Morningstar Updates

Submitted by Jeff Fisher

Morningstar is one of the Library's online resources available to patrons.  Morningstar allows patrons to evaluate investments using up to date stock values, market research, as well as cost and savings tools and calculators.  

Morningstar is conducting online training each week  to highlight some updates and improvements to the database.  This training can be discovered by selecting Morningstar from the eResources section of the FCPL website, and then selecting 'HELP' from the menu tab across the top center of the database homepage.  The online training schedule is listed on the left side of the HELP page. 

Throughout the database there are embedded videos to help explain Morningstar rating systems and terms to patrons.  Patrons can also export data for a particular stock or equity into an Excel spreadsheet.  Another feature is a collection of monthly newsletters in PDF format.  These may be accessed by selecting the 'NEWSLETTER' option next to the 'HELP' option on the database homepage.

Morningstar contains a tool that will evaluate various 529 college savings plans.  This is located under 'FUNDS' and then '529 College Savings.'  Online courses are available under 'PLANNING & EDUCATION' then 'Investing Classroom.'  

Individual stocks and funds can be examined as well.  Included within the database are new carbon and environmental sustainability reports for funds.  Pulling up an individual stock will provide price history, value analysis, dividend reports, and other detailed information.