Investing Insights

The 60/40 portfolio has proven it’s here to stay, but it can benefit from a refresh like other classics. The total portfolio approach refines the 60/40. It takes a closer look at the components of the plain-vanilla portfolio and considers how risky they are. The goal is to help investors stay disciplined as market conditions change for the better or worse. Jason Kephart has written about the total portfolio approach. He’s a senior principal of multi-asset  manager research for Morningstar.

How a Total Portfolio Approach Can Improve the 60/40 Portfolio 

Morningstar’s Tax-Planning and IRA Resources for 2026

On this episode:

 00:00:00 Welcome

00:01:20 Total Portfolio Approach vs 60/40 Portfolio

00:01:52 How Growth and Stability Work

00:03:30 Why High-Yield Bonds Wouldn’t Go into Stability

00:04:30 Stocks That Might Be Better Suited for Stability than Growth

00:06:52 Challenges of the Total Portfolio Approach

00:08:49 How Investors Can Use This Strategy

Watch more from Morningstar:

Why REIT ETFs Still Work as Real Estate Slumps

How to Make the Most of Your IRA in 2026

3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally

 

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The struggle of brick-and-mortar real estate has extended into investment portfolios. Elevated inflation and high interest rates have weighed on the real estate sector over the past few years. Real estate investment trusts or REIT ETFs have not been spared. Yet these exchange-traded funds are popular among income investors. They generate cash and can help diversify a portfolio. So, where do they fit in yours? And which REIT ETFs do Morningstar analysts consider top picks? Dan Sotiroff is the associate director of US Passive Strategies for Morningstar. Dan is also the editor of Morningstar’s ETFInvestor newsletter.
Subscribe to Morningstar’s ETFInvestor newsletter. https://newsletters.morningstar.com/
On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:26 Basics of REIT ETFs 
00:04:34 Active vs. Passive REIT ETFs
00:06:03 REIT ETFs’ Performance vs US Stock Market
00:09:20 Cutting the Tax Bill on REIT ETF income  
00:10:06 Top REIT ETFs From Vanguard & Schwab
00:13:48 Key Takeaways for Income Investors
 
Watch more from Morningstar:
How to Make the Most of Your IRA in 2026
3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally
How New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their Savings
 
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Thanks to its tax benefits, your IRA can be a powerful tool to optimize your portfolio. Investment firms often see a big influx of new contributions into individual retirement accounts in the early part of each year as investors rush to meet the April 15 deadline. If you’re one of the many investors adding new funds to your IRA, Morningstar’s director of personal finance and retirement planning Christine Benz has some ideas on how to make the most of those contributions and improve your portfolio in the process.
How to Get the Most Out of Your IRA Contributions
On this episode:
 
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:16 2026 IRA Contribution Limits
00:01:45 How to Decide Between a Traditional and Roth IRA
00:03:52 Stock Investing Mistakes to Avoid With Your IRA
00:05:20 How to Invest Your IRA When You're Early in Your Career
00:08:13 How to Assess Your IRA in the Middle of Your Earning Years
00:10:23 The Advantages of Non-US Stocks and How to Diversify Your IRA
00:14:30 How to Derisk Your Portfolio as You Approach Retirement
00:16:47 Rebalancing Your IRA Without Tax Consequences
00:17:48 Is it ever too late to Contribute to Your IRA?
 
Watch more from Morningstar:
3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds’ Big Rally
How New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their Savings
Beyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing?
 
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Editor's note: An earlier version of this episode published with the wrong episode name and description. Both have been updated.
 

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merging-market funds will have a tough act to follow in 2026. The category racked up big gains last year following small returns for years. And a mix of factors like trade tensions prompted many investors to shift their dollars outside the US. Should you add emerging-market funds to your portfolio? And which ones were winners or losers? Morningstar’s senior principal of ratings Russ Kinnel dug into the data. The editor of the FundInvestor newsletter is here to tell you want he found.
Subscribe to Morningstar’s FundInvestor newsletter.
On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:20 Why Emerging‑Market Funds Surged After Years of Sluggish Returns
00:02:29 Market Shifts of Leadership in Asia
00:03:36 2025’s Winning Emerging-Market Funds
00:05:08 2025’s Losing Emerging-Market Funds
00:09:34 What’s Next for Emerging‑Market Funds in 2026?
00:10:21 How Fidelity Contrafund’s Will Danoff Built a Successful Stock-Picking Record
00:13:38 What Everyday Investors Can Learn from Danoff
 
Watch more from Morningstar:
How New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their Savings
Beyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing?
How to Generate Steady Income in 2026
 
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If you’re newly retired or will join the ranks soon, it’s time to think about how you plan to spend your nest egg. Morningstar researchers are helping new retirees figure out where to begin. The recently published State of Retirement Income report concluded that the starting safe withdrawal rate for people beginning their retirement in 2026 is 3.9%. That number might appear low. However, the team has analyzed several strategies to lift it to almost 6%. Morningstar portfolio strategist Amy Arnott has investigated the data and joined the podcast to explain flexible withdrawal strategies.
How Much Can You Spend in Retirement? Here’s Your Starting Safe Withdrawal Rate for 2026  https://apple.news/ALEEtAf1FTAm7WUFGvYvXVQ
On this episode:
00:00:00 Welcome
00:01:26 Understanding the 3.9% Safe Withdrawal Rate
00:02:33 How Flexible Strategies Lift Withdrawal Rates Up to 5.7%
00:03:48 Flexible Approaches for Retirees Seeking Predictable Paycheck-like Income
00:05:40 Inside the Vanguard Dynamic Spending Method
00:07:15 Highest Lifetime Spending & Highest Starting Safe Withdrawal Rate
00:09:20 Leaving a Legacy and Strengthening Your Portfolio
00:14:30 4 Financial To-Dos to Kick Off the New Year
 
Watch more from Morningstar:
Beyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing?
How to Generate Steady Income in 2026
All in on Magnificent 7? Where You Should Invest Next
 
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