Private Equity May Not Diversify Your Portfolio Like You Think
Alternative investments can create ‘a false sense of diversification,’ according to Morningstar’s Don Phillips.
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Christine Benz
Christine Benz is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. She is also the author of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. Email Christine at christine.benz@morningstar.com. She reads all of the emails she receives but doesn't always have time to send a personal response.
More From Christine Benz
Which Asset Types Have Held Up Best in US Recessions?
Stocks have been unreliable, but one asset class stood out across every recessionary period we examined.
Your 2026 Reading List: The Books Our Analysts Are Giving and Reading This Season
Discover thoughtful, insight-rich books perfect for holiday giving or for starting your 2026 reading list strong.
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Don’t Count on Dividend Stocks Alone for Retirement Income
There are risks if you rely too much on the payouts from dividend stocks in retirement.
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Your Investment Portfolio Is Probably Riskier Than You Think
Complacency and a higher risk tolerance are to blame.
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5 Investments You Don’t Really Need
Plus, which core building blocks every portfolio should have.
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Is Investing Becoming Too Complex? Vanguard’s CEO Weighs In
Salim Ramji discusses private markets, cryptocurrency, and Vanguard.
My Baptism by FIRE: Lessons from the Financial Independence, Retire Early Movement
Getting to know the FIRE community better made me think again about the nature of work and retirement planning.
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5 Key Investing Lessons From Recent Market Volatility
Tips to help investors navigate uncertainty.
Are US Bonds Broken as Diversifiers for Stocks?
The case for fixed income as equity ballast remains largely intact, but investors should check their exposures.
Experts Forecast US Stock and Bond Returns: 2025 Edition
Long-term return expectations drop across major asset classes, and some firms are now forecasting higher returns for bonds than US stocks over the next decade.
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How to Spot a Market Bubble
Jeremy Grantham discusses tips for investors and how the rise of AI compares with previous market bubble bursts.
Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early or Invest My Savings?
Higher safe yields in 2024 upend the old rules related to mortgage paydown, but every set of personal circumstances is different
Five Steps to a Minimalist Portfolio
A guide to building an effective, low-maintenance portfolio. Plus, some sample portfolio mixes to help you get started
I Could Have My Guccis On, But The Best Luxuries Aren't Brands
Christine Benz has managed her finances sensibly, and could afford to splurge on a big ticket item but, when it came down to it, she hesitated
Smaller Withdrawals: Why 3.3% Is The Drawdown Dream
(20-minute read) As rules of thumb go, this one is simple enough to execute, and could have a visible impact on your retirement
3 Income Investing Myths
If interest rates rise, where should bond investors go for protection? Will individual bonds, dividend-paying stocks, or cash be safest?
