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Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. The Israelite Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 500 W Madison Suite 4000 Chicago, IL 60661 312-360-5624 [email protected] November 2018 Infographic: Financial Lessons from Football Ten Year-End Tax Tips for 2018 How can I protect my personal and financial information from credit fraud and identity theft? How can I safely shop online this holiday season? The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletter The Tech Sector Could Be Dominating Your Portfolio See disclaimer on final page There is an amazing array of economic data to analyze right now. The general consensus is that we are in the later stages of a very long global economic expansion. Historically this period has been a decent time to be an equity investor. As we do every year, over the next two months will look for opportunities to tax loss harvest in all taxable accounts to help minimize capital gains. Taking a short break from the global markets we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing us to assist in your financial wellbeing. We are profoundly grateful for the trust you have in our team and our investment philosophy. We believe strongly in the partnership that we share with you and will continue to work diligently to help you meet your financial goals. Thank you The Israelite Group The biggest names in technology powered stock market gains and bouts of volatility in 2017, and the trend continued into 2018. The S&P Information Technology sector index posted a 13.19% total return from January through July 2018, compared with 6.47% for the broader S&P 500 index. 1 Wall Street analysts and the business media often refer to well-known technology companies Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (now officially Alphabet) collectively with the acronym FAANG. Others use FAAMG, which substitutes Microsoft for Netflix. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook, respectively, are the four most valuable companies by market capitalization in the S&P 500 index; Alphabet is ranked eighth and ninth (based on two different share classes). 2 These tech giants are household names because they already play a huge role in everyday life, but they are also bold innovators with lots of cash on hand. They aim to expand their influence further by developing new products (such as self-driving cars and virtual reality) and disrupting established industries. 3 The problem with popularity Many benchmark indexes are weighted by market capitalization (the value of a company's outstanding shares), which gives larger companies an outsized role in index performance. The same large-cap tech stocks dominate the index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track these indexes, and can also be found among the largest holdings of many actively managed funds. Spreading investments among the 11 different sectors is a common way to diversify stock holdings. However, investors holding a mix of different funds for the sake of diversification could be surprised by the heavy concentration of popular technology stocks if they eventually fall out of favor and prices fall. Asset allocation and diversification are methods used to help manage risk; they do not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss. Mind your sector exposure Over time, a core portfolio of diversified equity funds can become overweighted in a sector that has been outperforming the broader market. Some investors with large positions in technology stocks may not be aware of the concentration level in their portfolios. Others could be ignoring the risk, possibly because they are overly optimistic about the sector's future prospects. Each business cycle is unique, which makes it difficult to predict which sectors stand to benefit in the months ahead. Although there's little you can do about the returns delivered by the financial markets, you can control the composition of your portfolio. For this reason, you may want to review the sector allocation and risk profile of your investment portfolio, if you have not done so lately. All investments are subject to market fluctuation, risk, and loss of principal. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Investments seeking to achieve a higher return may involve greater risk. Sector funds tend to be more volatile than the market in general and may carry additional risks. Mutual funds and ETFs are sold by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the investment company, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest. 1–2 S&P Dow Jones Indices, 2018 3 The Economist, June 2, 2018 Page 1 of 4

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Page 1: The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletterfa.opco.com/israelite/mediahandler/media/203430... · products (such as self-driving cars and virtual reality) and disrupting established industries.3

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.The Israelite Group ofOppenheimer & Co. Inc.500 W Madison Suite 4000Chicago, IL [email protected]

November 2018Infographic: Financial Lessons from Football

Ten Year-End Tax Tips for 2018

How can I protect my personal and financialinformation from credit fraud and identitytheft?

How can I safely shop online this holidayseason?

The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletter

The Tech Sector Could Be Dominating Your Portfolio

See disclaimer on final page

There is an amazing array of economicdata to analyze right now. The generalconsensus is that we are in the laterstages of a very long global economicexpansion.

Historically this period has been adecent time to be an equity investor.

As we do every year, over the next twomonths will look for opportunities to taxloss harvest in all taxable accounts tohelp minimize capital gains.

Taking a short break from the globalmarkets we would like to take thisopportunity to thank you for allowing usto assist in your financial wellbeing.

We are profoundly grateful for the trustyou have in our team and our investmentphilosophy. We believe strongly in thepartnership that we share with you andwill continue to work diligently to helpyou meet your financial goals.

Thank you

The Israelite Group

The biggest names intechnology powered stockmarket gains and bouts ofvolatility in 2017, and thetrend continued into 2018.The S&P InformationTechnology sector indexposted a 13.19% totalreturn from January

through July 2018, compared with 6.47% forthe broader S&P 500 index.1

Wall Street analysts and the business mediaoften refer to well-known technology companiesFacebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google(now officially Alphabet) collectively with theacronym FAANG. Others use FAAMG, whichsubstitutes Microsoft for Netflix. Apple,Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook,respectively, are the four most valuablecompanies by market capitalization in the S&P500 index; Alphabet is ranked eighth and ninth(based on two different share classes).2

These tech giants are household namesbecause they already play a huge role ineveryday life, but they are also bold innovatorswith lots of cash on hand. They aim to expandtheir influence further by developing newproducts (such as self-driving cars and virtualreality) and disrupting established industries.3

The problem with popularityMany benchmark indexes are weighted bymarket capitalization (the value of a company'soutstanding shares), which gives largercompanies an outsized role in indexperformance. The same large-cap tech stocksdominate the index mutual funds andexchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track theseindexes, and can also be found among thelargest holdings of many actively managedfunds.

Spreading investments among the 11 differentsectors is a common way to diversify stockholdings. However, investors holding a mix ofdifferent funds for the sake of diversification

could be surprised by the heavy concentrationof popular technology stocks if they eventuallyfall out of favor and prices fall.

Asset allocation and diversification are methodsused to help manage risk; they do notguarantee a profit or protect against investmentloss.

Mind your sector exposureOver time, a core portfolio of diversified equityfunds can become overweighted in a sectorthat has been outperforming the broadermarket. Some investors with large positions intechnology stocks may not be aware of theconcentration level in their portfolios. Otherscould be ignoring the risk, possibly becausethey are overly optimistic about the sector'sfuture prospects.

Each business cycle is unique, which makes itdifficult to predict which sectors stand to benefitin the months ahead. Although there's little youcan do about the returns delivered by thefinancial markets, you can control thecomposition of your portfolio. For this reason,you may want to review the sector allocationand risk profile of your investment portfolio, ifyou have not done so lately.

All investments are subject to marketfluctuation, risk, and loss of principal. Shares,when sold, may be worth more or less thantheir original cost. Investments seeking toachieve a higher return may involve greaterrisk. Sector funds tend to be more volatile thanthe market in general and may carry additionalrisks.

Mutual funds and ETFs are sold by prospectus.Please consider the investment objectives,risks, charges, and expenses carefully beforeinvesting. The prospectus, which contains thisand other information about the investmentcompany, can be obtained from your financialprofessional. Be sure to read the prospectuscarefully before deciding whether to invest.1–2 S&P Dow Jones Indices, 2018

3 The Economist, June 2, 2018

Page 1 of 4

Page 2: The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletterfa.opco.com/israelite/mediahandler/media/203430... · products (such as self-driving cars and virtual reality) and disrupting established industries.3

Infographic: Financial Lessons from Football

Page 2 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

Page 3: The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletterfa.opco.com/israelite/mediahandler/media/203430... · products (such as self-driving cars and virtual reality) and disrupting established industries.3

Ten Year-End Tax Tips for 2018Here are 10 things to consider as you weighpotential tax moves between now and the endof the year.

1. Set aside time to planEffective planning requires that you have agood understanding of your current taxsituation, as well as a reasonable estimate ofhow your circumstances might change nextyear. There's a real opportunity for tax savingsif you'll be paying taxes at a lower rate in oneyear than in the other. However, the window formost tax-saving moves closes on December31, so don't procrastinate.

2. Defer income to next yearConsider opportunities to defer income to 2019,particularly if you think you may be in a lowertax bracket then. For example, you may be ableto defer a year-end bonus or delay thecollection of business debts, rents, andpayments for services. Doing so may enableyou to postpone payment of tax on the incomeuntil next year.

3. Accelerate deductionsYou might also look for opportunities toaccelerate deductions into the current tax year.If you itemize deductions, making payments fordeductible expenses such as medicalexpenses, qualifying interest, and state taxesbefore the end of the year, instead of payingthem in early 2019, could make a difference onyour 2018 return.

4. Factor in the AMTIf you're subject to the alternative minimum tax(AMT), traditional year-end maneuvers such asdeferring income and accelerating deductionscan have a negative effect. Essentially aseparate federal income tax system with itsown rates and rules, the AMT effectivelydisallows a number of itemized deductions. Forexample, if you're subject to the AMT in 2018,prepaying 2019 state and local taxes probablywon't help your 2018 tax situation, but couldhurt your 2019 bottom line. Taking the time todetermine whether you may be subject to theAMT before you make any year-end movescould help save you from making a costlymistake.

5. Bump up withholding to cover a taxshortfallIf it looks as though you're going to owe federalincome tax for the year, especially if you thinkyou may be subject to an estimated tax penalty,consider asking your employer (via Form W-4)to increase your withholding for the remainderof the year to cover the shortfall. The biggest

advantage in doing so is that withholding isconsidered as having been paid evenly throughthe year instead of when the dollars are actuallytaken from your paycheck. This strategy canalso be used to make up for low or missingquarterly estimated tax payments. With all therecent tax changes, it may be especiallyimportant to review your withholding in 2018.

6. Maximize retirement savingsDeductible contributions to a traditional IRA andpre-tax contributions to an employer-sponsoredretirement plan such as a 401(k) can reduceyour 2018 taxable income. If you haven'talready contributed up to the maximum amountallowed, consider doing so by year-end.

7. Take any required distributionsOnce you reach age 70½, you generally muststart taking required minimum distributions(RMDs) from traditional IRAs andemployer-sponsored retirement plans (anexception may apply if you're still working forthe employer sponsoring the plan). Take anydistributions by the date required — the end ofthe year for most individuals. The penalty forfailing to do so is substantial: 50% of anyamount that you failed to distribute as required.

8. Weigh year-end investment movesYou shouldn't let tax considerations drive yourinvestment decisions. However, it's worthconsidering the tax implications of any year-endinvestment moves that you make. For example,if you have realized net capital gains fromselling securities at a profit, you might avoidbeing taxed on some or all of those gains byselling losing positions. Any losses over andabove the amount of your gains can be used tooffset up to $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500if your filing status is married filing separately)or carried forward to reduce your taxes in futureyears.

9. Beware the net investment incometaxDon't forget to account for the 3.8% netinvestment income tax. This additional tax mayapply to some or all of your net investmentincome if your modified adjusted gross income(AGI) exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 if marriedfiling jointly, $125,000 if married filingseparately, $200,000 if head of household).

10. Get help if you need itThere's a lot to think about when it comes to taxplanning. That's why it often makes sense totalk to a tax professional who is able toevaluate your situation and help you determineif any year-end moves make sense for you.

Timing of itemizeddeductions and theincreased standarddeduction

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,signed into law in December2017, substantially increasedthe standard deductionamounts and made significantchanges to itemizeddeductions, generally startingin 2018. (After 2025, theseprovisions revert to pre-2018law.) It may now be especiallyuseful to bunch itemizeddeductions in certain years; forexample, when they wouldexceed the standard deduction.

IRA and retirement plancontributions

For 2018, you can contributeup to $18,500 to a 401(k) plan($24,500 if you're age 50 orolder) and up to $5,500 to atraditional or Roth IRA ($6,500if you're age 50 or older). Thewindow to make 2018contributions to an employerplan generally closes at theend of the year, while youtypically have until the due dateof your federal income taxreturn (not includingextensions) to make 2018 IRAcontributions.

Page 3 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

Page 4: The Israelite Group Monthly Newsletterfa.opco.com/israelite/mediahandler/media/203430... · products (such as self-driving cars and virtual reality) and disrupting established industries.3

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.The Israelite Group ofOppenheimer & Co. Inc.500 W Madison Suite 4000Chicago, IL [email protected]

Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2018

The content herein should not beconstrued as an offer to sell or thesolicitation of an offer to buy anysecurity. The information enclosedherewith has been obtained fromoutside sources and is not theproduct of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.("Oppenheimer") or its affiliates.Oppenheimer has not verified theinformation and does notguarantee its accuracy orcompleteness. Additionalinformation is available uponrequest. Oppenheimer, nor any ofits employees or affiliates, does notprovide legal or tax advice.However, your OppenheimerFinancial Advisor will work withclients, their attorneys and their taxprofessionals to help ensure all oftheir needs are met and properlyexecuted. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.Transacts Business on all PrincipalExchanges and is a member ofSIPC.

How can I safely shop online this holiday season?Shopping online is especiallypopular during the holidayseason, when many peopleprefer to avoid the crowds andpurchase gifts with a few clicks

of a mouse. However, with this conveniencecomes the danger of having your personal andfinancial information stolen by computerhackers.

Before you click, you might consider thefollowing tips for a safer online shoppingexperience.

Pay by credit instead of debit. Credit cardpayments can be withheld if there is a dispute,but debit cards are typically debited quickly. Inaddition, credit cards generally have betterprotection than debit cards against fraudulentcharges.

Maintain strong passwords. When you orderthrough an online account, you should create astrong password. A strong password should beat least eight characters long, using acombination of lower-case letters, upper-caseletters, numbers, and symbols or a randomphrase. Avoid dictionary words and personalinformation such as your name and address.Also create a separate and unique password

for each account or website you use, and try tochange passwords frequently. To keep track ofall your password information, consider usingpassword management software, whichgenerates strong, unique passwords that youcontrol through a single master password.

Beware of scam websites. Typing one wordinto a search engine to reach a particularretailer's website may be easy, but it sometimeswon't bring you to the site you are actuallylooking for. Scam websites may contain URLsthat look like misspelled brand or store namesto trick online shoppers. To help you determinewhether an online retailer is reputable, researchsites before you shop and read reviews fromprevious customers. Look for https:// in the URLand not just http://, since the "s" indicates asecure connection.

Watch out for fake phishing and deliveryemails. Beware of emails that contain links orask for personal information. Legitimateshopping websites will never email you andrandomly ask for your personal information. Inaddition, be aware of fake emails disguised aspackage delivery emails. Make sure that alldelivery emails are from reputable deliverycompanies you recognize.

How can I protect my personal and financial informationfrom credit fraud and identity theft?In today's digital world,massive computer hacks anddata breaches are commonoccurrences. And chances

are, your personal or financial information isnow susceptible to being used for credit fraudor identity theft. If you discover that you are thevictim of either of these crimes, you shouldconsider placing a credit freeze or fraud alert onyour credit report to protect yourself.

A credit freeze prevents new credit andaccounts from being opened in your name.Once you obtain a credit freeze, creditors won'tbe allowed to access your credit report andtherefore cannot offer new credit. This helpsprevent identity thieves from applying for creditor opening fraudulent accounts in your name.

To place a credit freeze on your credit report,you must contact each credit reporting agencyseparately either by phone or by filling out anonline form. Keep in mind that a credit freeze ispermanent and stays on your credit report untilyou unfreeze it. This is important, because ifyou want to apply for credit with a new financialinstitution in the future, open a new bankaccount, or even apply for a job or rent an

apartment, you will need to "unlock" or "thaw"the credit freeze with each credit reportingagency.

A less drastic option is to place a fraud alert onyour credit report. A fraud alert requirescreditors to take extra steps to verify youridentity before extending any existing credit orissuing new credit in your name. To request afraud alert, you only have to contact one of thethree major reporting agencies, and theinformation will be passed along to the othertwo.

Recently, as part of the Economic Growth,Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Actof 2018, Congress made several changes tocredit rules that benefit consumers. Under thenew law, consumers are now allowed to"freeze" and "unfreeze" their credit reports freeof charge at all three of the major creditreporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, andTransUnion. In addition, the law extends initialfraud alert protection to one full year.Previously, fraud alerts expired after 90 daysunless they were renewed.

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