gold ETFs. You pointed out that a two-month launch difference helped create a big gap in assets between the two largest gold ETFs. Can you talk about the rivalry between SPDR Gold Shares GLD and iShares Gold Trust IAU?You listed those two ETFs and several others as top gold ETFs in your article. What makes one of these ETFs different from the other? What should investors zoom in on to find the right ETF for them? How do trading costs affect buy-and-hold investors and day traders differently?The IRS applies a different tax treatment to gold than stocks or bonds. What should investors know? What are the best gold ETFs, and why?Let’s quickly pivot to another speculative asset. People sometimes refer to bitcoin as digital gold. Is that a fair comparison? How has it performed so far this year?Would you say gold ETFs or bitcoin has served as a better hedge?Read about topics from this episode. Digging for Gold With ETFs 5 Tips for Trading ETFs How to Use Gold in Your Portfolio Commodities vs. Gold: Which Is the Better Inflation Hedge? 3 ETFs to Diversify Your Portfolio Diversification Landscape: Building Diversified PortfoliosMorningstar′s Guide to ETF Investing What to watch from Morningstar. Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now) Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is GoodThis Dividend Investing Strategy Deserves a Second LookMarket Volatility: Is Your Investment Portfolio Ready for a US-EU Trade Deal? Read what our team is writing.Bryan ArmourIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/
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12:25
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12:25
Why Bonds Belong in Your Diversified Portfolio (Even Now)
Fixed-income investors, bonds are rising to the occasion and looking attractive again. Their yields are higher, and they have delivered as diversifiers against stock sell-offs this year. Yet, uncertainty has muddled the outlook as the bond market seeks clarity about tariffs, inflation, and interest rates.Paul Olmsted covers US fixed-income strategies for Morningstar Research Services. The senior manager research analyst explains why you need bonds for a balanced portfolio.Let’s start with how you’re thinking about the bond market in 2025. Can you talk about what you have considered key moments this year? As a follow-up, what is at the core of the bond market’s concerns?We’re recording this episode on July 30th around 10:30am. The Fed is expected to announce their interest-rate decision this afternoon. Market watchers are predicting the Fed will hold rates steady. High interest rates pose a risk to bonds. What other risks should investors watch out for now? Some bond investors are seeking a “Powell hedge” due to expectations that Trump could oust the Fed Chair. What are they hedging against, and is this something everyday investors need to think about? What’s the probability of Trump firing Powell before the Fed Chair’s term ends in May 2026, and who would be the ideal candidate? We have talked about how the memory of the worst bond market ever in 2022 is still lingering. However, bonds served as diversifiers during stock sell-offs earlier this year. Why do you think bonds can’t shake the bad rap?What’s the optimal bond allocation in a diversified portfolio during a high-rate environment? Should investors focus more on whether their holdings are short- or long-term, or is credit quality a bigger issue?What are the best bonds for portfolio diversification?What’s the takeaway for fixed-income investors for the rest of 2025? Read about topics from this episode. Investors Should Embrace Elevated Bond Yields3 Principles to Invest By, Whatever Comes NextWhy the Fed’s Independence Matters to Markets, the Economy, and Your Wallet4 Top-Performing High-Yield Bond FundsTariffs and Dollar Weakness Tested US ResilienceIncome Opportunities Remain at the Front End of the Yield Curve What to watch from Morningstar. Covered-Call ETFs Are Booming. But Not All Yield Is GoodThis Dividend Investing Strategy Deserves a Second LookMarket Volatility: Is Your Investment Portfolio Ready for a US-EU Trade Deal?Market Volatility: 4 Key Factors to Track in Q3 2025 Read what our team is writing.Paul OlmstedIvanna Hampton Follow us on social media.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X: https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstar... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5161/