Coronavirus

COVID-19 and your money

This curated list of content will help you find information on what you need to do for you, how to play your investments, and what you can expect from the markets.

What you need to know

3 athleisure stocks fit for the home workout surge

These sportswear stocks are riding the pandemic fitness trend
Income fund outmaneuvered in pandemic

Decisive selling and opportunistic equity positions deliver another top-decile year for Mackenzie's global strategic income manager
COVID-19 will stress Berkshire

But the crisis will also accelerate the company's evolution from a reinvestment machine to one returning more capital to shareholders
HELOC-funded home reno?

Before taking on more debt, consider the size of the loan, your repayment plan, your ability to make payments if interest rate changes, and the penalty for missing a payment
Manager says Canadian small businesses are due for a comeback

This small-to-mid cap growth specialist sees strong local companies ready for a revival
Stars shine bright

The Morningstar Star Rating held up well in the pandemic, with five-star funds outperforming
Four coffee stocks poised for a post-pandemic pick up

These java juggernauts are brewing up plans to capture the return of commuters and their morning coffees
Manager says Canadian small businesses are due for a comeback

This small-to-mid cap growth specialist sees strong local companies ready for a revival
Did star ratings work in the pandemic?

Morningstar Canada's Director of Investment Research, Ian Tam, finds out how the Morningstar Star Rating for funds performed this year
Stock analyst sentiment in COVID-19

At the peak of the pandemic, analysts were extremely bearish on Canadian stocks - but have since changed direction dramatically
COVID: Which markets have recovered?

As first in and first out of lockdown, China is leading the global recovery. But the UK and Latin America are struggling to make up lost ground
A pandemic of fraud

The coronavirus pandemic has lead to an increase in fraud, and investors should be careful
COVID-19 and the future of financial planning

It’s time to rethink what our financial goals can and should look like
Positive news from vaccines don't change FVEs

Despite encouraging updates from AstraZeneca and BioNTech/Pfizer, we maintain our fair value estimates
Considering a COVID relocation?

Think about the cost, the taxes, and your future lifestyle needs first
Canada’s 2nd most expensive stock

Gold's giving Shopify a run for its money
ESG grows during recovery

Sustainable investments have seen a pick up in investor attention
Gold and tech: Darlings of the market

Just because gold and tech stocks have done well lately, doesn't mean they'll do well in downturns
Have consumer habits changed forever?

Everything's different, but it can't all be permanent
How I played options and ‘lost'

Why investors need a controlled trial by fire, taking advice from social media and a small defence of options
Canadian companies enter value manager crosshairs

A severe set of challenges in the financial sector and rare discounts in real estate reach Counsel's Marian Hoffman
Oil refiners hit by ‘wave 2’ supply shock

Why rising gas prices aren’t helping – and how cheap airplane fuel is flooding the market
A team for the times at Capital Group

A team of 47 saw the $8.0 billion five-star fund skate through the pandemic - now they're getting ready for what's around the corner
From WeWork to We Don't Work

A wave of demand disruptions is about to bring severe consequences to the company if it doesn’t let go of leases soon
Easy money: Download Robinhood, buy stonks, bro down

A battle between smart professional stock sellers and those known as the corona generation has hit global equity markets in recent months
This manager’s all in

By focusing on a handful of select stocks that avoid concentration risk, Black Creek’s Heather Peirce doesn’t need cash to keep things steady
The light at the end of the tunnel

What it looks like for markets, and whether it will last, with BMO's Lesley Marks
Canada’s 5G delay and telco trouble

2020 is already looking rough enough for Canadian phone companies
BRP cuts to survive, then thrive

The Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo maker looks forward to a socially distant future with more activities outdoors
Should you increase your stock exposure?

How to approach your allocations when the stock market is a ping-pong ball
Value and stability up North

'Stay at home' with these four Canadian stocks on sale
Emerging markets after COVID-19

If you're in a market-weighted S&P/TSX Composite index, or even an S&P 500 ETF, maybe not
Is the stock market rebound overdone?

There is no definitive answer, but here are three things to consider before you invest
10 Canadian dividend stocks that are still cheap

Banks, energy companies and consumer plays, among others stocks with yield on sale
It's the fundamentals, not the forecasts

Nevermind trying to guess the path, Manulife’s Prakash Chaudhari finds the right vehicle
Which IPOs are due this year?

Companies whose public offering plans were derailed by COVID-19 are thinking of joining the stock market - but will investors still be keen to buy?
Playing Canadian banks right now

The latest results weren't pretty - on the surface. Morningstar's Eric Compton says there's more than meets the eye, and he's switching picks now.
OK, people: It's time to think big

If the past few months have given you more time for introspection, use it to improve your financial plan in a big-picture way
How Canadian bear markets influence fund performance

Are funds reacting similarly during the pandemic?
Telecom stocks showing resilience

They are trading at a sizeable discount to their fair value estimates, which makes them attractive investment prospects
Pandemic put more money into ETFs

But do we need so many options? We discuss what's next with Mark Noble from Horizons ETFs
Cutting Your COVID Losses?

Cash in on your capital losses by getting tax back in better times – past and future
Should investors fear deflation or inflation?

Up until the pandemic, deflation was the threat. But with record stimulus comes the risk of inflation. What should investors prepare for?
7 pieces of financial advice for new graduates

How you can help your loved ones get on the right track financially, even in a pandemic
Manager forecasts multiple scenarios

RBC’s Dagmara Fijalkowski aims to build a resilient portfolio that can take advantage of adverse scenarios; she is now raising exposure to corporate bonds
How to budget in tough times

5 steps to reduce your financial burden during these unprecedented times
Stocks to benefit from the takeout trend

These names have adapted to crisis and re-calibrated for growth
Ratings to refine your portfolio

After the outperformance of gold-rated funds in the recent sell-off, we talk about how Morningstar Quantitative Ratings make for a solid starting point for your portfolio research
Is technology the new king?

With the housing market temporarily frozen, and energy decimated, the technology sector has crept into the number one spot. Where does that leave Canada?
2010 vs 2020: How investing has changed

A look at the 10 biggest companies today and a decade ago reveals a lot about how investors are thinking
Will COVID-19 send us back to lockdown?

The first-ever virtual Morningstar Executive Forum finds that while our current situation is unprecedented, there are still opportunities, as long as investors know their risks and stay rational
The investments for the times

Take a look back at past downturns to see how each asset type fared when the going got tough with Morningstar's Director of Investment Research, Ian Tam, CFA
Amazon has challenges ahead

Competitors, consumers and regulators are changing the trillion-dollar ecosystem
Manager sees opportunities in small caps

CIBC Renaissance Global Small Cap’s JB Taylor is excited for valuations and opportunities not seen in 10 years
Morningstar Quantitative Ratings in the sell-off

Holding true even in the worst of times, the gold-rated funds outperformed those that rated neutral or negative
Taking Tesla seriously

If a recession can’t stop it then virtually nothing will – why the price is about right
Coronavirus vaccine progress accelerates

Diagnostic testing, treatment, and a coronavirus vaccine could allow near-normal distancing and nonessential business recovery by mid-2021
Don't miss a beat

Taking a break during 'down' months can make for losses, finds Morningstar's Director of Investment Research, Ian Tam, CFA
Four healthcare stocks racing to develop a cure

Opportunistic investors could consider companies with infectious disease and vaccine expertise
Canadian real estate remains resilient

Realosophy's John Pasalis says sales are steady but there are warning signs with rentals
Is Remdesivir-maker Gilead Sciences a 'buy'?

We take a closer look at the potential impact of Remdesivir's nearly certain approval on our valuation model for Gilead
Beyond Meat madness

The no-moat, no-meat burger stock is still too expensive
Gold shares or bullion as portfolio diversifiers?

The answer depends upon the size of the investment
Canada’s dividend aristocrats fall from grace

For now… Could their moves to cut payouts be a sign of strength?
Gold shines for this fund

RBC's approach to precious metals has paid off - miners, bullion and other related securities have made for a medalist performance
Canadian ESG funds grew faster

Morningstar research found superior strength in sustainable funds during the pandemic and oil price war
How to stay disciplined (and why it's important)

A look at how the coronavirus has affected the market and what to do about it, if anything
Berkshire meeting takeaway: extreme caution

This wide-moat firm's annual meeting reminded us to take caution and preserve cash.
Here come the robots

Why humans (and investors) need to get ready for the automatons to take over; and why it's a good thing
Should you buy oil right now?

Oil prices have turned negative for the first time in history. But there's more to investing in this commodity than the spot price, warns Morningstar analyst Kenneth Lamont
Top social distancing stocks

These companies are perfectly positioned to benefit as social distancing and lockdowns force businesses to adopt remote working solutions
Time for a new modern portfolio model?

The old stock/bond model may be getting less efficient and more volatile, and to help with that, new models are offering alternatives
Should you borrow to invest?

Right now, valuations have corrected, some stocks are yielding upwards of 6%, and borrowing rates are low, so the math works out
Is this time different?

With all the headlines and confusion, we want to make sure you’re headed in the right direction - this list of news will be updated daily, to help you stay informed and prepared
The tech fund that barely fell

How Fidelity Global Innovators stayed afloat, and the resilience of exciting names
Deals on dividend stars

Yields are looking very nice relative to today's prices - here are a few tips to help with your stock picks from Morningstar's Director of Investment Research, Ian Tam
Is it time to keep your distance from Zoom?

The teleconferencing platform has had a surge in users, but the freemium model is not without risks—some more embarrassing than others
This time’s recovery will take longer

BMO’s James Thai argues that as the market slowly recovers it’s critical to separate winners from losers
How have liquid alts performed in this downturn?

Surprisingly well.
When stars align

With every bear market comes opportunity
After China, where next?

Post-pandemic shuffling of supply chains out of China will reshape global manufacturing map and create investing opportunities – and risks
How have young investors reacted to COVID-19?

The pandemic-lead economic downturn has spooked already cautious millennial investors – but anecdotal evidence suggests that many are sticking to their investment objectives and goals
Tech sector now decently undervalued

The old stock/bond model may be getting less efficient and more volatile, and to help with that, new models are offering alternatives
Volatility is here to stay

BMO’s base case acknowledges that COVID-19 will devastate global economic growth for the second quarter, and this slowdown might well extend into the third quarter
How have ETFs fared during this bear market?

Ben Johnson explains what happened with value and growth, and discounts and premiums
Such a narrow stock market!

A few companies feast, while many beg
Allocating in uncertain times

Steadyhand shares some tips on portfolio management amidst the volatility
How to lose money

Even though it feels like you are reducing risk by pulling out of the market, the long-term effects could hurt your overall returns
Don't root for the home team too much

Over-investing in Canada can be a 'double-whammy' when it comes to risk, among other reasons to diversify geographically, explains Morningstar's Ian Tam
9 sources of emergency cash, ranked from best to worst

Credit cards are the easiest, but worst option – here’s eight others to try before you swipe
Now’s the time to buy

The current market conditions are creating tremendous dislocations between share prices and intrinsic values, says Sionna’s Marian Hoffmann
COVID-19: Will Canadian house prices fall?

In a word, yes. Funds (and managers) who have historically outperformed their peers have continued to do so in this current downturn
Corporate Debt: Zombieland 2

Could the coronavirus be the detonator for a debt-fuelled economic collapse?
How to avoid dividend cuts

Now is not the time to be chasing yield at all costs
Terminology of a downturn

What to understand about downmarket jargon like volatility, bear market, and recession
Why urgency now is need for calm

From an investment standpoint, now is the time for calm minds and a disciplined and methodical approach which includes having a plan and sticking to it
Why are China’s markets doing so well?

In developed economies: the question on the street is “when will the market blowout end?” In China: the question is “when will the bull market start?”
The opportunities in a recession

The rough road to recession ultimately leads to shiny new opportunities for those who hold on to their nerve – and quality stocks
When will stocks recover?

The four stages of (most) bear markets
When FOMO is warranted

The long-term pain of missing a major day of investment returns won’t be felt until years later – the only way to ensure you catch it is to stay invested
Long term economic effects will be modest

The US is slowing the coronavirus spread as drug makers race toward a vaccine; while the longer-term economic effect will be modest, say Morningstar analysts
COVID-19: Change in Bay Street sentiment

How have stock analysts changed their outlooks because of the virus?
What's going on with Canadian oil right now?

What happens with you get a supply - and demand - shock, and what to expect, explains Nicolas Piquard at Horizons ETFs
When standing pat doesn't sit well

A hands-off policy for your portfolio amid market volatility is usually the best advice, but there are exceptions to that rule
Was there any escape?

Little indeed: When the going got tough, diversification did not get going
What to do with Canadian banks?

The yields look good, but the risks are real, and it could get worse before it gets better
Was this market correction inevitable?

Lex Hall talks to director of equity research Johannes Faul about the stock market collapse and what coronavirus means for the global economy
The importance of staying invested in volatile times

Don't flee the market in a panic, but rather embrace the turmoil as an investment opportunity--you'll be better off in the long run
Virus brings rare entry for tech stocks

Wild weeks on Wall Street have opened some tempting opportunities
3 things to do right now

With COVID-19 comes an crucial need to ensure you're making the right moves: Ian Tam, Director of Investment Research at Morningstar Canada
Can circuit breakers stop panic selling?

Within the context of properly functioning of markets, circuit breakers can help with price discovery that could establish where the bottom is – but they also increase anxiety
How to slow down the slide

If your nerves can’t take it, here are a few things you can do to ease the pain
How Canadian funds are holding up

In the past month, the worst performing categories are all equity focused while most of the top performing categories are fixed income focused
Risk, not volatility, is the real enemy

Grant us investors the wisdom to know the difference