Simple, but Not Easy

Morningstar’s 2026 Investment Outlook is live, offering clear context on the forces that will shape the year ahead and beyond. If there’s one takeaway for investors, it’s this: Preparation beats prediction. Markets will...

It used to be simple: small companies went public, grew, and investors participated along the way. Today, companies stay private longer, and private markets have claimed many opportunities that once lived in public...

In this episode of Simple But Not Easy, we’re joined by Ryan Murphy, Morningstar’s Global Head of Behavioral Insights, to explore how financial advisors can help clients set better goals, avoid costly mistakes, and...

In our midyear outlook, we break down some of the biggest factors driving markets in 2025 — tariffs, AI, and the potential for rate cuts — and attempt to help investors sift through the short-term noise while keeping a...

As of late May, the US ranks 39th out of 44 global stock markets—firmly in the bottom 15%. Meanwhile, international markets are gaining momentum, with 7 of the top 10 performing countries located in Europe. This...

When markets hit a rough patch—as they did in early April—investors often lose confidence. Emotions run high after paper losses, and that’s when many fall into the “ready, fire, aim” trap. Decisions become reactive, not...

We explore the growing convergence between public and private markets and what it means for today’s investors. As private market strategies become more accessible, advisors and their clients are gaining new tools to...

Time is a financial advisor’s most valuable asset. As industry tailwinds push the profession toward greater client-centricity—and as clients demand more from their advisors—many are recognizing the benefits of...

Morningstar Wealth's Chief Investment Officer, Philip Straehl, and Head of Investments, Ricky Williamson share insights on the key themes shaping the investment landscape for 2025 and beyond. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

While presidential elections often create tension and leave many feeling on edge, the stock market didn’t share this level of apprehension. Remarkably, October was one of the least volatile months in history leading up...

Some have called this the weirdest housing market in recent history due to the unusual mix of high interest rates and declining affordability. And yet, we still have record high home prices across the 20 largest housing...

Welcome back to Simple But Not Easy. We hope you had an enjoyable summer and are ready to finish the year on a high note. In today's episode, we're excited to dive deep into the world of investing, market strategies...

A special live episode from the Morningstar Investment Conference. Two of Morningstar Wealth’s investment leaders—Matt Wacher and Ricky Williamson—joined the show to help us dig into what’s already happened this year...

The evolution of financial advice in a few decades time has been nothing short of revolutionary. The industry's transformation has been driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes and evolving investor...

Much of the discussion around financial advice tends to be around asset allocation, product selection, and fund structures. These are all worthy conversations and topics we’ve enjoyed discussing previously on this show...