Fund Spy

The behemoth's merits are substantial.

It’s most likely to appear in more-aggressive strategies, so mind your manager’s approach.

As 2020 screeched to a close, financials stocks were popular.

We reveal how the ultra-popular fund's underlying holdings stack up on 11 measures of equity-related risk.

American Funds has blazed its own trail to chart-topping results. But can it change course if the tide shifts?

One of my favorite Vanguard fund managers fell well behind in 2020.

Stock fund managers mull the value of post-pandemic travel.

This is a stalwart target-date series.

This target-date series offers the best of both worlds.

This target-date series enjoys durable advantages.

A thoughtful approach at a low cost makes this a strong choice for target-date investors. 

This remains a first-class target-date series.

We reveal how the fund’s underlying holdings stack up on 11 measures of equity-related risk.

Recent Morningstar Style Box enhancements cause some fund migration.

After an out-of-favor 2020, the large-cap, bank-loan, nontraditional bond, and world-allocation Morningstar Categories may be due for a rebound.

An epic rally in the underdogs of Wall Street illustrates the challenges of short-selling.

The well-resourced team at T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value takes a sensible approach to investing in small companies.

Foreign small-value stocks are generally cheaper with less debt.

Valuations and the effect of loose monetary policy on asset prices and capital allocation are top of mind for some equity managers.

From ETFs to CITs, investors have an array of choices. How do they stack up with mutual funds?

A look at how different firms price the same bonds, including corporate bonds, Treasury bonds, and more.

What history shows us.

Funds that doubled usually lost money in the ensuing years, a worrisome portent for the funds that gained 100% or more in 2020.

These funds look attractive to us today.

Overall, target-date fund annual flows turn negative for the first time.

Strong fund managers and processes drive these additions to the Morningstar Prospects list.

Working at home has gone well, but it's not ideal.

Investors looked past the pandemic’s near-term impact.

U.S equity markets rebound off first-quarter lows.

Morningstar analysts rated 777 share classes and vehicles and 221 unique strategies in December 2020.

Few have big stakes in three telecom firms targeted for delisting, but more widely owned stocks are in U.S. government crosshairs.

Baron Discovery represents a new chapter in a good story.

Funds courting less ESG risk topped their indexes more often than funds courting more ESG risk in a topsy-turvy 2020.

Bond markets overcome a turbulent year.

It had a spectacular year, but Miller Opportunity is too volatile for what it delivers.

It's too soon to tell whether small-value's November resurgence will endure.

A closer look at some recent initiatives.

BlackRock Total Return makes the most of the firm's deep resources.

Morningstar's analysis of global disclosure structures highlights the importance of transparency around investments and incremental improvements.

An experienced team and disciplined process add to Causeway International Value's appeal.

Intermediate core-bond investors should be cautious in this environment.

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation's David Giroux has done a masterful job.

Learning from past misfortunes can help investors avoid future tax woes.

Don’t let the solution for more income be worse than the problem.

The team at Loomis Sayles Core Plus Bond has largely put its flexible mandate to good use.

Across the board, Morningstar Medalists got defensive in the third quarter.

Some managers went the extra distance and committed more than $1 million to their niche funds.

ESG Commitment Levels help investors find the right strategies and asset managers.

This niche corner of the bond market may be worth a look.

Despite recent hiccups, Boston Partners Small Cap Value II's deliberate approach should reward investors over a full market cycle.