CHICAGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, will hold its fourth annual Stocks Forum in Chicago on Nov. 5-6, 2009, featuring discussions with Morningstar's equities strategists and analysts, along with executives from 18 companies respected by Morningstar equity analysts. CEOs of two of the companies presenting were recipients of Morningstar's CEO of the Year award in 2006 and 2007. "Our stocks forum is a great opportunity for investors to engage with Morningstar's strategists and analysts, and hear their perspectives on the current market environment, emerging trends, investing strategies, and stock picks," said Catherine Odelbo, president of Morningstar's equity research group. "We're also looking forward to bringing together representatives from some of our favorite companies to share their insights about how they build durable competitive advantages and long-term value for their shareholders." Nov. 4, 2009: Pre-Forum Workshops At the pre-forum event held at Morningstar's new headquarters in Chicago, investors can choose from three different workshops, which will cover stock valuation, understanding options, and investing in options. The workshops are presented by Morningstar experts and attendees can obtain three hours of continuing education (CE) credits as granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The three-hour workshops are offered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Nov. 5, 2009: Invest With an Edge The Stocks Forum kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza in Chicago. Morningstar's equity strategists will share their investing approach, current picks, and portfolio performance through three strategy sessions: -- Josh Peters, CFA, equities strategist and editor of the Morningstar DividendInvestor newsletter, will discuss why company dividends--even after so many cuts--are more relevant than ever, along with his top selections from the high-yield equity universe. -- Justin Perucki, CFA and Michael Tian, editors of the Morningstar Opportunistic Investor newsletter, will explain the strategy behind their model Mosaic Portfolio, the direction they expect it to take over the next year, and the companies they are currently watching. -- Paul Larson, equities strategist and editor of the Morningstar StockInvestor newsletter, will review his current favorites from the market-beating Tortoise and Hare portfolios, along with his thoughts on wide-moat companies--those with a strong competitive advantage--that are ripe for purchase. Investors will also have the opportunity to hear Morningstar's perspective on timely, topical issues through three breakout panel sessions with Morningstar equity analysts, offered at 10:35 a.m. and 1:35 p.m. These sessions will address the current economic environment, proposals for healthcare reform, and the global investing climate. Morningstar's Director of Equity Research Pat Dorsey will present a keynote address about his outlook for the market during lunch. In the afternoon, Dorsey will interview Robert Miles, author of The Warren Buffet CEO: Secrets from the Berkshire Hathaway Managers, at the 4 p.m. keynote address. Nov. 6, 2009: Meet the Management behind the Moat Executives from 18 companies that Morningstar covers will discuss how they manage their business for the long term, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. Companies that are scheduled to present are: Alcon, Inc. (ACL), AptarGroup, Inc. (ATR), BB&T Corporation (BBT), Cintas Corporation (CTAS), CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP), Ecolab Inc. (ECL), Fastenal Company (FAST), General Mills Inc. (GIS), IMS Health, Inc. (RX), Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM), Nalco Holding Company (NLC), National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV), NSTAR (NST), Realty Income Corporation (O), Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD), Stericycle Inc. (SRCL), Strayer Education Inc. (STRA), and Sysco Corporation (SYY). Throughout the Stocks Forum, attendees can speak one-on-one with more than 50 of Morningstar's equity analysts and participate in roundtable discussions during lunch each day. To view the complete agenda, please visit http://www.morningstar.com/goto/stocksforum. Attendee Registration Information For a limited time, registration for the Morningstar Stocks Forum is $249, and pre-forum workshops are $99 each. To register, please visit http://www.morningstar.com/goto/stocksforum or call toll free at 866-910-1145. Institutional investors can request one-on-one meetings with the management teams presenting during the Stocks Forum by calling 312-384-4052. Complimentary Registration for Journalists Members of the news media may receive complimentary registration to the Morningstar Stocks Forum by contacting Nadine Youssef, Morningstar corporate communications, at 312-696-6601 or . About Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutions. Morningstar provides data on nearly 325,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 4 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. The company has operations in 19 countries and minority ownership positions in companies based in three other countries. This press release is not intended to be an offer or solicitation to buy or sell the above-mentioned securities. Under Morningstar's editorial policies, equity analysts are prohibited from holding positions in the companies they cover. ©2009 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. MORN-C Media Contact: Nadine Youssef, 312-696-6601 or DATASOURCE: Morningstar, Inc. CONTACT: Nadine Youssef of Morningstar, Inc., +1-312-696-6601, Web Site: http://www.morningstar.com/ http://www.morningstar.com/goto/stocksforum

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