If you're looking to get information on the Morningstar rating, you can go to Morningstar’s website and get good solid information. It will explain how the company rates the mutual funds. However, to get a well-rounded view of the Morningstar rating, you will want to look at other websites.

By looking at other websites, you will gain a better understanding as to why a mutual fund that receives a good rating is performing below average or average. You can get Morningstar rate information by doing the following:

1. Acquire Internet help with the Morningstar rating.

2. Obtain Morningstar rating advice from investors.

3. Take advantage of Morningstar rating training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get help with Morningstar rating

You can go to websites that will give you solid Morningstar rating information. Obviously, you'll first want to look at Morningstar's website. However, to get a better perspective, look at other websites. For example, you may wonder why does a mutual fund receive a good Morningstar rating, but the industry of the mutual fund is having a down period. The websites will explain the reasons why.

I recommend: You will definitely want to look at QuickOverview. This website really breaks down how Morningstar rates mutual funds. The Skilled Investor is also another website to check out. The page has a question-and-answer format on the Morningstar rating. In the answer section, it has a link that you can click to read the entire article.

Seek Morningstar rating advice

You don't need the assistance of a Morningstar rating consultant. Instead, you can get the information yourself. You can get Morningstar rating advice from professional or non-professional investors. Don't be surprised that you may get more valuable information from the non-professional investor. For one, this person will write in layman's terms rather than using fundamental or technical terms.

I recommend: Gather has good Morningstar rating advice. The person who wrote this article on Morningstar has great things to say about the company. What you will like about this article is that this person is not a fundamental or technical investor. Sensible Investments is another place to check out. This article focuses on why your mutual fund is performing average rather than above average.

Invest in Morningstar rating training

You should consider getting training on the Morningstar rating. The main reason is that Morningstar may change its rating system;taking a training course will help you stay abreast of the changes. For example, you will understand how Morningstar mathematically computes its star ratings. You will also see how it compares the mutual fund's historical returns to its historical volatility.

I recommend: Morningstar offers training sessions in person or on the Internet. If you’re looking for a more tailored training, Morningstar will come to your office. Winning Investment explains how Morningstar changed the mutual funds’ ratings. If you want a refresher on mutual funds, this website offers a basic training course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Just because a mutual fund or stock has received a good Morningstar rating does not mean you should buy or sell it. You will have to conduct further investigation to help you make this important decision.