Morningstar, Inc. - October 9, 2025
Stock Buybacks Are Booming in 2025. That’s Bad News for Dividend Investors
Plus, questions to ask before investing in semiliquid funds,...
Morning DigestOctober 9, 2025 Dan Lefkovitz Unpacking the pros and cons of stock buybacks. Editor's Picks Products such as interval and tender offer funds offer investors exposure to illiquid securities. Here’s what to ask before buying one. Jason Kephart, Susan Dziubinski A look at five key factors that could shape whether the dollar’s big 2025 decline will continue. Muhammad Hamza Saleem The AI boom has swept up utilities, but investors should be wary of overly optimistic forecasts. Sarah Hansen Get to know the differences between them and find out which one is right for you. Margaret Giles, Michael Schramm Investing Insights Consistent funds offering reliable exposure are helpful building blocks for investors’ portfolios. Russel Kinnel Here’s the updated list of Morningstar’s top analyst picks to buy during 2025’s fourth quarter. Susan Dziubinski These companies are expected to benefit from disruptive technologies. Margaret Giles Sectors New Stock Analyst Reports Equifax (FICO) on Oct. 7 that it would price VantageScore at $4.50 per mortgage score for two years and offer free VantageScore to Fair Isaac customers across financial services through 2026. The move is in response to Fair Isaac announcing a direct license model at $10 per score on Oct. 1. Until now, the credit bureaus haven’t said much about how VantageScore would be priced. The offering of free credit scores and income verification data demonstrates how Equifax is going on the offensive after Fair Isaac's recent moves. However, a tri-merge credit report requires scores from all three bureaus, and we haven’t heard details from TransUnion and Experian. We expect more details on their upcoming earnings calls. New Fund Analyst Reports Vanguard Health Care (VGHCX) retains a personnel edge over the competition after a measured and well-executed transition, while its well-established and attractive approach remains intact. The strategy maintains its People and Process Pillar ratings of Above Average. The Tools You Need to Invest Like an Analyst |






