Consider getting your IRA in shape this summer instead of waiting for the calendar to flip to next year. A midyear checkup could help you optimize your retirement account to benefit from its tax advantages sooner than later. Morningstar's FundInvestor newsletter has highlighted investment ideas for folks who want to keep it simple, maximize tax advantages, or strive for capital appreciation. Morningstar's senior principal of ratings Russ Kinnel shares his favorite fund ideas for an IRA.

IRA Favorites for Your Retirement Saving Plan

On this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome

00:01:16 IRA basics and how Russ Kinnel invests in his IR

00:01:58 One-stop fund favorites for keeping it simple

00:03:45 Funds for maximizing tax advantages

00:06:38 Ideas to take the most advantage of tax-free compounding by focusing on capital appreciation

00:08:44 Could the funds also work in a Roth IRA?

Watch more from Morningstar:

What Investors Should Watch for in the Second Half of 2026

Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth

Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete?

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Market volatility tends to challenge investors' willpower to stick to their plan. That's understandable because it tends to be easier to say you will focus on the long-term until uncertainty emerges. Geopolitics and artificial intelligence stirred up their share of highs and lows in 2026. What lessons can you learn from past market-moving events to stay invested? And where are the opportunities in the second half of the year?

Dominic Pappalardo is the chief multi-asset strategist for Morningstar Wealth. It's part of registered investment advisor, Morningstar Investment Management.

What’s Ahead in 2027 and Beyond for Inflation, Fed Rate Cuts, and More

On this episode:

00:00:31 Welcome

00:01:18 Stock market's first six months of 2026

00:01:41 Events driving this year's market highs and lows

00:06:02 Staying invested during drawdowns and volatility

00:10:04 Morningstar's mid-year market outlook

00:12:19 Fixed-income and equity sector opportunities

00:14:55 Investor takeaways for the second half of 2026

Watch more from Morningstar:

Dividend Investing: How to Find the Right Balance Between Income and Growth

https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/dividend-investing-how-find-right-balance-between-income-growth-2

Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete?

https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/are-mutual-funds-becoming-obsolete-2

Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs

https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/brace-your-portfolio-mega-ipos-2

Follow Morningstar on social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/

X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/

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There's just something about dividends. The popular investing strategy attracts retirees and other investors who need regular cash payouts, as well as those who like the tangible return dividends represent, even if they are reinvesting those distributions back into their portfolio. But what are the tradeoffs, and are they worth it? It depends on who you ask.

From the pages of the Q2 2026 issue of Morningstar Magazine, several specialists argue against chasing higher yield. Instead, they encourage investors to balance dividends and total return. Jerry Kerns, who's the editor in chief, joins Investing Insights to discuss the magazine’s spotlight.

Featured Article: Subscribe to Morningstar Magazine

On this episode: 

00:00:00 Welcome

00:01:35 What dividend investing is and its appeal

00:03:55 Yield chasing trade-offs and dividend cut signals

00:07:47 Why consider buyback yield alongside dividend yield

00:09:44 Dividend stocks Morningstar analysts find attractive

00:10:45 Gold-rated funds and insights into the strategies

00:12:00 How income investors can strike the right balance

Watch more from Morningstar: 

Are Mutual Funds Becoming Obsolete? 

https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/are-mutual-funds-becoming-obsolete-2

Brace Your Portfolio for Mega-IPOs

https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/brace-your-portfolio-mega-ipos-2

The Portfolio That Has Been Beating the Classic 60/40, and Why It Matters for You https://www.morningstar.com/podcasts/investing-insights/portfolio-that-has-been-beating-classic-6040-why-it-matters-you-2

Follow Morningstar on social: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ 

X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.