Investment guides


personal-finance
How to build a travel fund
This week's episode looks at how to achieve one of the most common investor goals - a travel fund.
How to build a travel fund
How to build a travel fund
personal-finance
Replacing hybrids in your portfolio

Replacing hybrids in your portfolio

This week's episode of Investing Compass looks at the phasing out of hybrids, and alternatives that investors can consider for their portfolio.
personal-finance
Handling caring responsibilities on both ends

Handling caring responsibilities on both ends

This week's episode of Investing Compass looks at the 'Sandwich Generation' - those that are caring for children and parents, and how they can financially prepare. 
personal-finance
Chances are your estate will be contested. Here's how to protect it.

Chances are your estate will be contested. Here's how to protect it.

This week’s episode of Investing Compass goes through some expert advice on how to make your will as airtight as possible.
personal-finance
All in one ETF: VDHG deep dive

All in one ETF: VDHG deep dive

This week’s episode of Investing Compass goes through the pros and cons of an all in one ETF and the potential tax implications.
personal-finance
The lessons from Dollarmites

The lessons from Dollarmites

This week’s Investing Compass episode goes through why winning as investors often means losing as consumers.
personal-finance
Aussie stocks to hold forever

Aussie stocks to hold forever

This week's Investing Compass episode interviews James Gruber on his list of Aussie stocks to hold forever.
personal-finance
How to interpret stock picks in the media

How to interpret stock picks in the media

This week's Investing Compass episode goes through how to interpret stock picks from fund managers in the media.
personal-finance
Dollar Cost Averaging vs Lump Sum Investing

Dollar Cost Averaging vs Lump Sum Investing

This week's Investing Compass episode goes through the two strategies and the circumstances for which they suit, based on Morningstar and Vanguard research.
personal-finance
Market update: What should investors do?

Market update: What should investors do?

This week’s Investing Compass episode looks at what the asset class is, why it has grown in popularity and whether investors should take on private credit in their portfolios. 
personal-finance
How to conduct a common sense check on a stock

How to conduct a common sense check on a stock

This week’s Investing Compass episode uses the GyG IPO as an example on how investors can conduct a back of the envelope common sense check on a stock's valuation or current price.
personal-finance
Pro Medicus had a 63% annualised return over the last decade. What lessons can we take from this top performer?

Pro Medicus had a 63% annualised return over the last decade. What lessons can we take from this top performer?

This week’s Investing Compass episode goes through what we can learn from top performing stocks. 
personal-finance
A look at whether timing the market can work

A look at whether timing the market can work

This week’s Investing Compass episode looks at the hard data behind whether timing the market can work
personal-finance
Boosting income with a covered call strategy

Boosting income with a covered call strategy

Investors are using this strategy to increase their income. This week's episode looks at the mechanics of a covered call and the investors it may suit.
personal-finance
Five Charlie Munger quotes to make you a better investor

Five Charlie Munger quotes to make you a better investor

This week’s Investing Compass episode goes through the wisdom of Charlie Munger
personal-finance
Three steps to retire early

Three steps to retire early

This week’s Investing Compass episode goes through the three factors to consider when retiring early
personal-finance
Why Aussies are better investors

Why Aussies are better investors

Our latest Investing Compass episode looks at the factors behind why Australians have been successful investors
personal-finance
Three most popular ETFs in Australia

Three most popular ETFs in Australia

We look at the three ETFs you are most likely to invest in and what our analysts think about them.
personal-finance
How to make $100k in passive income

How to make $100k in passive income

We go through what's needed to get to $100k in passive income.
personal-finance
How investors should think about business risk

How investors should think about business risk

Are you taking on too much risk in your portfolio?
personal-finance
A realistic retirement plan

A realistic retirement plan

Men and women experience different health outcomes which need to be taken into account during retirement planning.
personal-finance
Not all income is built equal

Not all income is built equal

The argument for why investing is supported by the tax code.
personal-finance
Why Shani bought a house

Why Shani bought a house

Many long-time Investing Compass listeners have asked why Shani changed her mind about buying a house. Shani speaks about her decision.
personal-finance
What to look for (and what to avoid) when picking ETFs

What to look for (and what to avoid) when picking ETFs

Our guest Steven Le, a manager research analyst at Morningstar, goes through what to look for and what to avoid with ETFs, and how investors can apply the Morningstar process themselves for choosing investment products.  
personal-finance
Mark's top 10 holdings

Mark's top 10 holdings

We run through Mark's top ten holdings, how they fit into his investment strategy and when to sell shares.
personal-finance
Beat the market by changing how you invest

Beat the market by changing how you invest

We talk about how to have an advantage when investing.
personal-finance
How to build wealth with income investing

How to build wealth with income investing

And why the arguments against income investing don't stack up.
personal-finance
Christmas gifts for investors 2023

Christmas gifts for investors 2023

Our yearly episode of Christmas gift ideas for investors.
personal-finance
Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Our guest Dan Kemp who runs Morningstar's global investment management team shares thoughts on current opportunities.
personal-finance
Are bonds back?

Are bonds back?

At our recent conference, many investment professionals touted the attractiveness of bonds. Are they back and should you invest?
personal-finance
Market update going into 2024

Market update going into 2024

We talk about the current market environment, and how investors should position themselves going into 2024.
personal-finance
LICs vs ETFs

LICs vs ETFs

In a listener requested episode, we look at LICs vs ETFs, and why an investor may choose one over the other.
personal-finance
The case for China

The case for China

We recently spoke about where Morningstar saw undervalued assets in our 'Lessons from Japan' episode. One of these markets is China. In this episode, we go through how a downturn could impact other economies, China viewed as an investment opportunity, and how to get exposure.
personal-finance
Share deep dive: Woodside

Share deep dive: Woodside

In a listener requested episode, we take a deep dive into Woodside (ASX: WDS).
personal-finance
What is happening with Qantas?

What is happening with Qantas?

Shani and Mark sit down with Morningstar Equity Analyst Angus Hewitt to speak about Qantas, A2 Milk and other stocks in his coverage. He lets us know the best opportunity in his coverage and the outlooks for the sectors.
personal-finance
Can you retire on dividends?

Can you retire on dividends?

In a listener requested episode, we explore whether investors can rely solely on dividends to fund their retirement.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: What can we learn from Japan

Investing Compass: What can we learn from Japan

There has been a lot of investor excitement around Japan. It is the tip of a decades-long story.
stocks
Investing Compass: What return are you actually getting from shares?

Investing Compass: What return are you actually getting from shares?

We break down each of the components of a total return to understand what you get at the end of your investment. 
stocks
Investing Compass: A debt time bomb

Investing Compass: A debt time bomb

We discuss global debt and why investors should pay attention
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Market outlook: 3 steps to financial independence

Investing Compass: Market outlook: 3 steps to financial independence

Everyone’s definition of financial independence is different. We explore how to achieve the foundations of financial independence in three steps.
markets
Investing Compass: Market outlook: Are investors too optimistic?

Investing Compass: Market outlook: Are investors too optimistic?

Our market outlook looks at the current state of the market and themes investors should be aware of.
stocks
Investing Compass: What we think about the largest company in the world

Investing Compass: What we think about the largest company in the world

We take a deep dive into the international stock you are most likely to own - Apple.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: The best lessons from 150 episodes

Investing Compass: The best lessons from 150 episodes

It's our 150th episode! We go through the best lessons from the last 150 episodes.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Personal investing lessons from a CIO

Investing Compass: Personal investing lessons from a CIO

Marta Norton, CFA is Morningstar Investment Managements CIO, Americas. She shares her journey and the lessons that she takes from her professional investing career to her personal.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Structuring your portfolio for income

Investing Compass: Structuring your portfolio for income

Mark speaks about how he has structured his portfolio for income.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Interest rate and inflation proof investment

Investing Compass: Interest rate and inflation proof investment

In this episode, we explore annuities.
stocks
Investing Compass: Brian Han's Outlook

Investing Compass: Brian Han's Outlook

Brian Han, is a Director of Equity Research at Morningstar Australia, as well as a comedian. In this episode, we see if he can take on a third job as a psychic. We keep him accountable to predictions that he made about the 2023 environment back in 2022. Brian explores key themes with M&A, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency.
stocks
Investing Compass: Share deep dive: Charter Hall Long WALE REIT

Investing Compass: Share deep dive: Charter Hall Long WALE REIT

In a listener requested episode, we do a share deep dive on Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).
personal-finance
Investing Compass: When to rebalance

Investing Compass: When to rebalance

In a listener requested episode, we look at when investors should rebalance.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Paying down your mortgage vs investing

Investing Compass: Paying down your mortgage vs investing

The age old question. This episode goes through the main considerations between paying down your mortgage and investing.
etfs
Investing Compass: Does the exchange an ETF trades on matter?

Investing Compass: Does the exchange an ETF trades on matter?

Thinking of purchasing an ETF listed in the US, the UK, or any country other than Australia? Listen to this episode first.
retirement
Investing Compass: Retirement in inflationary times

Investing Compass: Retirement in inflationary times

In this episode, we discuss the considerations for retirees in high inflation environments, and what they can do to combat it.
markets
Investing Compass: How investors should actually think about ESG

Investing Compass: How investors should actually think about ESG

ESG is often seen as a way to feel good about what you're investing in. We speak to Morningstar Director of Equity Research, ESG - Adam Fleck. He provides his a different perspective on how investors should consider ESG in their portfolio.
etfs
Investing Compass: Our favourite income ETF

Investing Compass: Our favourite income ETF

We explore how we find good ETF investments, what investors should look for, and our best pick for Income ETFs with our guest, Associate Director, Manager Research - Justin Walsh.
funds
Investing Compass: Picking an active manager

Investing Compass: Picking an active manager

New research from Morningstar looks at where active managers fall down, and why they underperform. We go through these characteristics to help investors understand what to avoid when picking an active manager for their portfolio.
markets
Investing Compass: State of the Market

Investing Compass: State of the Market

This episode looks at the state of the market at the end of April 2023, and discusses whether investors should make any changes to their portfolio based on the current market.
retirement
Investing Compass: How super is Super

Investing Compass: How super is Super

Admitting you have a problem is the first step in solving it. We have a problem with two-part episodes. This two-parter is a listener requested episode on Superannuation.   
personal-finance
Investing Compass: What would you do with some extra cash?

Investing Compass: What would you do with some extra cash?

The stage 3 tax cuts will give high income earners a meaningful increase in take home pay. Regardless of whether you fall into this bracket, any increase in cash flow offers investors the opportunity to thoughtfully assess the best way to improve their financial position and quality of life. We provide an overview of the tax cuts, considerations for investors and hear from three members of the Morningstar team on what to do with an increase in cash flow.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: Future expected returns and where to allocate assets

Investing Compass: Future expected returns and where to allocate assets

A key to asset allocation is understanding future expected returns for asset classes. We're joined by Matt Wacher, Chief Investment Officer, Asia Pacific of Morningstar Investment Management. He discusses the process of calculating future expected returns, where he expects there to be opportunities in the future, and how investors should use this information to make asset allocation decisions.
etfs
Investing compass: Creating a portfolio with one trade

Investing compass: Creating a portfolio with one trade

A larger number of investors are seeking simplicity in their portfolio. In this episode, we explore multi-asset funds and whether they can provide investors with a ready-made portfolio solution.
stocks
Investing compass: Lithium

Investing compass: Lithium

Lithium is a hotly followed investing theme, with many investors confident of a promising future. We take a deep dive into Lithium and its outlook.
stocks
Small caps

Small caps

In a listener requested episode, we speak about whether small caps have a place in your portfolio.
etfs
Investing compass: Quality ETFs

Investing compass: Quality ETFs

In a listener requested episode, we explore quality ETFs—MOAT and QUAL.
markets
Investing compass: 2023 state of the market

Investing compass: 2023 state of the market

We look at the state of the market entering 2023.
etfs
Investing compass: High conviction ETFs and what they hold

Investing compass: High conviction ETFs and what they hold

We look at high conviction holdings in ETFs, and what our equity analysts think of them.
personal-finance
Investing compass: Top lessons from investment professionals

Investing compass: Top lessons from investment professionals

We discuss lessons learned from our recent conferences. 
personal-finance
Investing compass: Have we reached market bottom?

Investing compass: Have we reached market bottom?

We look at measures that indicated historical market bottoms and how the market compares now.
stocks
Investing compass: How to maintain margin

Investing compass: How to maintain margin

Inflation can make it challenging for companies to maintain margins in the face of changing customer behaviour and higher input costs. Learn how to identify companies that can overcome these challenges.
stocks
Investing compass: Is it time to buy?

Investing compass: Is it time to buy?

There's a different air to the market. When we look at Morningstar's coverage in Australia and the US, we see markets overall as undervalued. Is now the time to buy?
stocks
Investing compass: How big should your slice of American pie be?

Investing compass: How big should your slice of American pie be?

In a listener requested episode we explore whether valuations should impact asset allocation decisions.
personal-finance
Investing compass: Coveting thy neighbour's wife

Investing compass: Coveting thy neighbour's wife

This episode explores why long-term investors are better off focusing on themselves, and not coveting the circumstances of others.
stocks
Investing compass: How to maintain margin

Investing compass: How to maintain margin

Inflation can make it challenging for companies to maintain margins in the face of changing customer behaviour and higher input costs. Learn how to identify companies that can overcome these challenges.
stocks
Investing compass: Is it time to buy?

Investing compass: Is it time to buy?

There's a different air to the market. When we look at Morningstar's coverage in Australia and the US, we see markets overall as undervalued. Is now the time to buy?
investing
Give the people what they want!

Give the people what they want!

We explore the most common question we get – how to choose a broker. 
stocks
Investing compass: How big should your slice of American pie be?

Investing compass: How big should your slice of American pie be?

In a listener requested episode we explore whether valuations should impact asset allocation decisions 
personal-finance
Investing Compass: The misfits: A holistic look at portfolio construction

Investing Compass: The misfits: A holistic look at portfolio construction

A listener requested episode, we look at where unlisted or non-traditional assets might fit into your asset allocation.
personal-finance
Investing Compass: How to behave like a winner

Investing Compass: How to behave like a winner

Your behaviour impacts your returns more than you think. In this episode, we explore ways that you can increase your odds of better outcomes.