Insight Blog | Litman Gregory Wealth Management

Wealth Planning

Building a Structure for Your Philanthropic Giving

In our work with clients around philanthropic planning, we are often asked about the benefits of choosing to implement charitable giving through a donor-advised fund account or a private foundation. Each solution offers advantages, with one providing more operational support and flexibility, and the other offering a greater amount of control. The ultimate decision of which vehicle to use depends entirely on the donor’s unique situation, preferences, and goals. In this post we cover some of the important considerations in this decision.

3 days ago

Investment Perspectives

Market Insights: Cautious Optimism Amid Policy Uncertainty

Equity markets extended their gains in October, supported by solid corporate earnings and optimism around the Federal Reserve’s measured policy shift. While risks remain, we believe the backdrop continues to reflect steady growth and strong fundamentals. Diversification remains an important tool for navigating an evolving investment landscape. In this post, we review the market’s ongoing confidence in a potential soft landing, the evolving impact of artificial intelligence on valuations, and what the recent U.S.–China trade truce may mean for investors.

Wealth Planning

Smarter Scams, Sharper Defenses: Cybersecurity in 2025

October is “Cybersecurity Awareness Month”—a timely reminder that safeguarding wealth goes beyond market cycles and managing investments. As fraud attempts grow increasingly sophisticated, even the most vigilant can become a target. Fraudsters have become more sophisticated, using polished emails, spoofed calls, and even messages that appear to come from trusted advisors. In this post, we share how cybercrime has evolved, the tactics to watch out for, and the steps you can take to keep your accounts and personal information safe.

News & Updates

Litman Gregory Wealth Management Named to Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top RIA Firms List

We’re honored to share that Litman Gregory Wealth Management has been named to Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Top RIA Firms. A heartfelt thank you to our clients for their trust and to our team for their continued dedication to helping our clients achieve financial peace of mind.

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Global stock markets continued to rise during the third quarter, appearing to shrug off concerns over tariffs and a looming government shutdown, to end the quarter near all-time highs. We enter the final quarter of the year seeing both opportunity and uncertainty. This is a time when discipline is especially important. We continue to maintain diversified portfolios, balancing risk and opportunities, and positioning to benefit from long-term secular trends while staying alert to evolving macro and policy risks.

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Markets continued to rise in the third quarter, supported by resilient corporate earnings, a strong consumer, and a more accommodative Federal Reserve. Yet, beneath the surface, crosscurrents remain—slowing growth, elevated valuations, and policy uncertainty. In this quarter’s commentary, we explore recent market performance, the Fed’s renewed easing cycle, valuation context, and how we’re positioning portfolios for a cautiously constructive backdrop.

Investment Perspectives

U.S. Government Shutdown: What it Could Mean for the Economy and Markets

The U.S. government has entered its first shutdown since 2019, raising questions about economic and market impacts. While shutdowns have historically been short-lived and markets have generally weathered them well, the current environment of mixed economic signals and Fed policy shifts makes the situation more complex. In our latest blog, we break down what this shutdown could mean for growth, interest rates, and portfolio positioning.

Investment Perspectives

Mid-Year Market & Economic Update

As we move into the second half of the year, the market environment is experiencing continued reactivity and lingering uncertainties. In this post we offer a review of economic and market developments year to date and our perspective looking ahead, including the influence from key factors such as tariffs, inflation, labor trends, consumer spending, and the U.S. dollar.

Wealth Planning

New Tax Legislation: Key Changes You Need to Know

The new tax legislation, named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was signed into law—bringing with it the most significant tax and budget changes since 2017. The legislation introduces a range of provisions that may impact financial planning strategies starting this year. In this post, we review the key tax changes affecting individuals, families, and business owners—highlighting what’s new, what’s phasing out, and what we plan to consider with clients before year-end.

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

In the second quarter, global markets faced a complex mix of encouraging economic data, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving central bank policies. Nonetheless, stocks had a strong quarter, and bonds were generally up as well.

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Global markets delivered strong gains in the second quarter of 2025, with U.S. and international equities hitting new highs despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and monetary policy uncertainty. In our latest investment commentary, we share our perspective on what’s driving equity and bond markets, the evolving inflation outlook, and how we’re positioning portfolios amid signs of economic slowing and potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts ahead.

Wealth Planning

Recognizing Elder Abuse: A Financial Perspective on Protecting Seniors

Each June, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day brings needed attention to a critical but often overlooked issue: the financial mistreatment of older adults. We believe that protecting our clients' financial well-being includes helping them and their families guard against this risk. In this post, we explore how financial abuse can manifest, what warning signs to watch for, and key steps to take that can make a difference. By having conversations now and implementing some useful proactive strategies we can all help preserve autonomy and peace of mind for the seniors in our lives.

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Investment Perspectives

Market Insights: Cautious Optimism Amid Policy Uncertainty

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

U.S. Government Shutdown: What it Could Mean for the Economy and Markets

Investment Perspectives

Mid-Year Market & Economic Update

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

Update on the Markets: A Shift in Bond Yields

After a choppy start to the year, U.S. stocks rebounded in May—especially in the tech sector—and so did bond yields. This shift in the bond market seemed to be sparked by renewed fiscal concerns, creating fresh challenges and opportunities. In this update, we review the stock market’s recent rebound, the implications we see to the bond market from the U.S. credit downgrade, and adjustments we are making in portfolios. As we look to the second half of the year, we are focused on diversification and risk management amid persistent uncertainty.

Investment Perspectives

Turning Points in 2025: Global Markets and the U.S. Dollar

The first five months of 2025 have included a whirlwind of announcements and volatility in the financial markets, with a clear reminder of how quickly markets can turn. After the April 2nd “Liberation Day” announcement of high tariffs, the S&P 500 endured a steep decline, but after pauses were announced the market staged an impressive recovery. As of mid-late May, the S&P 500 is slightly positive year-to-date. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has not recovered from the negative impact of expectations for a trade war. In this post we cover reasons behind the turning points experienced so far this year in financial markets and the U.S. dollar.

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

In this condensed summary of our quarterly investment commentary, we cover a review of the markets, which were tested in the first months of 2025 as tariff announcements and renewed trade tensions sparked a sharp pullback in U.S. stocks. Despite the headlines, not all areas of the market moved in unison—foreign stocks and high-quality bonds posted gains, reinforcing the value of a diversified approach. This summary also covers the evolving impact of global trade policy, implications for inflation and Federal Reserve policy, and why staying disciplined during times of uncertainty is key to long-term success.

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Markets were tested in these first months of 2025, as tariff announcements and renewed trade tensions sparked a sharp pullback in U.S. stocks. Despite the headlines, not all areas of the market moved in unison—foreign stocks and high-quality bonds posted gains, reinforcing the value of a diversified approach. In this quarter’s commentary, we explore the evolving impact of global trade policy, the implications for inflation and Federal Reserve policy, and why staying disciplined during times of uncertainty is key to long-term success.

Investment Perspectives

“Liberation Day” Volatility

President Trump shocked global investors on April 2 by announcing a comprehensive set of much higher than expected tariffs. In response to Trump’s announcement, global equity markets suffered sharp declines. In this post we review the announcements, reactions, and our expectations going forward. Please note that we also plan to cover the events and impacts of “Liberation Day” in more detail within our upcoming First Quarter Investment Commentary.

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Investment Perspectives

Market Insights: Cautious Optimism Amid Policy Uncertainty

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Investment Perspectives

Third Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

U.S. Government Shutdown: What it Could Mean for the Economy and Markets

Investment Perspectives

Mid-Year Market & Economic Update

Wealth Planning

New Tax Legislation: Key Changes You Need to Know

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Investment Perspectives

Second Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

Investment Perspectives

Update on the Markets: A Shift in Bond Yields

Investment Perspectives

Turning Points in 2025: Global Markets and the U.S. Dollar

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2025 Recap: Investment Commentary Summary

Investment Perspectives

First Quarter 2025 Investment Commentary

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News & Updates

Litman Gregory Wealth Management Named to Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top RIA Firms List

News & Updates

Litman Gregory Wealth Management Advisors Named to Forbes 2025 Lists

We are proud to announce that members of our advisory team have been named again to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors lists for 2025. We would like to thank our clients, as it's your trust that makes this recognition possible.

Wealth Planning

Recognizing the Women in Our Firm on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, we proudly shine a light on the many women at Litman Gregory Wealth Management who collectively represent 64% of our firm. Their expertise and leadership bring invaluable insights and guidance to our internal teams as well as our wealth management clients. As women in the U.S. are poised to control an increasingly significant share of financial assets in the coming years, we know the wealth management industry must evolve to meet their needs. This just reaffirms our commitment to shaping a more client-focused approach to wealth management.

News & Updates

Reflections at Year-End from Litman Gregory Wealth Management

As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of the past year and pause to extend our gratitude for the trust our clients place in us to help them achieve financial peace of mind and fulfill their philanthropic goals this time of year. It is with inspiration from our clients that our team focuses on remaining rooted in our communities and we highlight our firm’s support of local charities who are doing the work to make an impact.

News & Updates

Litman Gregory Wealth Management Named on Forbes’ 2024 America’s Top RIA Firms List

We are pleased to share that Litman Gregory Wealth Management has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top RIA Firms of 2024. This year’s list spotlights 250 registered investment advisory firms with strong track records of guiding clients’ wealth management for the long term.

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

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!

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.

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.

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Wealth Planning

Building a Structure for Your Philanthropic Giving

3 days ago

Wealth Planning

Smarter Scams, Sharper Defenses: Cybersecurity in 2025

Wealth Planning

New Tax Legislation: Key Changes You Need to Know

Wealth Planning

Recognizing Elder Abuse: A Financial Perspective on Protecting Seniors

Wealth Planning

Strategic Education Funding: Saving Smarter for the Next Generation

When it comes to saving for a child or grandchild’s education, it’s about more than just covering tuition—it’s about creating a flexible, tax-efficient strategy that fits into your broader wealth plan. In this post, we break down the pros and cons of different education savings options, such as 529 plans, custodial accounts, and irrevocable trusts. Whether it is for a new plan or refining an existing plan, we support and guide our clients to make informed, strategic decisions.

Wealth Planning

Recognizing the Women in Our Firm on International Women’s Day

Wealth Planning

Tips & Reminders for Your Tax Reporting

With tax reporting deadlines looming, we are already working with our clients to support their effort to gather and report pertinent tax information about their investments. Since we do this work every year, we wanted to share some key reminders and tips to keep in mind that we believe will help prepare for a smooth tax filing process.

Insight

Building Financial Health: Small Steps for a Big Impact

As we start the new year, we are looking for ways to help clients create a stronger financial foundation. In this post, we explore key financial resolutions that help pave the path to long-term success for both those just starting out on their financial journey and those looking to pass on smart money habits to their next generation. What we have learned is that small, consistent steps can lead to big financial transformations.

Wealth Planning

Timely Tax Planning Techniques for 2024

With less than a month left in the 2024 tax year, we wanted to highlight timeless tax planning techniques that can help reduce taxes and potentially improve after-tax investment returns. In this post we share some of the strategies that our advisory team considers as we help clients optimize the tax-efficiency of their overall planning in addition to our portfolio management on their behalf throughout the tax year.

Wealth Planning

The Season of Philanthropy Starts on Giving Tuesday

As Thanksgiving nears, so then does Giving Tuesday – a day focused on charitable giving and a fitting time to consider your philanthropic goals and review your giving plan. In this post we cover different ways you can optimize your charitable giving to support organizations that are important to you.

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.

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.

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