Morningstar Inc. (MORN) Expands Private Market Insights Through PitchBook, Analyst Highlights AI Positioning

Morningstar Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) is one of the best beaten down stocks to invest in according to analysts. On December 18, Morningstar Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) and its subsidiary PitchBook launched “The Evergreen Fund Landscape,” a new quarterly research series analyzing performance, flows, fees, and trends in semiliquid private market funds. The inaugural report shows evergreen fund assets doubling since 2022 to nearly $500 billion, with private credit driving growth and new product launches hitting record highs in 2025. Early index results highlight wide performance dispersion, underscoring the importance of manager selection, while fees remain above public market norms.

Morningstar Inc. (MORN) Approves 10% Dividend Increase as Wall Street Firms Assert Bullish Stance

On December 5, the company reiterated its commitment to shareholder value by announcing a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend to 50 cents per share. It marks the fourth consecutive year of dividend increase backed by a 12.35% dividend growth over the last 12 months.

The 50 cents quarterly dividend is to be paid on January 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of January 2, 2026. The company has also announced plans for three additional dividend payments in 2026, with its annualized dividend yield rising to $2 a share from $1.82 a share.

On November 26, BMO Capital analyst Jeffrey Silber reiterated a Buy rating on the stock and a $250 price target. According to the analyst, the stock is a Buy owing to the company’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence. The analyst has touted the company’s focus on delivering unique data and enhancing product insights, positioning it in the evolving market landscape. The company’s PitchBook platform, which integrates AI with human intelligence to aggregate data from diverse sources, stands out.

Morningstar Inc. (NASDAQ:MORN) is a leading global investment research firm that provides independent analysis, data, and tools for individual investors, financial advisors, and institutions, covering mutual funds, stocks, ETFs, and markets, and also offers investment management services.

While we acknowledge the potential of MORN to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MORN and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 14 Best Forever Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds and 14 Best Aerospace and Defense Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.