Matthew Dolgin, senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, talks about why companies are focusing on sports streaming as competition heats up. Plus, the path they could take to improve their financial situations. Netflix’s Dominance   Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s New Sports-Focused Streaming Service How Companies Can Expand into Streaming The Role of Sports in Streaming NBA TV Deal Why are Apple and Amazon Tough Competitors? Streaming Services With Compelling Growth Stories  Streaming Company Stock Picks   Read about topics from this episode.  ..read more

Dan Sotiroff and Todd Trubey, senior manager research analysts for Morningstar Research Services, discuss what makes a great dividend fund, the trade-offs that are costing some investors, and the risks to watch for. Dividend Income, Dividend Growth, and Dividend Income and Growth Dividend Fund Risks Should Dividend Yield Be a Top Priority?  Dividend Funds vs Passive Options  What Advantage Do Actively Managed Funds Have Over Broadly Diversified Passive Funds? How to Find a Great Dividend Fund Passively Managed Dividend Fund Picks Actively Managed Fund Picks   Read about topics f ..read more

John Rekenthaler, vice president of research for Morningstar Research Services, explains how Morningstar’s study confirmed the 4% retirement rule and discusses why it’s important for new retirees to be flexible with their spending. Six Retirement Withdrawal Strategies that Stretch Savings What Has Changed with Retirement Withdrawal Rates? Trade Offs to a Conversative Start with Your Portfolio Risks and Benefits of Changing a Portfolio’s Stock Allocation Flexible Spending Strategies   The Role of Guaranteed Income Key Takeaways   Read about topics from this episode.   S ..read more

Tori Dunlap, the author of Financial Feminist, talks about why women should stop feeling guilty about their spending and why they should keep their finances separate from their partner’s. Her First $100K Loud Budgeting Why We Spend and How to Not Feel Guilty About It Should You Rent or Buy a Home? Women’s Economic Empowerment Financial Education as Protest Making More Women Rich How to Be Fearless When It Comes to Money Read about topics from this episode.   The C-Suite Gender Pay Gap Persists. It’s Not About Pay Discrimination.  Women Get Less Support Than Men For Key Board Rol ..read more

Mark Miller, author of Retirement Reboot, explains why Social Security benefits are taxable, and how a bill aiming to eliminate taxes on Social Security would pay for the program.   Read more about these topics from this episode. Salesforce Earnings: Firm Declares a Dividend https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/salesforce-earnings-firm-declares-dividend Snowflake Earnings: Revenue Outlook Disappoints; New CEO Taking Over https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/snowflake-earnings-revenue-outlook-disappoints-new-ceo-taking-over Macy’s Earnings: Another Strategic Plan Is Unveiled, but Sales Gr ..read more

Walmart shares are overvalued, but Nvidia and Home Depot are fairly valued. Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway released its 13F for Q42023, and only two ETFs were on it – one of them earns the coveted Gold rating.  Walmart’s Q4 Exceeded Expectations Nvidia’s Stellar Quarter and AI Demand Home Depot Felt Macro Pressures in Q4 Berkshire Hathaway Releases Its 13F SPY and VOO People and Process Pillar Ratings Why Does Vanguard Have a Better Rating? Structural Differences Between SPY and VOO Outlook for Vanguard in 2024 Vanguard’s 2024 International Business Outlook Advice in 2024   Read ..read more

Maciej Kowara, strategist for Morningstar Research Services, and Alec Lucas, director of manager research for Morningstar Research Services, talk about what surprised them about their research about bond investments. Typical Bond Portfolio How to Create Portfolio Optimized for Best Risk-Adjusted Returns Sharpe-Optimized Portfolio   Bank Loans and Corporate Bonds Why Should Investors Trust This Portfolio? Risk-Adjusted Portfolio vs. 60/40 Portfolio How Investors Can Use Our Research What Could Go Wrong with a Risk-Adjusted Portfolio?   Read about topics from this episode. &n ..read more

Noah Rohr, equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, explains how Walmart’s stock split will work, and what he’s looking for in the retailer’s earnings report. Sylvester Flood, senior product manager for Morningstar Inc, tells Ruth Saldanha, editorial manager for Morningstar Research Inc, why the demand for spot bitcoin ETFs is expected to grow.   Disney’s Climbing Margins in Q1 Ford’s Cutting Costs After UAW Strike CVS 2024 Outlook Trimmed Walmart Stock Split Why Is Walmart Splitting Its Stock? Will This Stock Split Help Investors? What to Look for in Walmart’s Earnings  Wal ..read more

Dan Wasiolek, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar Research Services, discusses the exciting opportunity to invest in gambling stocks. Larry Swedroe, author and Morningstar contributor, explains why chasing market performance and factoring in political beliefs into investing decisions can cost investors. Meta’s First Dividend Boeing on Pause for Quality Control Novo Nordisk’s Strong Sales in Q4 The Gaming Industry and Online Gambling   Flutter on the NYSE FanDuel vs. DraftKings Online Sports Betting Gambling Stocks 3 Investing Lessons Investors Can Start Practicing Today Don ..read more

Sarah Hansen, Morningstar Inc markets reporter, talks about different scenarios that could provide a boost to value investing in 2024. Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America for Morningstar Research Services, explains why spot bitcoin ETFs are the best option on the fund market for bitcoin investors. 00:45 BlackRock’s Earnings Surpassed Morningstar’s Expectations 01:48 Coinbase Benefits from Higher Trading Revenue 02:58 Should You Invest in Spot Bitcoin ETFs? 03:36 Spot Bitcoin ETF vs Bitcoin Futures ETF 05:05 Bitcoin Risks to Investors 06:15 What Investors Sho ..read more