Morningstar published its monthly summary of Morningstar Analyst Rating activity for 182 U.S. mutual funds and exchange-traded funds and two target-date series that occurred in March 2018.
In March, Morningstar research analysts assigned new ratings to nine funds, upgraded the ratings of seven funds, downgraded the ratings of seven funds, and placed 10 funds' ratings under review.
The Morningstar Analyst Rating for funds represents Morningstar's conviction in the fund's ability to outperform on a risk-adjusted basis over the long term. The five-tiered, qualitative Morningstar Analyst Rating scale has three positive levels, indicating Morningstar Medalists — Gold, Silver, and Bronze — in addition to Neutral and Negative ratings.
As of March 31, 2018, Morningstar analysts had assigned a Morningstar Analyst Rating of Gold to 156 U.S. funds, a Silver rating to 325 funds, a Bronze rating to 595 funds, a Neutral rating to 695 funds, and a Negative rating to 19 funds.
