Investment Commentary – April 7, 2025
Executive Summary Corporates and consumers have become more conservative recently based on recent data, which has yet to reflect the full impact of the recent Tariff Tax Turmoil. The good news is that we have a largely domestic, services-oriented economy, and while tariffs are disruptive in the short-term, the impact can be contained if the […]
March Recap: The Market Navigates Economic and Policy Uncertainty
Monthly Market Summary Stocks fell in the first quarter after two consecutive years of gains exceeding +20%. The year started off strong, with the S&P 500 reaching a new all-time high in mid-February. However, sentiment shifted late in February amid rising policy uncertainty in Washington, and the S&P 500 ended the quarter down. There are […]
Market Recap: April 3, 2025
Watch Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty and Chief Investment Officer Stuart Katz discuss the recent tariffs announcement and its impact on markets.
Investment Office Quick Thoughts: April 3, 2025
We finally received the details on the scope of the Trump Administration Tariffs, and it’s beyond market consensus. Risk markets currently do not like the announcement, with stock futures currently down and the NASDAQ leading markets lower. Copper and oil are also falling in post-market trading, suggesting concerns about dimmer growth prospects. The Asia open seems more muted than the headlines would potentially justify.
Investment Commentary – March 31, 2025
Executive Summary Last week, stocks declined, and bonds rallied as fresh signs of economic weakness and renewed inflation fears disturbed markets. The S&P 500’s closed down 4.4% over the quarter. In particular, Tech Mega-Caps were hit hard. Meanwhile, the yield on 10-year Treasuries fell approximately 10 basis points to ~4.25% as investors sought safety. A […]
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.
February Recap: The Market Navigates Economic and Policy Uncertainty in February
Monthly Market Summary Stocks and Bonds Move in Opposite Directions Amid Market Rotation Stocks traded lower in a late-month sell-off as sentiment weakened. The S&P 500’s decline erased most of its post-election gains, which had been driven by expectations for stronger growth and deregulation under the new administration. Smaller companies underperformed, with the Russell 2000 […]
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 […]
January Recap: Stocks Rally as Market Leadership Shifts in Early 2025
Monthly Market Summary Stocks Trade Higher as Market Leadership Rotates After 2024’s Gains Stocks traded higher to start 2025, but there was a change in market leadership as the rally broadened. Large Cap Value, which underperformed over the past 12 months, outperformed Large Cap Growth by over +2.5% in January. Likewise, the Dow Jones Index […]
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 […]
Bond Market Experts Offer Road Map for What Lies Ahead
October 24, 2023 – Chief Investment Officer, Stuart Katz was featured in etf.com to discuss ‘Bond Market Experts Offer Road Map for What Lies Ahead.’ “We believe long yields are rising for several reasons: Treasury supply is larger than expected with little concern for fiscal restraint, stronger-than-expected growth, September Fed Dot Plot and less foreign buyers including China and […]