Beyond the Stars

Take a peek behind the curtain at how AI is changing manager research at Morningstar. Tom Whitelaw explains how Morningstar analysts are using AI agents to deepen their analysis of investment strategies and what the future could bring. Download the paper here: The Analyst in the Loop: How AI IsExpanding Manager Research

Mara Dobrescu and Jose Garcia Zarate explain the appeal of fixed term bond funds, why investors don't always get the yield they expect from these products, and how low-cost ETFs might be starting to push this industry in a more investor-friendly direction.
Read the full paper here: European Fixed-Term Bond Funds - Morningstar

Mara Dobrescu and Paul Olmsted take listeners into the world of catastrophe bonds, which pay investors to shoulder the financial risks of earthquakes and hurricanes. Cat bond funds promise attractive yields and diversification. But how feasible is investing in this asset class—and how well do we understand the risks? 

Read the full paper here: Catastrophe Bond Fund Landscape | Morningstar

Michael Born has mapped the global landscape of faith-based funds—covering Christian, Catholic, and Shariah approaches. He stopped by the studio to discuss how doctrinal frameworks shape portfolios, influence costs and performance, and drive investor behavior.
Download the paper here: Faith-Based Investing

Does opting for an ESG strategy over a conventional one mean sacrificing dividend yield? Ronald van Genderen and Henry Ince examined whether equity income funds pay a price for incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment processes. The answer might surprise you!  
Check out the paper here: When Income Meets ESG | Morningstar