The Morning Filter

Morningstar
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Every Monday, Susan Dziubinski sits down with Morningstar chief US market strategist Dave Sekera to discuss one thing that’s on his radar this week, one new piece of Morningstar research, and a few stock picks or pans for the week ahead.

  1. 2D AGO

    3 Cheap Stocks to Buy Now as Small Caps Heat Up

    In this week’s episode of The Morning Filter podcast, hosts Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski discuss whether investors should or shouldn’t worry about the declining US dollar. They also break down tech’s wild earnings last week: Tune in to find out if Microsoft MSFT, Meta Platforms META, Apple AAPL or ServiceNow NOW are stocks to buy today—and whether Tesla TSLA finally looks attractive after Morningstar’s big fair value upgrade. They share what to watch in the upcoming earnings reports from Alphabet GOOGL, Amazon.com AMZN, and some notable consumer defensive companies this week.  Small-cap stocks are having a moment: The co-hosts discuss whether the rally can continue. They close the episode with three small-cap stocks to buy that look undervalued now. Episode Highlights  00:00:00 Welcome 00:06:10 Earnings on Tap: GOOGL, AMZN & More  00:11:16 New Research on MSFT, META, TLSA, AAPL  00:25:27 Audience Question: ADBE & APH  00:28:37- Stock Picks of the Week    Read about topics from this episode.  The Best ETFs to Ride the Small-Cap Stock Rally Morningstar's Company Earnings Hub Read Dave’s complete archive.   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all   Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  2. JAN 26

    3 Durable Stocks to Buy Now for the Long Term

    This episode of The Morning Filter marks the podcast’s third anniversary. Hosts Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski reveal how the stock picks from the podcast’s first episode have performed and share which ones are still attractive stocks to buy today. They also discuss an under-discussed risk factor that contributed to market volatility last week. And they welcome special guest (and Fed watcher) Sarah Hansen to preview this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and parse what to watch for from the Fed this year.  It’s a big earnings week ahead: Tune in to find out what to look for as Microsoft MSFT, Meta Platforms META, Apple AAPL, and Tesla TSLA (among others) report. They cover key takeaways from big bank earnings, whether Netflix NFLX is a buy after reporting, which stock received a 38% fair value estimate increase last week and what to make of Berkshire Hathaway BRK.B possibly offloading its stake in Kraft Heinz KHC. Episode Highlights  00:00:00 Welcome 00:09:01 On radar: Fed Meeting 00:15:07 Earnings Watch: MSFT, META, AAPL, More 00:23:10 Updates on Megabanks, NFLX, TSM, KHC 00:33:17 Stock Picks of the Week Read about topics from this episode.  What’s Next for the Fed in 2026? Morningstar's Company Earnings Hub Read Sarah Hansen’s full archive.   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all     Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera.   Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  3. JAN 12

    5 Stocks to Buy in January 2026

    On this episode of The Morning Filter podcast, Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski preview the December inflation numbers coming out this week and cover which other economic reports to watch. They discuss valuations of the big banks reporting in the next few days—including JP Morgan JPM, Bank of America BAC and Citigroup C—and expectations for earnings. President Trump wants to increase the defense budget; tune in to find out what that may mean for popular defense stocks like Lockheed Martin LMT, Northrop Grumman NOC, and others.   Dave shares his stock market outlook for 2026, including whether investors should overweight stocks today or pull back, which parts of the market are undervalued, and what risks could contribute to market volatility this year. They wrap the episode with stock picks to buy in January that Morningstar’s analysts like.   Episode Highlights  00:00 Welcome  05:59 Watching Inflation, Retail Sales, Bank Earnings  15:39 Updates on STZ and Defense Stocks  26:07 2026 Stock Market Outlook  38:32 Stock Picks Read about topics from this episode.  Register for Dave's 2026 Outlook Webinar. https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/webinars/quarterly-economic-outlook Read Dave’s complete archive. https://www.morningstar.com/people/david-sekera   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all   Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details.    Read more from Susan and Dave: Susan Dziubinski https://www.morningstar.com/people/susan-dziubinski Dave Sekera https://www.morningstar.com/people/david-sekera   Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min

  4. JAN 5

    5 Core Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026

    On this week’s episode of The Morning Filter podcast, Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski recap volatile 2025 and preview what may lie ahead in 2026. They discuss what to watch this week, including the earnings report from stock pick Constellation Brands STZ. They unpack Morningstar’s recent 50% fair value increase on Micron Technology MU stock, review results from Darden Restaurants DRI and FedEx FDX, and discuss whether Novo Nordisk NVO or Eli Lilly LLY is the better obesity drug stock to buy today.  Dave shares some of his favorite resources for stock investors. They close with a discussion about stocks that make good core holdings: Tune in to learn which five core stocks look like attractive buys in the new year.   Episode Highlights  00:00 Welcome 01:16 2025 Market Recap  21:20 Micron’s Big Fair Value Increase  32:34 Top Resources for Stock Investors  39:05 Core Stocks to Buy and Hold   Read about topics from this episode.  December 2025 Stock Market Outlook: Where We See Investment Opportunities Read Dave’s complete archive.   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all     Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more fromSusan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    4 Cheap Stock Picks We Still Like for 2026

    On this week’s episode of The Morning Filter podcast, Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski take a look back at some of their best and worst stock buy and sell calls of 2025. Although Morningstar’s approach to stock investing is decidedly long term, they discuss why reviewing stock pick hits and misses each year on the podcast is nonetheless important. They end wrap this week’s episode with four undervalued stock picks from 2025 that still look attractive heading into the new year.   Episode Highlights  00:00:00  Welcome 00:01:25  Morningstar’s Stock Picking Strategy 00:06:03 How Our Stocks to Buy Did 00:38:10 How Our Stocks to Sell Did 00:46:38 Cheap Stock Picks for 2026   Read about topics from this episode.  December 2025 Stock Market Outlook: Where We See Investment Opportunities Read Dave’s complete archive.   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all     Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    5 Stocks to Buy When They Pull Back

    On this week’s episode of The Morning Filter podcast, Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski discuss what’s next after the Federal Reserves 25-basis-point interest rate cut and which economic reports could move the market this week. Tune in to find out why to keep an eye on the earnings reports from Micron Technology MU, FedEx FDX, and Darden Restaurants DRI and whether Marvell Technology MRVL remains a stock to buy after a tough week.  They unpack new earnings reports from Oracle ORCL, Adobe ADBE, and Costco COST, among others. And this week’s picks are stocks to put on a watch list to buy on weakness.   Episode Highlights  00:00 Welcome  01:07 Fed Meeting Recap  04:35 On Radar: Economic Reports, Earnings  12:05 Updates on ORCL, MRVL, ADBE, COST  29:00 Stocks to Buy on Weakness   Read about topics from this episode.  December 2025 Stock Market Outlook: Where We See Investment Opportunities Read Dave’s complete archive.   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X: https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all     Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    5 Stocks to Buy to Upgrade Your Portfolio for 2026

    On this week’s episode of The Morning Filter podcast, Dave Sekera and Susan Dziubinski discuss the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut and why to watch the earnings reports from Costo COST, Cambell’s CPB and Adobe ADBE this week. Tune in to find out which cybersecurity stocks are buys after earnings and whether Marvell Technology MRVL or Salesforce CRM remain top picks.  They unpack the market’s current valuation: Are stocks overpriced, underpriced, or fairly valued today? This week’s stock picks are high-quality wide moat stocks to buy that can upgrade an investment portfolio in 2026.   Episode Highlights  00:00 Welcome  00:59 On Radar: Fed Meeting, Earnings  08:51 New Research: Cybersecurity Firms, MRVL, More  19:16 Updated Stock Market Outlook  27:01 Wide Moat Stocks to Buy   Read about topics from this episode.  December 2025 Stock Market Outlook: Where We See Investment Opportunities   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all   Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year for Dividend Stocks

    Plus, several undervalued stocks to buy with stable dividends.   In this special episode of The Morning Filter podcast, co-host Susan Dziubinski sits down with Morningstar columnist Dan Lefkovitz to take a deep dive into dividend stock investing today. They discuss what’s caused U.S. dividend stocks to lag this year while international dividend stocks have outperformed. Tune in to find out why the stock buyback boom is bad news for dividend seekers and what metrics investors should look at if they want to avoid dividend cuts. They name drop a few undervalued stocks that Morningstar thinks have stable dividends, cover why dividend growth stock investing is underappreciated, and close with a discussion about whether dividend stocks are poised to outperform in 2026.   Episode Highlights  00:01:16 Dividend Stock Performance: 2025 Recap 00:06:59 What the Buyback Boom Means for Dividend Investors 00:13:06 3 Ways to Spot a Dividend Cut Early 00:17:50 Dividend Growth Stocks: Why Bother?   Read about topics from this episode.  Stock Buybacks Are Booming in 2025. That’s Bad News for Dividend Investors The Surprising Truth About Dividend Growth Stocks Not All Dividend Stocks Are Safe. Here’s How to Avoid Dividend Traps Why International Dividend Stocks Have Pulled Ahead   Got a question for Dave? Send it to themorningfilter@morningstar.com.   Follow us on social media. Dave Sekera on X: @MstarMarkets Dave Sekera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesekera Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/ X https://x.com/MorningstarInc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all   Viewers who’d like more information about any of the stocks Dave talked about today can visit Morningstar.com for more details. Read more from Susan Dziubinski and Dave Sekera. Subscribe to The Morning Filter to get notified when we post. We’ll see you next Monday! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

Every Monday, Susan Dziubinski sits down with Morningstar chief US market strategist Dave Sekera to discuss one thing that’s on his radar this week, one new piece of Morningstar research, and a few stock picks or pans for the week ahead.

Information

  • Channel
    Morningstar
  • Creator
    Morningstar
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Morningstar, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Morning Filter

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