KR Recovery & Market Recap: Both Moving at a Snail’s Pace – December 12, 2025
Good morning, Thank you again for all the kind words and thoughtful suggestions regarding my TKR last Friday. I read many of them while lying in pre-op, and they were genuinely comforting – I’m so appreciative. While the surgery appears to have been successful, my recollection of this week’s market action is—admittedly—a bit blurry. My […]
Markets Rally Through Data Fog as Fed Expectations Drive Sentiment
Executive Summary Markets extended their rally in October, rising for a seventh straight month despite intra-month volatility and uncertainty around a December rate cut. The government shutdown has ended, but it has left a gap in economic data, making it difficult to analyze the economy. Despite this data vacuum, optimism around a third consecutive rate […]
Economic Momentum Builds as Companies Shift Focus to 2026
Lessened concern about consumer spending weakness in December, and optimism about end-of-year economic growth, risks overlooking the intense focus of American business on 2026 profitability. Adjustments to the global trade changes introduced by tariff policy and other actions continue to unfold, and labor force decisions for the first half of the coming year — always top-of-mind […]
Client Testimonials – Michael Ridgeway
Testimonials provided by current clients of Robertson Stephens. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other customers and are no guarantee of future performance or success. “Mike is local (Clyde Hill based) and works with Robertson Stephens Wealth Management. He has been our advisor for several years now – we moved our money to […]
Markets Digest the Path of Interest Rates & the Next Phase of the AI Cycle
Monthly Market Summary The Market’s Tug-of-War with the Federal Reserve The stock market was volatile in November as the Federal Reserve managed investor expectations for a December rate cut. The volatility started after the Fed’s late-October meeting, when Chair Powell said a December rate cut was “not a foregone conclusion”. Market-implied odds for a third […]
Year-End Rally or Not? Three Things to Keep an Eye On
By John Lau, CPA, CFP® December 1, 2025 – The S&P 500 has bounced back nicely after its early-November dip. We’ve regained most of that pullback, and the market could still deliver a classic “Santa Claus rally” into year-end—but only if a few key events don’t throw cold water on the momentum. Since the holiday […]
I’m a Financial Planner: If You’re a High Earner, You Need an 18-Month Safety Net
As published on Kiplinger No job seems to be safe in this age of artificial intelligence, even white-collar ones. If you make a larger-than-usual salary, then you need to have a larger-than-usual emergency fund. Here’s why. Layoff notices used to be reserved for cyclical downturns, but recent years have proven that no salary level is […]
Correction Over, Month Saved – December 1, 2025
Good morning, I hope you had a delightful Thanksgiving holiday — the markets certainly did. Who would have thought that a three-week correction in November could be erased during a holiday-shortened week? At their November lows on 11/20, the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 were down -4.32%, -6.89%, and -6.95%, respectively. Yet by month-end, […]
Unwrapping Your Estate Plan for Your Kids: A Gift That’ll Keep Giving Long After the Holidays
As published on Rethinking65 The holidays offer families a perfect opportunity to discuss important, often difficult topics like long-term care, estate plans and legacy. You don’t have to resolve everything all at once, but getting started can provide peace of mind far beyond the season. November 26, 2025 – The holidays give many families a […]
Volatility Can Cut Both Ways – November 24, 2025
Good morning, Although rising volatility typically manifests as fear, selling, and lower prices, it can occasionally cut both ways. Thursday’s sharp intra-day plunge—driven by concerns over the scale (leverage) and eventual payoff of AI investment—was swiftly reversed on Friday following comments from the New York Fed’s John Williams, who suggested that rates may be too […]
Gap Up, Fall Down—An Unnerving Market Pattern – November 21, 2025
Good morning, That was strange… Yesterday’s gap-opening rally—sparked, at least in theory, by another NVDA earnings beat Wednesday night—initially pushed the S&P 500 up as much as +1.9%. Then, almost inexplicably, the market went into a free fall, sliding roughly 3.5% from its intra-day peak to finish the day down -1.55%. I’m not entirely sure […]
Pattern Recognition Ends Patterns – November 17, 2025
Good morning, Last Friday’s sharp mid-day rebound erased a weak opening, leaving the S&P 500 essentially flat for the day (-0.05%) and for the week (-0.07%). The now-familiar pattern of early-week strength followed by late-week weakness held once again—and will be tested today. The S&P 500 has posted gains on nine consecutive Mondays. As of […]