Fall 2023 Client Update

When you see Compagnie de L’Odet on your statement, think “UMG at a discount.” And when you think of UMG, think “A royalty on global music consumption.” When people listen to a song, the artists and UMG are paid. It is an incredibly resilient and profitable business with a nice growth tailwind because of global smartphone proliferation and growth in subscriptions to streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Amazon, Pandora, Soundcloud, Tencent, etc. that offer unlimited listening of almost every song ever recorded for a modest monthly fee or free with advertisements.

Spring 2023 Client Update

Berkshire Hathaway Revisited. Berkshire Hathaway remains our largest individual holding (10-15%) outside of index funds in the Capital Appreciation and Outright Capital Appreciation portfolios and I’d like to provide an overview of the company so you can understand why we own it in size.  If you prefer the one-minute version, read the “reasons to own” below and skip to the planning section on page 11.

2022 Client Letter

The “Outright Capital Appreciation”, “Capital Appreciation”, and “Moderate Capital Appreciation” portfolios averaged -7.8%, -1.8%, and -5.0%. I expect our relative returns to do well in a down year for the indexes and lag in an up year for the indexes, but I’m still pleased by the amount of our relative outperformance.

Summer 2022 Client Update

Here’s some more detail on the down market that you’ve probably been hearing about. Through June 30, 2022, the total returns of large cap equity indexes in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets were down -19.9%[1], -18.9%[2], and -14.9%[3], respectively.

Client Update Spring 2021

Dear Clients and Friends, I hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and doing well. As the uncertainty caused by the pandemic and other factors continues, I wanted to keep you updated on our latest thinking.

Making Side Income? Maximize Contributions with the Solo 401(K)

The ​Solo 401(K) is ideal for people who have self-employment income and would like to contribute more than 20% of their income.  Unlike the SEP IRA, the Solo 401(k) allows “employee-side” contributions ($19,500) in addition to “employer-side contributions,” which are limited to 20% of net income.  The overall limit is the same ($58,000), but if net income is less than $303,000, the Solo 401(K) will result in higher contributions and deductions.  

Client Update 2020

Dear clients, I hope this update finds you and your family healthy and eager for the coming new year. Below is a list of notable planning items and reminders for the 2020 tax year.