Founded in 1984 by Joe Mansueto, Morningstar started as a small investment research firm focused on providing data and analysis on mutual funds. The idea came from Joe's passion for helping investors make informed decisions about their investments, recognizing a gap in the market for reliable financial information. Today, Morningstar is owned by Morningstar, Inc., a publicly traded company that continues to expand its services in investment research and financial data. Today, Morningstar covers a wide range of topics including investment research, financial news, market analysis, and personal finance advice. Based in the United Kingdom, the publication aims to keep its readers informed about important developments in the financial world and provides articles, reports, and tools that are useful for both individual investors and financial professionals. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of Morningstar is its star rating system for mutual funds and stocks, which has become a widely recognized tool in the investment community, helping investors quickly assess the quality of their investment options based on performance and risk.