Morningstar, Inc. - MORN STOCK NEWS

Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN) is set to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 financial results on February 23, 2023, after market close. While the company does not conduct analyst conference calls, it encourages investors to submit written questions. Morningstar is a prominent provider of independent investment research across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, offering a comprehensive range of services to various investors. As of September 30, 2022, the firm managed approximately $239 billion in assets. For further details, visit Morningstar's website.

Morningstar has launched the Annuity Intelligence Center, an innovative platform integrated within its Advisor Workstation, aimed at simplifying the annuity transaction process for financial advisors. Powered by Luma Financial Technologies, this tool enhances transparency in the growing annuity market, offering features such as product comparisons and lifecycle management. It is designed to equip advisors with a comprehensive understanding of annuities, facilitating informed client decisions and improving workflow efficiency.

Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) has launched its new Research Portal, an investment research platform designed specifically for financial advisors. This platform integrates independent ratings and real-time market data, enabling advisors to provide personalized investment advice. With access to over 140,000 stocks, 320,000 mutual funds, and 24,000 ETFs, it enhances the investment decision-making process. The toolset includes customizable features like Watchlists and Model Portfolios, aligning with the growing demand for personalized client interactions.

The board of directors of Morningstar declared a quarterly dividend of 37.5 cents per share, marking a 4.2% increase. This dividend is payable on Jan. 31, 2023, to shareholders on record as of Jan. 6, 2023. The annualized dividend now stands at $1.50 per share. Additionally, the company has authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program, effective Jan. 1, 2023, enhancing shareholder value and reflecting confidence in its financial health.

Morningstar has launched the Morningstar® PitchBook Global Unicorn Indexes™, the first daily benchmarks for unicorn companies, which are privately held firms valued at $1 billion or more. This series includes 11 indexes and leverages PitchBook’s extensive VC data and analytics alongside Morningstar’s indexing practices. The indexes aim to enhance investor access to late-stage venture capital markets. This initiative responds to the growing trend of unicorns, facilitating insights into a previously opaque asset class.

Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) announced its Analyst Ratings for 54 of the largest 529 college-savings plans, which comprise around 93% of the $386 billion in plan assets. The ratings include two Gold, 12 Silver, 20 Bronze, 16 Neutral, and four Negative designations. Six plans were upgraded, while two received downgrades. Despite improvements in the industry, some plans are criticized for high-risk structures and poor glidepath strategies. For details, visit Morningstar.com.

Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) launched Direct Indexing, an investment offering aimed at providing customized portfolios for advisors and their clients. This initiative utilizes Morningstar's extensive research and technology for enhanced personalization and tax efficiency. With 61% of advisors either using or considering direct indexing, the market is projected to grow by 12.4% annually through 2026, outpacing the 11.3% growth of ETFs. The offering will initially be accessible via the Morningstar Wealth Platform.

Morningstar reported a 9.2% revenue growth to $468.2 million in Q3 2022, primarily from license-based products, which surged 19.4%. However, operating income fell 67.6% to $22.0 million, while diluted EPS decreased to ($0.21). The company faced challenges in asset- and transaction-based product areas due to market declines and rising interest rates. Significant operational shifts in China incurred costs of $30.1 million. Despite obstacles, key products like PitchBook and Sustainalytics showed robust growth, indicating potential long-term resilience.

Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN) released its inaugural Global Investor Portfolio Study, analyzing portfolio construction across 14 global markets. The study reveals significant divergence in investor behavior based on local factors like market practices, investment product availability, and regulatory environments. Key findings show that early investors are more risk-tolerant, while conservative portfolios dominate in markets with defined-benefit schemes. The report highlights the prevalence of home-market bias and varying levels of interest in sustainable investing and cryptocurrencies.