Insight Blog | Litman Gregory Asset Management

Insight

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.

Insight

Litman Gregory Joins iM Global Partner

We would like to share some important and exciting news about our company’s future. After much due diligence and careful thought, the firm’s principals and founders have decided to take a significant step toward growing our resources and ensuring our ability to excel for generations to come by joining iM Global Partner, a privately held global investment services firm.

Insight

Chris Wheaton & Gretchen Hollstein Named as 2021 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors

We are thrilled to share that Litman Gregory Senior Advisors Chris Wheaton and Gretchen Hollstein have been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List for 2021.

Insight

Cryptocurrency Speculation: A Case of FOMO? (Fear of Missing Out)

Cryptocurrencies were back in the headlines throughout 2020 and into 2021, and some investors have found themselves wondering whether this type of investment deserves a role in portfolio construction. Our Research Team addresses the question, “Where do cryptocurrencies fit in?” and describes our approach to analyzing this type of investment.

Insight

Bitcoin’s Investment Merit

Litman Gregory's Research Team offers an update on this alternative investment option, encouraging investors to be cautious about buying cryptocurrencies. The team reviews the three broad elements in how we assess this investment: the underlying fundamentals and risks, Bitcoin’s price performance profile, and the behavioral aspects of owning bitcoin.

Insight

Replay: 2021 Market Outlook Webinar

In this replay of our Market Outlook Webinar, Litman Gregory's CIO Jeremy DeGroot and Senior Advisor Gretchen Hollstein address client questions on the economy, financial markets, and our portfolio management process, and discuss the key risks and opportunities for investors in the year ahead.

Insight

The Anticipatory Nature of Markets

It seems that regardless of the news, investors remain bullish. The collective market wisdom is that the pandemic and our economic troubles will resolve without lasting damage. In this post, we explore the continued disconnect between stock markets and the real world, and the importance of constructing portfolios resilient to both upside and downside scenarios.

Insight

Insight Newsletter—Fourth Quarter 2020

The latest Insight Newsletter is now available. Included in this quarter's updates are our investment commentary, year-end reflections, a write-up on the disconnect between stock markets and the real world, and other news from Litman Gregory.

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—Year-End 2020

Very few (if any) market observers would have predicted a strong market outcome in early 2020, with pandemic fears rampant and the global economy falling off a cliff. But global stocks ended the year at all-time highs with a 16% gain. At Litman Gregory, we “stayed the course” during the volatility, and it proved prescient once again. In this post, we summarize key takeaways from our full year-end investment commentary, offering an overview of financial market performance and our outlook for the months ahead.

Insight

Commentary from Our CIO—Year-End 2020

In this year-end commentary, CIO Jeremy DeGroot reflects on the recent challenging and turbulent year and lays out our investment outlook for 2021 and beyond. The strong full-year market returns masked the incredible volatility and stress investors faced earlier in the year. While many risks remain, the early stages of vaccine distributions and economic stimulus are providing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Insight

Alice Lowenstein Earns CSRIC™, Sustainable, Responsible & Impact Investing Designation

We are pleased to share that Managing Director Alice Lowenstein has obtained the Chartered SRI Counselor designation, the first major financial credential dedicated specifically to sustainable, responsible and impact investing. This designation demonstrates Alice’s knowledge of SRI principles and best practices.

Insight

Year-End Reflections

As 2020 comes to a close, we join in the enthusiastic farewells to this truly unique year, and also reflect on what we achieved with our clients through it all. Our colleagues worked against the grim tide of news and unprecedented events to support one another, discover our resilience, and ultimately deliver on our ongoing commitment to our clients.

1 2 3 … 9 Next »

Insight

A Decade Past, the Decade to Come

Insight

Endowments & Foundations: Good Governance as a Foundation for Success

In addition to acting as our institutional clients’ Outsourced CIO, we partner with their boards and investment committees to help identify and resolve governance issues and implement best practices. Creating strong leadership, a well-designed committee, and good processes maximizes the probability of an endowment or foundation delivering on its mission and helps to set up our clients for better portfolio performance.

Insight

Endowments & Foundations: The Value of an Experienced, Accountable Fiduciary Partner

With over thirty years of experience with nonprofits, we oversee all aspects of an organization’s investment portfolio and provide continuous advice to board members on issues that can impact its success. In this post, we give an overview of what our team can do to support the challenges facing endowments and foundations in today’s environment.

Insight

Why is the Market Going Up When Economic News Looks Grim?

Our clients, and investors broadly, have been asking this important question: How do we reconcile the recent stock market gains, particularly in the United States, with the poor state of the current economy and the weak outlook? In this post, we explain the variables that impact investor behavior and respond to why financial markets can rally in the face of negative news.

Insight

Stay the Course: There’s a Cost to Timing the Market

In a volatile environment like the one we find ourselves in today, many investors are eager to act. While tempting, market timing involves getting two nearly impossible decisions right: when to sell and when to get back in. We remind our clients to stay invested, stay disciplined, and prudently take advantage of opportunities.

Insight

Bond Market Turbulence: The Fed Steps In

We have seen extraordinary turbulence across the bond market triggered by growing uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of the pandemic. Bond prices in many areas indicate the potential for strong long-term returns from here.

Insight

Negative Rates: Coming to the United States?

In some parts of the world, interest rates have been negative, or mostly negative, for some time now. Amid fears of a deep recession caused by COVID-19, many global interest rates have dipped even lower. With most short-term U.S. interest rates close to zero now, can negative rates come to the U.S.?

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—First Quarter 2020

The first quarter of 2020 has been an extraordinary period in U.S. financial market history across numerous dimensions. In this post, we summarize key takeaways from the longer commentary including market reactions, outlook on a recession, and investment opportunities presented as we look ahead.

Insight

Commentary from Our CIO—First Quarter 2020 Review & Outlook

We are living through a period in history none of us will ever forget, with unprecedented market volatility and global reaction to a viral pandemic. In this quarter’s commentary, CIO Jeremy DeGroot discusses the factors affecting financial markets today, key drivers going forward, and more.

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—Year-End 2019

In 2019, almost all major financial asset classes were positive, a shift from 2018 where just about every asset class faltered. And atypically, both stocks and bonds appreciated strongly with the key driver being the Federal Reserve’s policy U-turn toward accommodative monetary policy.

Insight

Commentary from Our CIO—2019 Review & Outlook

While there are a number of reasons to be cautiously optimistic for the financial markets in 2020, we are also weighing a number of short-term risks, including high stock valuations. In the face of the current level of uncertainty, it’s helpful for investors to maintain a balanced mindset and to know that our portfolios are prepared for a variety of market environments.

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—Third Quarter 2019

Out of the current tug of war between U.S. trade policy and global monetary policy, we see two widely divergent, if not binary, possible market outcomes—a recessionary event or a cyclical rebound. Our client portfolios should be resilient in either scenario.

1 2 Next »

Insight

Cryptocurrency Speculation: A Case of FOMO? (Fear of Missing Out)

Insight

Bitcoin’s Investment Merit

Insight

Replay: 2021 Market Outlook Webinar

Insight

The Anticipatory Nature of Markets

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—Year-End 2020

Insight

Commentary from Our CIO—Year-End 2020

Insight

The Market Reacts to the Election

This year’s election results arrived later than usual, but the U.S. stock market had its best post-election day since 1952. With some election uncertainty remaining, COVID-19 cases on the rise, and an economic recovery slowing, this has led to some confusion about the market reaction and what lies ahead. As always, we emphasize the importance of having a healthy level of respect for the unpredictable nature of the markets over the short term.

Insight

Replay: Market Update Webinar

In this replay of our Market Update Webinar, Chief Investment Officer Jeremy DeGroot answers questions we’ve been receiving from clients on the economy and financial markets. He also provides an overview of how Litman Gregory is navigating the potential impact of the upcoming election and the turbulence surrounding the pandemic.

Insight

How We Think About Elections & Investment Decisions

Each time a U.S. presidential election approaches, we revisit with clients our views about the impact on our investment outlook and portfolio positioning. Here is a quick review of how we think about elections in general within the context of our overall investment approach.

Insight

Insight Newsletter—Third Quarter 2020

The latest Insight Newsletter is now available. Included in this quarter's updates are tax planning opportunities in 2020, how we think about elections and investment decisions, and our quarterly letter to clients.

Insight

Investment Key Takeaways—Third Quarter 2020

Despite some choppiness in September, equity investors were treated to solid gains during the third quarter. In this post we summarize key takeaways from the longer investment commentary, including outcomes and opportunities by asset class, and the potential risks and uncertainties we expect to face as we approach year end.

Insight

Commentary from Our CIO—Third Quarter 2020

As is typically the case, our market crystal ball is foggy, with multiple crosscurrents and uncertainties presenting both investment risks and opportunities, near term and medium to longer term. Our CIO highlights some key reasons for caution, as well as optimism, and reviews Litman Gregory’s portfolio positioning.

1 2 3 4 Next »

Insight

Litman Gregory Joins iM Global Partner

Insight

Chris Wheaton & Gretchen Hollstein Named as 2021 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors

We are thrilled to share that Litman Gregory Senior Advisors Chris Wheaton and Gretchen Hollstein have been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors List for 2021.

Insight

Replay: 2021 Market Outlook Webinar

Insight

Insight Newsletter—Fourth Quarter 2020

Insight

Alice Lowenstein Earns CSRIC™, Sustainable, Responsible & Impact Investing Designation

Insight

Year-End Reflections

Insight

Barron’s Article Featuring Gretchen Hollstein: 5 Tax Moves to Consider for an Unusual Year

Litman Gregory Senior Advisor Gretchen Hollstein was quoted in this recent Barron’s article, which offered ideas to consider before year-end. She describes some common planning strategies we utilize with clients, such as considering Roth IRA conversions and managing IRA required distributions in a unique tax year.

Insight

A “Wealth Advisor Mom” Reflects on Advising & Parenting in a Pandemic

In a year when the demands on parents and advisors have both increased in intensity, we are pleased to announce that Gretchen Hollstein, CFP^® was recognized again as one of the Top Wealth Advisor Moms for 2020 by Working Mother. Gretchen reflects on the challenge of parenting kids in remote learning while working as a wealth advisor, and her gratitude for being able to continue serving clients during this volatile time.

Insight

Announcement: Our Larkspur Office is Moving

Effective November 1, our office in Larkspur will be relocated just a short walk down the street. We look forward to welcoming you to our new location as soon as it is safe to do so!

Insight

Insight Newsletter—Third Quarter 2020

Insight

Gretchen Hollstein Featured in Barron’s “How to Invest for a Post-COVID World”

Senior Advisor Gretchen Hollstein, CFP® was highlighted in a recent Barron’s article, which featured a select group of investment professionals responding to how they are modifying clients’ portfolios given the current environment.

Insight

Advisor Showcase: Guiding Clients Through Pandemic-Driven Uncertainty

Litman Gregory’s senior advisors were featured in North Bay Business Journal’s report on wealth managers. The survey posed questions about the impact of COVID-19 on client relationships, common mistakes investors make in times of great uncertainty, and more. In this post, we share a selection of responses from members of our advisory team.

1 2 3 4 Next »

Insight

Insight Newsletter—Fourth Quarter 2020

Insight

Barron’s Article Featuring Gretchen Hollstein: 5 Tax Moves to Consider for an Unusual Year

Insight

Replay: Year-End Planning Webinar

Litman Gregory Senior Advisors Chris Wheaton and Gretchen Hollstein host this client webinar to cover some timely tax and estate planning considerations, and also share ideas for optimizing charitable gifts as we enter the year-end season.

Insight

Tax Planning Opportunities in 2020

As part of our tax sensitivity in managing investment portfolios, we regularly look for opportunities to maximize after-tax portfolio returns. We also help clients identify where it makes sense to take advantage of the changes enacted by the SECURE and CARES Acts. Here we share some tips on how to utilize a variety of techniques in our client portfolios.

Insight

How We Think About Elections & Investment Decisions

Insight

A Sustainable Investing Lexicon

From its origin in socially responsible and values-based strategies, sustainable investing today offers a broad universe of options that help pair investment goals with positive outcomes for society and the planet. With more tools than ever to support our clients in building sustainability into their investments, we want to share our thinking on this evolving space. A good place to start is simply defining terms.

Insight

Taking Action in a Time of Uncertainty

In our role as wealth advisor, we take seriously our responsibility to help guide thoughtful decision making and wise action. Although we face much uncertainty in the current environment, there are a number of steps we can confidently take to create positive financial impact. We review seven of the more common actions we are recommending to our clients today.

Insight

Market Update: Separating Emotion from Action

We recognize the recent market volatility and the continued spread of the coronavirus is highly unnerving and even frightening. Litman Gregory is prepared from a business standpoint and is ready to act with informed conviction to potentially add long-term value to our clients’ portfolios.

Insight

An Update from Our CIO on the Coronavirus

Chief Investment Officer Jeremy DeGroot shares his thoughts on how the Coronavirus outbreak might impact global economies and investment opportunities in the short and longer term.

Insight

Replay: Litman Gregory’s 2020 Outlook Webinar

Watch the replay of Litman Gregory's 2020 Outlook Webinar for an update on the current market environment, tax planning strategies related to the SECURE Act, our evolving work on “sustainable investing” strategies, and more.

Insight

Navigating New Tax Planning Opportunities with the SECURE Act of 2019

As the new year unfolds, we find ourselves with numerous wealth planning opportunities based on tax law updates within the recently passed “SECURE Act of 2019”. This is seen as the first major retirement savings law in many years.

Insight

A Giving Plan 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 most to you. We help our clients define their charitable goals and build a plan that maximizes the impact of their giving, while optimizing their tax situation.

1 2 3 Next »