You’ve seen them.
Stars next to stocks. Stars next to mutual funds. And if you’re like most investors, you’ve probably wondered: What do these stars really mean?
Spoiler: they’re not just some Wall Street sticker chart.
Morningstar’s star ratings are built on real math, deep analysis, and decades of performance tracking.
Let me show you exactly how they work—and how to actually use them.
TLDR: Morningstar Ratings Explained
- Star ratings measure a stock or fund’s current price relative to its fair value
- 1 star = overvalued; 5 stars = undervalued
- Fund ratings also reflect risk-adjusted returns versus peers
- Updated daily for stocks and monthly for funds
- Should be a starting point—not your entire decision
Read our review and learn how you can get an exclusive discount here.
1. What Morningstar Ratings Are Not
First, let’s kill a myth:
These stars don’t predict future performance.
They’re not buy/sell signals.
And they definitely don’t mean “this fund is guaranteed to outperform.”
Instead, think of them as a valuation guide or a performance benchmark based on real data.

2. How Morningstar Rates Stocks
For stocks, the star rating is based on the stock’s current market price vs. its fair value estimate.
- 5 stars: Deeply undervalued (buying opportunity)
- 4 stars: Slightly undervalued
- 3 stars: Fairly valued
- 2 stars: Slightly overvalued
- 1 star: Significantly overvalued (proceed with caution)
The fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow analysis (DCF), factoring in growth, risk, and economic moat.
So if a stock gets hammered for short-term reasons, but fundamentals are strong? It might earn a higher star rating.
3. How Morningstar Rates Funds
Funds get their stars based on risk-adjusted historical performance compared to similar funds.
In other words, did the fund beat its peers without taking on excessive risk?
Morningstar looks at:
- Total return
- Volatility
- Expense ratio
- Consistency
The result?
- 5 stars: Top 10% of category
- 4 stars: Next 22.5%
- 3 stars: Middle 35%
- 2 stars: Next 22.5%
- 1 star: Bottom 10%
It’s not just about return. It’s about return per unit of risk.
TRENDING DEAL:
Disclaimers:
The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/3/2025. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE® Checking is variable and is set at our discretion. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE® Savings is variable and is set at our discretion. Axos ONE® Savings is a tiered variable rate account. Axos ONE® Checking is a non-tiered variable rate account. Interest rates may change as often as daily without prior notice. Fees may reduce earnings.Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Incentive may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After the accounts are opened, the amount of incentive earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below.The Axos ONE® Checking account will earn a base rate of 0.00% APY. The Axos ONE® Savings account will earn a base rate of up to 1.00% APY.Axos ONE® accounts are eligible to receive a promotional APY for each statement cycle where the promotional criteria are met during the Qualification Period. To receive the promotional APY on both Axos ONE® Checking and Axos ONE® Savings, the Axos ONE® Checking account must meet both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 below during the Qualification Period:Option 1Your Axos ONE® Checking account has received monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 in total.The average daily balance of your Axos ONE® Checking account is at least $1,500.Option 2Your Axos ONE® Checking account has received monthly qualifying deposits of at least $5,000 in total.The average daily balance of your Axos ONE® Checking account is at least $5,000.If both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 above are met during the Qualification Period:The Axos ONE® Checking account will earn a promotional rate of 0.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.The Axos ONE® Savings account will earn a promotional rate of up to 4.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.The Qualification Period begins on the first business day of the month and runs through the 25th of the month. If the 25th of the month is followed by a non-business day, the average daily balance will be calculated including the following non-business day(s). Any qualifying deposits or qualifying direct deposits received after the 25th of the month will count toward the next Qualification Period. The Qualification Period for new accounts will begin on the day the account is approved. New accounts opened on or after the 25th of the month will be eligible to earn the promotional APY starting in the following month.A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability, etc. International paychecks, international government benefits, other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.), or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit.Qualifying deposits only include deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers from external accounts, (ii) inbound wire transfers from external accounts, (iii) check deposits. Qualifying deposits do not include: (i) transfers internal to the bank (i.e., transfers between an account holder’s Checking and/or Savings account), (ii) interest payments, (iii) promotional bonuses, (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds.Both accounts must be in an open and active status on the 25th of the month and on the date the interest is paid to receive the promotional APY for that statement cycle. If either account closes during the Qualification Period, neither account will be eligible to earn the promotional APY for that statement cycle. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account. Show Less
4. How Often Are Ratings Updated?
- Stock ratings: Reviewed daily based on price changes and fair value updates
- Fund ratings: Updated monthly, using trailing performance data over 3, 5, and 10 years (when available)
So yes, those stars can move. Especially if markets shift or performance trends change.
5. How to Actually Use the Ratings
Don’t treat them like gospel.
Instead, use Morningstar ratings to:
- Spot potential undervalued opportunities (5-star stocks)
- Compare funds in the same category based on risk-adjusted returns
- Validate your investment thesis or flag something to dig into deeper
The best investors use the stars as a starting point, not an endpoint.
The Cost? Practically Pays for Itself
Morningstar Premium is $34.95/month—or just $249/year if you go with the annual plan. (Plus, you can get $50 off with this exclusive deal.)
Sounds like a lot? Not when you put it in perspective.
Think about it: one solid insight from a Morningstar analyst could help you dodge a costly mistake or catch a breakout stock early. That alone can cover the subscription—and then some.
If you’re serious about building long-term wealth, this isn’t an expense.
It’s an investment in making smarter decisions.
Read More: Here are additional investment research tools to check out. I’ve always been a big fan of Seeking Alpha. But Morningstar has it’s advantages.
Want to make smarter investing decisions without getting lost in the weeds?
Learn how to leverage Morningstar ratings as part of a larger, data-driven strategy.
Because when you understand what the stars really mean, you can stop guessing—and start investing with clarity.
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