Robertson Stephens Weekly Commentary – December 2, 2024

We enter this week into that slightly unreal month where the year seems mostly done, but the next year hasn’t started — an uncomfortable limbo papered over with parties and travel and shopping and general busyness. Apparently, enough of the travel and shopping occurred over Thanksgiving weekend to leave retailers breathing a sigh of relief, but already, the question of what comes next is a palpable presence. U.S. Stocks ended a shortened trading session higher, while Treasury Yields declined across the curve. The S&P 500 climbed more than 1% for a second consecutive week.  Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury Yield fell to 4.17%. Optimism around Trump’s Treasury secretary pick has buoyed U.S. Stocks and Bonds while weakening the dollar, with expectations that tariff policies will remain measured. On the wealth planning front, we discuss lessons learned from Warren Buffet’s charitable donations.