Homrich & Berg's Q2 vs. Q3 2021 13F Holdings Comparison: Analysis and Implications for Investors

Analyzing Homrich & Berg's Q2 2021 vs. Q3 2021 13F Holdings Comparison

Homrich & Berg is a registered investment advisory (RIA) firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides financial planning and investment management for individuals, families, and institutions. The firm recently disclosed its 13F holdings for Q2 2021 vs. Q3 2021, which are summarized in the table above. Let's analyze the changes in the holdings of the Homrich & Berg portfolio during this period and discuss the implications for investors.

1. Vanguard ETFs (VTI, VIG, VXUS, VOO, VEU, VUG): Homrich & Berg increased its holdings in several Vanguard ETFs between Q2 2021 and Q3 2021. The most significant increase was in Vanguard Star Funds (VXUS), which saw a 14.7% increase in the number of shares held, translating to a 14.5% increase in the value of the shares held. Similarly, Vanguard Index Funds (VTI, VOO, VUG) saw an average increase of 5.3% in the number of shares held and a 5.3% average increase in the value of these shares. Vanguard Int'l Equity Index Fund (VEU) saw a decrease by 3.3%, and Vanguard Specialized Funds (VIG) held steady with a 1.6% increase.

The Vanguard ETFs have become increasingly popular investment options for investors looking for broad market exposure with low costs. With the exception of VEU, all of the Vanguard ETFs held by Homrich & Berg increased in value during Q3 2021. This indicates that Homrich & Berg has strong confidence in the long-term growth potential of these funds and the underlying stocks that make up these ETFs.

2. JP Morgan ETFs (JPST, JMST): Homrich & Berg decreased its holdings in both JP Morgan ETFs during Q3 2021, with JP Morgan Exchange Traded-Fund (JPST) experiencing a decline of 1.2% and JP Morgan Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (JMST) decreasing by 0.8%. The overall value of these holdings slightly declined from $307,000 to $302,000.

JP Morgan ETFs primarily invest in US Treasury and corporate bonds with the aim of providing steady income with low risks. Given that the Federal Reserve has signaled a potential interest rate hike and an end to the bond-buying program in the near future, the decline in the holdings of these two funds may indicate that Homrich & Berg is reallocating their investment towards other fixed-income asset classes to manage interest rate risk.

3. SPDR ETFs (SPYG, SPY, SPLV, SDY): Homrich & Berg increased its holdings in SPDR ETFs, primarily SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), which saw an increase of 10.1% in the number of shares held and a 10.1% increase in the value of these shares. Meanwhile, SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) saw a notable increase of 12.3% in the number of shares held and a 12.3% increase in the value of these shares. SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) held steady.

SPDR ETFs offer investors exposure to a range of asset classes, including US large-cap, growth, low-volatility, and dividend stocks. The growth-oriented SPYG ETF has outperformed the broad market this year, and Homrich & Berg's increased holdings in it may indicate that the firm is bullish on the continued growth potential of the underlying stocks in this category.

4. Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL): Homrich & Berg increased its holdings in four technology giants during Q3 2021. The most significant increase was in Amazon, where the number of shares held increased by 3.7%. Apple, Microsoft, and Alphabet held steady, with increases in the number of shares held ranging from 1.2% to 10.1%.

The technology sector has been one of the best-performing sectors in the US market since the beginning of the pandemic. These companies have experienced significant growth in their respective sectors, leading to a notable increase in their stock prices. Homrich & Berg's holdings in these four tech companies indicate their confidence in continued growth potential in the sector.

5. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B): Homrich & Berg decreased its holdings in both classes of Berkshire Hathaway stock during Q3 2021, with the number of shares held declining by 3.2%.

Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company owned by legendary investor Warren Buffett. The company has a diverse portfolio of companies in various industries, ranging from insurance to consumer goods. The decline in Homrich & Berg's holdings may indicate that the firm is reallocating towards other companies in the market or seeking higher growth potential in other sectors.

In summary, Homrich & Berg's Q2 2021 vs. Q3 2021 13F holdings comparison indicates a strong inclination toward low-cost, passive investment options, primarily in the form of various ETFs. The increase in holdings in the Vanguard and SPDR ETFs and technology giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet indicate the firm's confidence in continued growth potential in these sectors. However, the decline in holdings in JP Morgan ETFs and Berkshire Hathaway shares may suggest that Homrich & Berg is seeking other sectors or companies with higher growth potential. As always, it's essential to consider how these changes might align with your own investment goals and do your research before making any investment decisions.