4 Sept 2025
Priced For Perfection
The U.S. stock market is priced for perfection. Gold and the S&P 500 have reached all-time highs. Interest rates are likely to be cut this month, the employment picture looks to be weakening and tariff policy remains in flux.
In this episode of The Native Angelino Podcast, I am joined by Adam Phillips, CFA of EP Wealth Advisors. We discuss equities, interest rates, gold, bitcoin, alternative investments and the current political climates impact on the Federal Reserve.
Will an interest rate cut stimulate the housing market? What about in cities like Los Angeles where residential real estate prices far exceed national averages?
Adam oversees portfolio strategy for his firm and provides insights on the current economic climate and outlook for the coming quarters.
Chapters
00:00 Intro - Market Volatility and Economic Uncertainty
00:20 The Taco Trade
01:30 Tariffs and Their Economic Impact
04:30 Interest Rates and Federal Reserve Dynamics
07:09 Gold's Rise and Market Sentiment
09:45 EP Wealth Advisors
12:00 Real Estate and Client Portfolios
14:10 Interest Rates and Consumer Behavior
16:13 Market Valuations and Economic Disparities
17:36 Government Intervention and Market Dynamics
21:32 Digital Assets and Bitcoin's Role
27:00 Alternative Investments and Market Trends
33:05 Current Economic Focus and Fed Independence
Summary - Priced For Perfection
In this conversation, Adam Phillips and Tom Levine discuss various economic factors affecting the market, including interest rates, Federal Reserve policies, tariff policy, gold as a safe haven, real estate investment strategies, and the impact of digital assets. They explore the current state of the economy, the challenges posed by inflation, and the implications of government intervention in the market. The discussion also highlights the differences in investment perspectives between older and younger generations, as well as the importance of financial planning in navigating these uncertain times. Takeaways Market volatility is influenced by economic uncertainty and government policies. Interest rates are a critical factor in shaping market dynamics and investor behavior. Gold is viewed as a safe haven amidst geopolitical risks and inflation concerns. Real estate remains a significant asset for many clients, especially in high-value areas. Alternative investments are gaining traction as a means to diversify portfolios. Lower interest rates could stimulate housing demand but may not significantly impact high-net-worth clients. Market valuations are currently high, raising concerns about potential downside risks. Government intervention in markets raises questions about the future of economic stability. Digital assets like Bitcoin are becoming more mainstream but remain highly speculative. Younger investors are more open to alternative investments compared to older generations.
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Conversations with strategists, technicians, and culture shapers.Smart insight from a Native Angelino perspective.
Adam Phillips, CFA®, CAIA, CFP®
Adam is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), and has been included on the Forbes NextGen Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2019 list. He is a member of the CFA Society of Los Angeles and the CFA Institute. Adam helps establish asset allocation strategy as a member of the EP Wealth Investment Committee, which supports all EP Wealth Advisors and their clients. He is a graduate of USC and earned his MBA at UCLA.
About Tom Lev ine
Tom Levine is a Native Angelino and graduate of USC Marshall School of Business, the Claremont Colleges, and spent a term at the London School of Economics.
Following a 25 year career in capital markets, Tom Levine founded Zero Hour Group (https://zerohour.la/) in 2014. The Los Angeles, California-based firm provides consulting, strategic analysis, valuation and real estate services. Serving individuals, family offices, institutions and professional investors.
Native Angelino Real Estate, (https://nativeangelino.com) established 2017, for residential, commercial and investment related transactions. Additionally, he is a broker and certified Short Sale and Forclosure specialist under the National Association of Realtors. (CADRE #2052698)
Native Angelino description found on iTunes (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/native-angelino-with-tom-levine/id1508276436):
“From a vantage point within sight of the Hollywood Sign, seated beneath a palm tree, Tom Levine takes you on a twisted, exploratory tour of popular thought, the upside-down theories of classical economics, politics, and other strange things.
Tom talks all things Los Angeles, bright new ideas, and complex topics of interest to creative thinkers and discerning skeptics.
L.A. locals state with pride, "You can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon." Well, if you get a really early start, it's true. Sometimes.
Los Angeles is the City of the Angels, and Tom Levine is a Native Angelino.
Neither the author, nor Native Angelino is a registered investment advisor, legal, tax professional or broker / dealer. All investment/ financial opinions expressed here are from the personal research, experience, and opinions of the owner of the site and are intended as educational material. Although best efforts are made to ensure that all information is accurate, occasionally unintended errors and misprints may occur. Do your Own Research please. Our content is for informational purposes only.
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