Investment Strategy
We seek to pick winning funds with superior management and quantitative characteristics linked to strong performance. Our quantitative research uses the most comprehensive mutual fund database in the world to determine the best strategies for long-term investing success. We then supplement those studies with extensive qualitative research of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders through onsite visits and follow-up phone calls.
 
About the Editor
Russel Kinnel is director of manager research for Morningstar, Inc. and editor of Morningstar FundInvestor, a monthly print newsletter for individual investors. He also writes the Fund Spy column for Morningstar.com, the company's investment Web site.

Since joining the company in 1994, Kinnel has covered the Fidelity, Janus, T. Rowe Price, and Vanguard mutual fund families. He helped develop the new Morningstar Rating for funds and the new Morningstar Style Box methodology. He also is co-author of the company's first book, The Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success, which was published in January 2003.

 
About Russel Russ' Photo
Russel Kinnel,
Director of Manager Research and Editor, Morningstar FundInvestor
Russel Kinnel is director of manager research for Morningstar Research Services LLC and editor of Morningstar FundInvestor, a monthly print newsletter for individual investors.
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Featured Posts
New Issue of FundInvestor Is Available (PDF)

The new issue of FundInvestor is out in PDF form. You can download it here

Here's what's in the issue:

Unhidden Gems: I wanted to see if there is an optimal asset size for stock funds. I grouped funds by asset size and tracked performance and survival over 10 years. The sweet spot wasn't exactly where I expected.

Bold Shift or Style Shift? Gregg Wolper digs into some big moves by manager Rajiv Jain to determine if he's changing his stripes.

Beyond 60/40: Karen Zaya looks at some alternative strategies that offer appealing risk/reward profiles.

High Costs and Low Returns: Stephen Margaria examines these red flags from funds.

Manager Changes: I look at some of the latest changes at American Funds and T. Rowe Price.

A Guide for Retirement Withdrawals: Christine Benz tests various strategies for managing withdrawals during retirement.

Strong Income Funds: Nour Al Twal finds some funds that produce pleasing income without extreme risks.

Convertible Bonds Are Worth a Look: Chiayi Tsui looks at a corner of the bond and stock markets that many people overlook.

Morningstar 500 Changes: I explain a merging of rating systems.

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About the Editor


Russel Kinnel is director of manager research for Morningstar Research Services LLC and editor of Morningstar FundInvestor, a monthly print newsletter for individual investors. He also writes the Fund Spy column for Morningstar.com, the company's investment Web site.

Since joining the company in 1994, Kinnel has covered the Fidelity, Janus, T. Rowe Price, and Vanguard mutual fund families. He helped develop the new Morningstar Rating for funds and the new Morningstar Style Box methodology. He also is co-author of the company's first book, The Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success, which was published in January 2003.

Investment Strategy


We seek to pick winning funds with superior management and quantitative characteristics linked to strong performance. Our quantitative research uses the most comprehensive mutual fund database in the world to determine the best strategies for long-term investing success. We then supplement those studies with extensive qualitative research of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders through onsite visits and follow-up phone calls.



Returns are calculated for each asset class or category based on which funds were rated Gold at the start of each month over a five-year period. For bond funds, only intermediate and intermediate core-plus funds are used. For muni bond funds, only Muni National Long funds are used.