The Long View

Hi, and welcome to The Long View. I’m Dan Lefkovitz, strategist for Morningstar Indexes. In this episode, we’ll share some of our favorite clips from 2024 interviews with portfolio managers, economists, and investment thinkers. It’s the companion to Christine Benz’s “Best of Episode” featuring highlights from conversations with financial planners, advisors, and retirement researchers.“Joel Fried and Al Mordecai: Upholding the Culture at Primecap Management,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Jan. 30, 2024.“JB Taylor: Small Caps Haven’t Been This Cheap in 25 Years,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, March 5, 2024.“Jody Jonsson: The Case for a Global Portfolio,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Jan. 23, 2024.“Bryan Armour: Is Index Investing’s Superpower Unstoppable?” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, March 19, 2024.“Sonali Pier: Don’t Rent Yield,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Feb. 27, 2024.“Neil Shearing: What the Consensus Is Missing About the Current Economy,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, April 16, 2024.“Omar Aguilar and Sébastien Page: Market Outlook for 2024 and Beyond,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Aug. 27, 2024.“Carl Tannenbaum: Settling Into ‘Soft-Landing Territory,’” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, July 30, 2024.“David Herro and Rajiv Jain: Should US Investors Renew Their Passports?” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, July 9, 2024.“Carl Vine: The Japan Earnings Story Has Legs,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, April 30, 2024.“Justin Leverenz: Emerging Markets Are ‘Incredibly Attractive,’” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Feb. 6, 2024.“Ankur Crawford: ‘When Software Begins to Write Software, Innovation Is Exponential,’” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Sept. 24, 2024.“Jeremy Grantham: The Bigger the New Idea, the More the Market Becomes Overpriced,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Oct. 8, 2024.“Dan Ivascyn: The Outlook for Bonds Amid a Covid ‘Aftershock Global Economy,’” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, May 21, 2024. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Daniel Crosby, the Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions and author of "The Soul of Wealth," dives deep into the intricate dance between money and happiness. He explores how financial success doesn't guarantee emotional well-being and dissects the psychological impacts of social comparisons intensified by social media. Crosby also shares insights on cultivating healthy financial habits and emphasizes that true wealth is found in meaningful experiences, urging listeners to prioritize gratitude.

In this chat, Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist and co-founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, dives into the deep connections between money and mental health. He discusses how consumerism shapes self-worth, particularly among youth. Klontz reveals the impact of social media on our perceptions of wealth and the resulting feelings of inadequacy. He also introduces 'money scripts'—the hidden beliefs that influence our financial habits. The conversation emphasizes the need for emotional engagement with money to foster better financial wellness.

This week’s guests are Tom Idzorek, Chief Investment Officer of Retirement at Morningstar, and Paul Kaplan, former Director of Research for Morningstar Canada. They delve into their new book on lifetime financial advice. Topics include personalized financial strategies that integrate human capital, the importance of flexible planning through life changes, and maximizing tax efficiency in investing. They also discuss the role of insurance in managing financial risks throughout life, offering listeners insightful guidance for effective financial planning.

In this insightful discussion, Ed Slott, a CPA and retirement expert, shares valuable tax planning strategies ahead of 2025. He explains the intricacies of tax-loss harvesting and the importance of cost basis accounting. Ed dives into Required Minimum Distributions, highlighting common pitfalls and effective strategies, including Roth conversions. He also explores innovative charitable giving techniques for maximizing tax benefits and navigates the implications of the SALT cap for high-tax states. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to optimize their financial future!

Mark Berg, founder and lead advisor at Timothy Financial Counsel, shares insights on helping children navigate financial challenges. He emphasizes the importance of teaching financial responsibility without fostering entitlement. Mark discusses strategies like allowance systems and the value of family experiences as investments. He also addresses the delicate balance of supporting major life events while maintaining financial prudence. Listeners will learn how to manage gifts and ensure a meaningful inheritance, promoting independence in their children.

Jim Murphy, a high-yield muni strategies expert at T. Rowe Price, and Charlie Hill, who manages several short and intermediate-term municipal funds, discuss the current landscape of municipal bonds. They dive into recent market turbulence and highlight how a 50 basis point rate cut could create new investment opportunities. The duo analyzes credit spreads, emphasizing the resilience of not-for-profit hospitals post-COVID, and explore the potential of high-yield municipal bonds in diversifying portfolios while maintaining low default risks.

In this conversation, Charlie Dreifus, a seasoned portfolio manager known for his expertise in small-cap value strategies, shares insights from his impressive investment career. He discusses how his family's refugee background instilled a cautious investment mentality. Dreifus explains his valuation strategies focusing on market inefficiencies and contrasts mutual funds and ETFs, highlighting their unique advantages. He emphasizes the importance of passion in both investing and personal life, illustrating how it fuels success and fulfillment.

In this discussion, Anne Tergesen, a seasoned reporter from The Wall Street Journal, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of retirement. She explores trends like automatic enrollment in 401(k)s and the challenge of fund leakage. Anne compares the U.S. retirement system to models from the UK and Australia, suggesting reforms to enhance accessibility. She dives into personal narratives from retirees, revealing the emotional journeys they undergo and highlighting the balance of work, relationships, and creative pursuits in finding fulfillment during retirement.

Phil Moeller, the primary author behind the popular 'Get What’s Yours' guidebook series, shares his extensive expertise on Medicare and Social Security. He discusses the complexities of navigating Medicare financing and the recent changes in drug costs, emphasizing the importance of understanding both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Moeller highlights valuable resources for consumers, such as the Medicare plan finder and the Kaiser Family Foundation. His insights equip listeners with crucial knowledge to maximize their healthcare benefits.