Insight Blog | Litman Gregory Wealth Management

News & Updates

Cybersecurity Reminder

In recent months, we have heard about and witnessed a disturbing spike in cybercrime attempts. Because of this unfortunate increase, we are taking this opportunity to remind you to remain vigilant and cautious when receiving phone calls, text messages, and emails that appear to ask for a response.

Investment Perspectives

Insights on Market Impact of Presidential Elections

With the U.S. set to choose its next President in less than two weeks, we want to share our views on portfolio positioning as we look ahead to the election.

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

Volatility unfolded in the third quarter as investors parsed through economic data attempting to gauge whether the economy will slow and how much the Federal Reserve would need to lower interest rates to prevent a recession. Toward the end of September, the Fed opted for a shift in policy and reduced the Fed Funds rate by a half percentage point.

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Summer 2024

Our Insight Newsletter is now available. Included in this edition: Investment Commentary Our Thoughts on recent market volatility And More View the Newsletter.

Investment Perspectives

Insights on Recent Stock Market Volatility

Stock markets hit record highs during the middle of July, with the U.S. large cap index (the S&P 500) reaching a record high on July 16th. Since then, volatility spiked and the S&P 500 fell 8.5% from that high through August 5th. In this post we share our thoughts on what’s driving this surge in volatility and our view looking ahead.

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

During the second quarter, the U.S. economy stayed resilient in an environment where inflation and interest rates remained higher than expected. Tighter monetary policy was offset by accommodative fiscal policy and still-strong U.S. consumers. U.S. stocks continued to hit new highs, as economic growth benefited corporate earnings, and the stock market remains concentrated with the “Magnificent Seven” representing over 25% of the S&P 500. Recession fears haven’t completely abated, however, and the second half of the year could see pockets of volatility given headline risks related to Fed policy, geopolitical events, and the upcoming election.

Investment Perspectives

Research Update: Drivers of Equity Returns Likely to Shift Going Forward

Predicting stock market returns is famously difficult. We know stocks provide gains from dividends, earnings growth, and increasing valuations, but it's challenging to anticipate how these variables will interplay. What we can identify and analyze are the broader macroeconomic headwinds and tailwinds that impact these variables. In this post we review the multiple drivers of equity returns and cover an analysis of how changes in the overall global economic environment influence our expectations going forward.

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

During the first three months of 2024, the U.S. economy remained resilient, the labor market robust, and corporate earnings were stronger-than-anticipated. These factors contributed to broad optimism for a “soft-landing" economic scenario and supported growth in the stock market. At the same time, concerns about investor complacency are increasing, and all eyes continued to be on the Federal Reserve in anticipation of potential rate cuts in 2024.

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Winter 2024

The latest Insight Newsletter is now available. Included is a summary of our latest investment commentary, our thoughts on the impact of the stock market’s “Magnificent Seven”, plus team announcements and other news we are proud to share!

Wealth Planning

Our Team is Prepared for the Gender Wealth Shift

Many leading companies have started to shift gears by offering new products, hiring more female advisors, and launching financial literacy and community outreach events. At Litman Gregory Wealth Management, we're ahead of the curve, with women making up 50% of our team.

Investment Perspectives

Fourth Quarter 2023 Investment Commentary

As 2023 unfolded, global stock and bond markets ignored widespread expectations of a U.S. recession and surprised forecasters by shaking off a host of uncertainties to post strong gains for the year. This was a welcome rebound after a very difficult 2022, where high inflation made the Fed decide to raise interest rates sharply which led to negative returns for virtually all traditional investments. In this commentary we cover what led to the 2023 returns, as well as our outlook and strategy as we look ahead in 2024.

News & Updates

Year End Wishes from Litman Gregory Wealth Management

In reflecting on the events of 2023, we witnessed a positive turn in the financial markets as investors anticipated the possibility of a “soft landing” for the U.S. economy, but we were also disheartened by numerous worldwide conflicts. As we balance these experiences, we are grateful for our business and client relationships, and more than ever we are encouraged to be of service and give back to our community.

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Endowments & Foundations

A Decade Past, the Decade to Come

The last decade has seen U.S. stocks significantly outperform non-U.S. stocks, large caps outperform small caps, and growth strongly outperform value. And while the dominance of these trends has been unrelenting, we have already begun to see the last decade’s major market trends starting to reverse. In this post, we look back on the last 10 years and consider what to expect as investors over the next 10. With an understanding that markets move in long cycles, our research leads us to tilt in contrarian ways toward what has not worked since the market’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis.

Investment Perspectives

Insights on Market Impact of Presidential Elections

With the U.S. set to choose its next President in less than two weeks, we want to share our views on portfolio positioning as we look ahead to the election.

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Summer 2024

Our Insight Newsletter is now available. Included in this edition: Investment Commentary Our Thoughts on recent market volatility And More View the Newsletter.

Investment Perspectives

Insights on Recent Stock Market Volatility

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

Research Update: Drivers of Equity Returns Likely to Shift Going Forward

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2024 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Winter 2024

Investment Perspectives

Fourth Quarter 2023 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

What We Can Learn from the “Magnificent Seven”

A small group of stocks have been nicknamed by the financial media in recognition of their dominant performance and resulting outsized weighting within the in market indexes. In this post we share a few interesting observations about the impact of the Magnificent Seven and how this market trend influences our portfolio management decisions.

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Fall 2023

The latest Insight Newsletter is now available. Included is a summary of our latest investment commentary, yearend tax planning tips, plus team announcements and other news we are proud to share!

Investment Perspectives

Replay: Litman Gregory Client Symposium

iMGP Chief Investment Officer U.S. Jack Chee and iMGP Global Chief Investment Officer Philippe Uzan and Senior Advisor Craig Keller cover questions about U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, and analysis of the global equity markets and fixed income opportunities.

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News & Updates

Cybersecurity Reminder

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Winter 2024

News & Updates

Year End Wishes from Litman Gregory Wealth Management

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Fall 2023

The latest Insight Newsletter is now available. Included is a summary of our latest investment commentary, yearend tax planning tips, plus team announcements and other news we are proud to share!

News & Updates

Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Protecting Against Imposter Scams

Cybercrime continues to be on the rise, making it more important than ever to remain vigilant and take steps to protect your confidential information and data. Given that the most commonly reported fraud is currently “Imposter scams”, we focused this post on some tips for how to identify these fraud attempts and what you can do to safeguard your personal and financial information.

News & Updates

Reaction to Conflict in Israel and the Middle East

We are devastated by the extraordinary violence and atrocities unfolding in Israel and the Middle East, and we know these events are directly impacting members of our employee and client communities who have personal connections.

News & Updates

Research Team Changes

After 24 years with Litman Gregory/iMGP FM, Jeremy DeGroot stepped down from his role as CIO, Asset Management U.S. We are pleased to announce that 23-year veteran Jack Chee, previously Director – Portfolio Management and Head of Fixed Income Strategies at iMGP FM, has taken on the U.S. CIO – Asset Management role.

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Summer 2023

Our Insight Newsletter is now available. Included in this edition: Investment Commentary Gauging the Odds of a Recession Wealth Management Team Updates View

News & Updates

Wedgewood Partner’s Private Client Team Joins Litman Gregory Wealth Management

We are pleased to announce that the St. Louis-based private client advisory business of Wedgewood Partners Inc. (WPI) has joined Litman Gregory Wealth Management.

Investment Perspectives

Insight Newsletter—Spring 2023

Read our latest Insight Newsletter. Included is a summary of our latest investment commentary, an update on the state of the banking industry, and team announcements we are proud to share!

News & Updates

Our Larkspur Office is Moving – Next Door!

Effective May 30th, we will relocate into a beautifully renovated suite designed with more space for hosting visitors and collaboration among team members. We look forward to welcoming our clients and friends of the firm in this new office.

News & Updates

Schwab Account Owners Targeted in New Phishing Scam

Charles Schwab sent out an alert that their account owners have recently become the target of a sophisticated phishing scam in an attempt by fraudsters to gain access to their assets and other sensitive data. In this post, we share the details about this scam that account owners should look out for and ways that you can protect yourself from this and other fraud attempts.

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Wealth Planning

Our Team is Prepared for the Gender Wealth Shift

Wealth Planning

Charitable Gifting Strategies for Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday shines a light on philanthropic efforts and serves as a reminder to give to the causes and organizations that mean the most to you. We aim to help our clients define their charitable goals and build a plan that maximizes the impact of their giving, while optimizing their tax situation. In this post, we highlight strategies to help guide your giving this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Wealth Planning

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Yearend Tax Planning Season

With just a few months left in the 2023 tax year, we wanted to highlight some timeless tax planning techniques. In this post we share some of the strategies that Litman Gregory Wealth Management considers as we help our clients optimize the tax-efficiency of their overall planning as well as our portfolio management on their behalf throughout the tax year.

Wealth Planning

Unpacking the Benefits of Property & Casualty Insurance

A regular review of the insurance that covers your property and general liability, before you need it, is an important step in protecting your financial assets. In this post, we review some of the topics that are beneficial to discuss with your advisor and property/casualty insurance professional.

Wealth Planning

Tax Planning Opportunities from the SECURE Act 2.0

The SECURE Act 2.0 was passed at the end of 2022 and expanded on the Secure Act of 2019 to give individuals even more opportunities to save for retirement. In this post we highlight some key changes resulting from the new legislation as well as other notable tax changes for 2023.

Wealth Planning

‘Tis the Season for Giving: Charitable Gift Planning

Giving Tuesday – a global day of philanthropy – is a fitting time to consider your charitable goals and how to maximize your impact on the causes and organizations most important to you. In this post, we share strategies that we find helpful in planning discussions with our clients, including how to engage your next generation in philanthropic giving.

Wealth Planning

Planning for One Thing That’s Certain: Taxes

With just a few months left in a year full of uncertainties, we wanted to share some timeless planning techniques for one of the year’s certainties: Taxes. This post covers strategies that Litman Gregory Wealth Management considers as we help our clients optimize the tax-efficiency of their overall planning as well as our portfolio management throughout the tax year.

Wealth Planning

3 Tips for Protecting Yourself Against Cybersecurity Risks

Cybercrime is still on the rise, so it’s more important than ever to take steps to combat cybercrime and protect confidential information and data. Here at Litman Gregory we implement practices to ensure that our clients’ data is secure, and we encourage clients and their families to take appropriate steps to protect their information. In this post, we share tips on how to safeguard your financial information and how to spot cyber fraud attempts.

Wealth Planning

Living in a Higher Inflation World

Still a dominant theme in the financial media, the return of high inflation is not likely to prove transitory, as many had hoped early on. In this piece, we review the macroeconomic causes, outlook and investment impact of higher inflation along with the impact that it has on our individual financial lives including savings, investing and achieving one’s financial goals.

News & Updates

Incorporating “Giving Tuesday” and End-of-Year Donations into Your Philanthropic Plan

Giving Tuesday shines a light on philanthropy and encourages you to maximize your impact on the causes and organizations most important to you. In this post, we share the tips and strategies that we find useful in our philanthropic planning with clients.

Wealth Planning

Replay: 2021 Year-End Wealth Planning Webinar

This time of year presents an opportunity to check in on your financial goals and revisit the strategies that best position you for year-end and the coming year. In this replay, Litman Gregory Senior Advisors cover a variety of important financial planning topics to guide your planning, including tax strategies and estate planning.

Wealth Planning

Tax Planning for All Seasons

While we await final details of the “human infrastructure” spending bill and any incorporated tax law changes, we share some timeless tax planning techniques and ways that we seek to optimize the tax-efficiency of our client portfolios during the tax year.

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