Q1 2025 Economic Recap
Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty provides a recap for Q1 2025. She discusses consumer confidence, personal income, Federal government employment, job creation, and tariffs.
Are You a High Earner But Still Broke? Five Fixes for That
March 24, 2025 If you’re a HENRY (a higher earner, not rich yet) but feel like you still live paycheck to paycheck, there are steps you can take to get control of your financial future. As published in Kiplinger HENRYs, or high earners, not rich yet, are professionals who earn significant income but struggle to […]
FOMC Commentary – March 19, 2025
FOMC Interest Rate Announcement, Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and Fed Chairman Powell Press Conference There were a few surprises in the Federal Open Market Committee Interest Rate decision this morning. The top line number – the Fed Funds target rate—was left unchanged at 4.25%-4.5%, as expected. However, the less visible but certainly significant decision to […]
Understanding the Current Market Selloff – March 11, 2025
Stocks started 2025 trading higher but have since pulled back. The S&P 500 has declined more than -8% from its all-time high on February 19th, lowering its year-to-date return to -5% (Figure 1). The Nasdaq 100, an index of technology and growth stocks, is down -7% year-to-date, while the small-cap-focused Russell 2000 has fallen -9%. The Magnificent 7, a group that includes Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, and Tesla, has declined nearly -15%. Given the recent volatility, our team wanted to discuss the current environment and provide a market update.
March Madness – Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain?
By Stuart Katz, Chief Investment Officer March 5, 2025 -March Madness and market uncertainty share striking parallels in their unpredictability and high stakes. The NCAA basketball tournament, known for its “Cinderella stories” and upsets, is a single-elimination event where even top-seeded teams can fall unexpectedly. Similarly, financial markets operate under constant uncertainty, with prices influenced […]
Preparing for an Inheritance: Don’t Let Your Blessing Become a Curse
March 5, 2025 A few practical steps, such as establishing your financial independence and asking questions, can help you avoid inheritance pitfalls. As published in Kiplinger By Mallon FitzPatrick Many people look forward to an inheritance — it can provide financial security, opportunities for education and the ability to pursue passions. But there’s a lesser-known, […]
2025 Rate Cut Outlook: The Fed on Hold – What Will Investors Focus On?
By the Robertson Stephens Investment Office In recent years, the Federal Reserve carried out one of the fastest rate-hiking campaigns in history to bring inflation down from a multi-decade high. After holding rates high for over 12 months, the central bank started its current rate-cutting cycle in late 2024, lowering rates by a total of […]
FOMC Commentary – January 29, 2025
By Jeanette Garretty, Chief Economist The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced today it would leave the target Feds Funds interest rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.5%. Although financial markets expressed some mild disappointment that rates were being held steady, the announcement was widely anticipated. Much has been written about today’s FOMC Interest Rate Decision, marking the […]
Five Near Term Market Themes to Watch
By Stuart Katz, Chief Investment Officer January 27, 2025 – Last week’s inauguration activities in Washington mark Donald Trump’s return to the White House. As the second Trump administration starts, the market is looking ahead to what changes may take place in the coming years. Today, we briefly examine five key themes investors are monitoring […]
2025 and Beyond: Investment and Wealth Planning Outlook Webinar
Jan 24, 2025 – Chief Investment Officer Stuart Katz and Head of Wealth Planning Mallon FitzPatrick have a conversation moderated by Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty as they offer their perspective on markets and wealth planning. Disclosures Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not […]
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 […]
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 […]