Economic Commentary – January 27, 2025
This week, the Federal Open Market Committee meeting is expected to introduce a new monetary policy concept: The Pause. Of course, there is no such theory called “The Pause,” and there is not much theory behind this (in)action. Monetarists believe there is a theory that governs the correct level of money supply for the level of […]
Buying a Home with Your Partner: What You Need to Know
January 21, 2025 – Buying a home with your partner is an exciting step, but it’s also a significant financial and emotional commitment. To ensure the process goes smoothly—and to protect both your relationship and your investment—it’s essential to discuss some critical topics before purchasing. Here’s everything you need to know to get on the […]
Investment Commentary – January 21, 2025
Executive Summary Earnings season starts strong, and U.S. economic data keeps beating estimates. Last week, stocks and bonds were up on the week (bond prices up / yields down). The S&P 500 outperformed the MSCI EAFE and MSCI emerging markets indices. The best-performing sectors in the S&P 500 were energy, financials, and materials. Across U.S. […]
Economic Commentary – January 21, 2025
Some of you will remember the famous quote from the film “Apocalypse Now”: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” You can be forgiven for thinking this might be the new, intentionally theatrical motto of trade negotiators everywhere. Toss a few incendiary bombs (words) and see what happens. While this is not the […]
Roberston Stephens Ends 2024 with $7.1 Billion in Assets, Marking 45% Annual Growth
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16, 2024—Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”), today announced that it ended 2024 with $7.1 billion in advisory assets under management, marking 45% growth over the preceding 12 months. Last year, Robertson Stephens completed five acquisitions, adding or increasing presences in the Chicago area, Connecticut, Oregon, and Colorado. “This was a […]
Home Is Where the Heart Is
By Jeanette Garretty, Chief Economist January 14, 2025 – Economists, lenders and policy analysts are given to talking about the US housing market in notably clinical terms. A blizzard of monthly data on, for example, “housing starts,” “building permits,” and “new home sales” (from the US Census Bureau), “existing home sales” (from the National […]
Economic Commentary – January 13, 2025
It should be a doozy of a week. Financial markets are continuing to digest the extremely strong US nonfarm employment numbers from Friday while contemplating the release of a full load of inflation data. Strong economic growth going into the first quarter seems well established, although, in truth, the announcement of 256,000 jobs created in […]
Investment Commentary – January 13, 2025
Executive Summary Last week, US stocks and bonds were down. The MSCI EAFE (non US developed) and MSCI emerging markets indices outperformed the S&P 500. The best performing sectors in the S&P 500 were energy, health care, and materials. Across U.S. style & market cap indices, large-cap value did the best, and the value factor […]
Quarterly Letter: A Strong Year Gives Way to an Uncertain Future
By Avi Deutsch January 10, 2025 – Few began 2024 feeling optimistic about the US economy. The year that began shortly after fighting in the Middle East erupted, joining the Ukraine War as a source of geopolitical uncertainty; the year after the Fed rate hit its highest level since 2000; the year that promised a […]
Solid Economic Growth and Rate Cuts Power Stocks in 2024
By John Lau January 2, 2025 – The S&P 500 extended 2024 gains as the election results raised expectations for tax cuts and other pro-growth policies in 2025, while the economy remained on solid footing and the Fed continued to cut interest rates. The S&P 500 logged a modestly positive return for the fourth quarter […]
December 2024 Recap
Economy December 2024 saw the U.S. economy wrap up a solid year that defied the skeptics who had been calling for a recession since 2023. Key economic indicators reflected a steadily expanding, disinflationary economy with some pockets of weakness. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported a real GDP growth rate of 2.8% for Q3 2024, […]
Market Note: Grateful, But Not Complacent
December 20, 2024 – The term American Exceptionalism should not be used lightly. Like every country, the US is complex, and there are good things and less good things about it. Still, it’s hard to view the US economy in 2024 as anything short of outstanding, especially compared to almost everyone else. Whatever challenges lay ahead, and […]