Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. This material is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. It does not constitute a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, has not been tailored to the needs of any specific investor, and should not provide the basis for any investment decision. Please consult with your Advisor prior to making any Investment decisions. The information contained herein was carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Information, views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation, are based on the information available at the time, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC assumes no duty to update this information. Unless otherwise noted, any individual opinions presented are those of the author and not necessarily those of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. Indices are unmanaged and reflect the reinvestment of all income or dividends but do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses which would reduce returns. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Forward-looking performance targets or estimates are not guaranteed and may not be achieved. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Alternative investments are only available to qualified investors and are not suitable for all investors. Alternative investments include risks such as illiquidity, long time horizons, reduced transparency, and significant loss of principal. This material is an investment advisory publication intended for investment advisory clients and prospective clients only. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC’ current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC’ business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. © 2026 Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC is a registered trademark of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. A3853
Weekly Commentary
Economic Commentary: The Benefit of a Clear Mind and Strong Stomach
Jeanette Garretty
Worth Watching
The Benefit of a Clear Mind and Strong Stomach
Every home realtor knows that a 7% mortgage rate is the kiss of death. Stock market savants know that a 5% 10-year Treasury yield is a tipping point. Lots of economists know that trade wars cause recessions. And now we are told, with a certain amount of qualified certitude, that AI could/will kill us. In all of this, it becomes extremely important to ask “Why?” or “How?”. The answer is frequently based on perceptions of historical reality, which should be tempered with the knowledge that history is a guide, not an oracle.
A broad and measured (analytical) understanding of the global economy at this moment provides little support for any theories of imminent collapse due to ongoing inflationary pressures or threats to trade. On the cusp of the final quarter of 2026, consensus world economic growth is 2.5%, possibly higher if US third-quarter economic growth has strengthened as commonly estimated. Energy-importing countries are doing less well than countries with a certain amount of energy self sufficiency, yet most countries in the world have avoided recession and, as many have observed, current levels of interest rates and inflation are clearly tolerable. Until, of course, they are not, in some unforeseen way. This is not intended to be an “on the other hand” kind of economic commentary, simply a recognition that higher prices (interest rates are a price of money), rising debt burdens, trade friction and rapidly changing technologies are all economic stressors which will continue to test the foundations of economic growth. A rational examination of economic resilience in the face of stress can provide productive insight into the very complicated nature of modern economies and how any one action or number is seldom the ”trigger,” as commonly thought. However, that same examination should also highlight much that is not known about how stresses can interact and play out over time. The global economy is currently doing relatively well; but it is not for the faint-of-heart.
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Disclosure and Source
Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. This material is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. It does not constitute a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, has not been tailored to the needs of any specific investor, and should not provide the basis for any investment decision. Please consult with your Advisor prior to making any Investment decisions. The information contained herein was carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Information, views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation, are based on the information available at the time, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC assumes no duty to update this information. Unless otherwise noted, any individual opinions presented are those of the author and not necessarily those of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. Indices are unmanaged and reflect the reinvestment of all income or dividends but do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses which would reduce returns. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Forward-looking performance targets or estimates are not guaranteed and may not be achieved. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Alternative investments are only available to qualified investors and are not suitable for all investors. Alternative investments include risks such as illiquidity, long time horizons, reduced transparency, and significant loss of principal. This material is an investment advisory publication intended for investment advisory clients and prospective clients only. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC’ current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC’ business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. © 2026 Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC is a registered trademark of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. A3853
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