Investing Insights (Video)

A successful portfolio might include components of both indexing and active fund management, says Morningstar's Christine Benz.

When searching for a planner, first determine your own needs, then seek answers on specific credentials, fiduciary matters, and compensation.

Understanding the role of short- and long-term investments, controlling what you can, and adopting a contrarian mindset can help investors mentally weather, and even profit from, a market downturn.

Despite risks in the muni-bond market, defaults are isolated, and the diversification in muni CEF portfolios helps protect against credit problems.

Leading indicators suggest continued, though sluggish, growth for the U.S. economy in the months ahead, says Morningstar's Bob Johnson.

The Research Affiliates chairman discusses why he see value in developing-markets bonds as well as the urgency for investors to build a 'third pillar' in their portfolios.

With U.S. stocks facing anemic growth in the years ahead, investors banking on 10% returns from equities should rethink their assumptions, says Research Affiliates' Rob Arnott.

Tax effects, maneuvers by your active fund managers, and the global sales of multinational companies can impact your actual portfolio exposures.

Google and Berkshire made room for new strategies, while others got some room to maneuver this week, reports Morningstar markets editor Jeremy Glaser.

Looking past the month-to-month volatility in retail sales reveals a trend of slow, tapering growth, with some hope for improvement in the months ahead.

Beyond their ability to stomach short-term volatility, investors should define their risk tolerance in terms of their actual risk capacity and the probability of hitting their retirement goals, says Morningstar's Christine Benz.

Morningstar's Grady Burkett highlights the new dynamics in an increasingly mobile-driven sector, the effect of Europe woes on key players, the hallmarks of durability among social media names, and more.

Policymakers will likely keep tax rates low, but even if current rates expire, dividend payers would still offer a superior source of income, says Morningstar's Josh Peters.

While liquidity may provide temporary relief, only debt reduction--and a creditor haircut--will put Europe back on the road to growth, says TCW's Komal Sri-Kumar.

Morningstar markets editor Jeremy Glaser reports on the rivalries between Apple and Samsung, coupons and everyday low pricing, and more.