09:02 GMT, November 19, 2009 CHICAGO | Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, today announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has entered into an agreement with Morningstar to offer its proprietary investment research and tools to all military service personnel and their families worldwide. The online database, Morningstar® Investment Research Center, features research and analytical tools from Morningstar's popular retail Web site, Morningstar.com®, and will be available to approximately 6.5 million Department of Defense employees and their families.

Members of the U.S. Navy have been using the service since 2002, but this agreement extends access to the entire Department of Defense network, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard. Morningstar Investment Research Center will allow Department of Defense employees to take advantage of numerous Morningstar features from most military base libraries and all military service portals, which include Military OneSource, Army OneSource, Army Knowledge Online (AKO), Navy Knowledge Online (NKO), and My AF Portal. Military personnel will have access to:

* In-depth data reports on nearly 9,500 stocks, 24,000 mutual funds, and 800 exchange-traded funds.
* Proprietary, independent Morningstar analyst reports on 1,800 stocks, 1,700 mutual funds, and 350 exchange-traded funds.
* Innovative evaluation tools, including the Morningstar Rating(TM) for funds, stocks, and exchange-traded funds, the Morningstar Style Box(TM), and Morningstar Stewardship Grade(SM).
* Robust screening and portfolio tools.
* An online classroom that provides educational courses on basic investing concepts such as compounding and expense ratios, and strategies such as determining risk tolerance.

"We're thrilled that the Department of Defense sees the value in offering our proprietary investment research and tools to its employees," said Susan Dziubinski, director of library services for Morningstar. "In this volatile economic environment, investors are clamoring for information they can trust to make better investment decisions. The military is offering its personnel around the globe an excellent benefit by giving them direct access to in-depth, independent research from Morningstar."

"We're excited to have the Morningstar Investment Research Center available in our libraries and on military service portals," added Carla Pomager, family and morale welfare and recreation command, Alexandria, VA. "Now, all military service members and their families can check out their investments from the convenience of their home or office."