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MORN Stock Analysis 2026 - Morningstar, Inc. AI Rating

MORN Nasdaq Investment Advice IL CIK: 0001289419
Recently Updated • Analysis: Apr 2, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
BUY
78% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 MORN Key Takeaways

Revenue: $2.4B
Net Margin: 15.3%
Free Cash Flow: $442.6M
Current Ratio: 0.99x
Debt/Equity: 0.88x
EPS: $8.87
AI Rating: BUY with 78% confidence

Is MORN a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Morningstar demonstrates solid financial health with strong profitability metrics (15.3% net margin, 30.6% ROE) and robust cash generation (18.1% FCF margin, $442.6M free cash flow). However, flat revenue growth and a tight current ratio of 0.99x warrant monitoring, though the company's exceptional interest coverage (2309.6x) and substantial debt capacity mitigate leverage concerns.

Why Buy MORN? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional profitability with 15.3% net margin and 30.6% ROE demonstrating efficient capital deployment
  • + Strong cash flow generation with $442.6M free cash flow and 18.1% FCF margin providing financial flexibility
  • + Outstanding interest coverage ratio of 2309.6x indicates minimal financial distress risk despite $1.1B long-term debt
  • + Solid operating efficiency with 21.5% operating margin showing operational discipline

MORN Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Flat revenue growth at 0% YoY suggests market saturation or competitive pressures in investment advisory services
  • ! Current ratio of 0.99x indicates tight working capital position and limited short-term liquidity cushion
  • ! High debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88x with $1.1B long-term debt represents meaningful financial leverage exposure
  • ! Modest net income growth of only 1.2% YoY indicates limited earnings acceleration despite operational profitability

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Quarterly revenue growth trajectory to confirm whether flat growth is temporary or structural
  • * Operating cash flow trends and free cash flow conversion to validate cash generation sustainability
  • * Current ratio movement and working capital management as liquidity is constrained
  • * Debt reduction progress and leverage ratios given elevated debt-to-equity position

MORN Financial Metrics

Revenue
$2.4B
Net Income
$374.2M
EPS (Diluted)
$8.87
Free Cash Flow
$442.6M
Total Assets
$3.6B
Cash Position
$474.5M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.

MORN Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 21.5%
Net Margin 15.3%
ROE 30.6%
ROA 10.4%
FCF Margin 18.1%

MORN vs Default Sector

How Morningstar, Inc. compares to Default sector averages

Net Margin
MORN 15.3%
vs
Sector Avg 12.0%
MORN Sector
ROE
MORN 30.6%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
MORN Sector
Current Ratio
MORN 1.0x
vs
Sector Avg 1.8x
MORN Sector
Debt/Equity
MORN 0.9x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
MORN Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is MORN Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, Morningstar, Inc. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Default sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
30.6%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
15.3%
Sector avg: 12%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.88x
Sector avg: 0.7x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

MORN Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
0.99x
Quick Ratio
0.99x
Debt/Equity
0.88x
Debt/Assets
66.0%
Interest Coverage
2,309.65x
Long-term Debt
$1.1B

MORN 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

MORN 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $1.7B, Net Income $152.0M, EPS $3.52. Year 2022: Revenue $1.9B, Net Income $223.6M, EPS $5.18. Year 2023: Revenue $2.0B, Net Income $193.3M, EPS $4.45. Year 2024: Revenue $2.3B, Net Income $70.5M, EPS $1.64. Year 2025: Revenue $2.4B, Net Income $141.1M, EPS $3.29.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Morningstar, Inc.'s revenue has grown significantly by 44% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $3.29 reflects profitable operations.

MORN Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
18.1%
Free cash flow / Revenue

MORN Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Morningstar, Inc. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $569.4M $64.2M $2.17
Q2 2025 $571.9M $64.2M $1.60
Q1 2025 $542.8M $64.2M $1.49
Q3 2024 $515.5M -$7.6M $0.91
Q2 2024 $504.7M -$7.6M $0.67
Q1 2024 $479.7M -$7.6M $-0.18
Q3 2023 $468.2M -$7.6M $-0.21
Q2 2023 $470.4M -$7.6M $0.67

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

MORN Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$589.7M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$787.0M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$147.1M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$76.9M
Returned to shareholders

MORN SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Morningstar, Inc. (CIK: 0001289419)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 27, 2026 DEF 14A d36193ddef14a.htm View →
Mar 25, 2026 8-K tm269740d1_8k.htm View →
Mar 13, 2026 8-K morn-20260313.htm View →
Mar 4, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772661267.xml View →
Mar 3, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772581152.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about MORN

What is the AI rating for MORN?

Morningstar, Inc. (MORN) has an AI rating of BUY with 78% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are MORN's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional profitability with 15.3% net margin and 30.6% ROE demonstrating efficient capital deployment. Strong cash flow generation with $442.6M free cash flow and 18.1% FCF margin providing financial flexibility.

What are the risks of investing in MORN?

Claude: Flat revenue growth at 0% YoY suggests market saturation or competitive pressures in investment advisory services. Current ratio of 0.99x indicates tight working capital position and limited short-term liquidity cushion.

What is MORN's revenue and growth?

Morningstar, Inc. reported revenue of $2.4B.

Does MORN pay dividends?

Morningstar, Inc. pays dividends, with $76.9M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find MORN SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Morningstar, Inc. (CIK: 0001289419) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is MORN's EPS?

Morningstar, Inc. has a diluted EPS of $8.87.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is MORN a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Morningstar, Inc. has a BUY rating with 78% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.

Is MORN stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for MORN: ROE of 30.6% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 15.3% (sector avg: 12%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy MORN stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Morningstar, Inc. a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is MORN's free cash flow?

Morningstar, Inc.'s operating cash flow is $589.7M, with capital expenditures of $147.1M. FCF margin is 18.1%.

How does MORN compare to other Default stocks?

Vs Default sector averages: Net margin 15.3% (avg: 12%), ROE 30.6% (avg: 15%), current ratio 0.99 (avg: 1.8).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Apr 2, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI