After Gundlach Attack, Morningstar Defends Its Analysis

After being “stared-down” yesterday by Jeffery Gundlach, founder of bond investing powerhouse DoubleLine, independent investment research firm Morningstar is standing by its analysis methods and handling of the firm in the past. It is unclear if Gundlach chose this moment to attack Morningstar or it happened naturally. Speculation is that an upcoming review of the fund, known to Gundlach, is what is really at issue. What is also at stake, however, is the independent nature of investment research and the ability to withstand apparent bullying from those subject to the ratings, an issue similar to what occurred in 2008 and led to a…