Josh Brown, a well-known financial commentator in the U.S., stated in an interview with CNBC that a long-term interest rate of 5% may not devastate the stock market as previously feared. He believes that the U.S. financial system currently holds a substantial amount of cash, with approximately $9 trillion in money market funds and deposit accounts. For many savers, especially the baby boomer generation, a 5% risk-free return translates to higher interest income, which could further support spending on travel, housing, and other consumption. The real pressure is on those highly leveraged companies that have long relied on low interest rates and borrowing to sustain their operations. In a high interest rate environment, funds are likely to concentrate more on companies with healthier balance sheets and higher quality.