Wealth Management Insights Video Second Quarter 2025

Wealth Management Insights Video Second Quarter 2025

Estate planning is critical for protecting your wealth and ensuring your wishes are followed during your life and beyond. This quarter's Wealth Management Insights video explores key components of an effective estate plan and how to incorporate flexibility when needed.

Short Week, Big Moves

Short Week, Big Moves

As February draws to a close, so does our first quarter outlook season. We enjoy hitting the road and sharing our 2025 Investment Outlook with clients and colleagues, and are grateful for the chance to come together and look forward to what's ahead.

Understanding the Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

Understanding the Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

The Roth IRA has earned its popularity with retirement savers—and for good reason. Funded with after-tax dollars, it offers the rare advantage of tax-free withdrawals in retirement, provided you’re at least 59½ and have held the account for five years.

Investment Strategy Second Quarter 2025

Investment Strategy Second Quarter 2025

While market volatility has been highly-elevated in recent weeks with the almost daily change in the proposed tariff landscape, in this quarter’s investment strategy video we endeavor to provide a measured perspective on what lies ahead and how navigate the psychology of investing.

Return of the Vigilantes

Return of the Vigilantes

This week, equity market volatility continued due to last week’s announcement of global tariffs. Investors, attempting to handicap the potential impacts on the U.S. economy and corporate profits, caused a bond market rally by selling risky assets (stocks) and buying safe assets (government bonds). However, something changed over the weekend. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield started the week at 3.9% and, by Tuesday evening, had reached 4.5%.

Shock and Awe

Shock and Awe

This week, the presidential inauguration and subsequent flurry of executive orders left investors deciphering what is ‘signal’ versus ‘noise’. Fortunately, in the background, public companies have started reporting fourth quarter earnings and reveal expectations for the year ahead.

Outlook and Insights Second Quarter 2025

Taking the Time to Share Our Outlook

Taking the Time to Share Our Outlook

One of the sayings most often heard in our firm is, “It’s not about timing the market”—it’s about time in the market. With this long-term view in mind, one might ask why we spend so much time preparing our Outlook each year when the messaging has been consistent over the years. Simply put, each year brings new challenges for investors, but our commitment to clients is to stay focused on the long term.

To Gift or Not to Gift and Other Questions

To Gift or Not to Gift and Other Questions

According to the latest report by Cerulli & Associates, $124 trillion is expected to change hands by 2048. Just under 15% is expected to be given to charity and the remaining balance will go to heirs.  

Three Pitfalls to Avoid with 529 Plan Withdrawals

Three Pitfalls to Avoid with 529 Plan Withdrawals

When it comes to saving for college, 529 accounts are a popular choice. These tax-advantaged savings plans are designed to help families set aside funds for future education expenses. You can choose from various investment options and enjoy tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified education costs. 

Trust Protector: A Tool for Flexibility in Estate Planning

Trust Protector:  A Tool for Flexibility  in Estate Planning

In an era of evolving tax laws and shifting estate planning strategies, flexibility has become an important consideration in wealth planning. 

Tariff Tensions

Tariff  Tensions

After last November’s election, it was widely expected that tariffs would become a significant focus in 2025. Initially, markets downplayed these concerns, viewing them primarily as negotiating tools rather than serious economic threats. 

Turn Down the Volume

Turn Down the Volume

After a quick start that saw the S&P 500 jump 5% in the first three weeks of the year, markets abruptly reversed course and gave it all back and then some, with the blue-chip index posting a 4.3% loss for the quarter. 

Ferguson Wellman Celebrates 50 Years with a Push for Financial Literacy

Ferguson Wellman Celebrates 50 Years with a Push for Financial Literacy

To recognize this milestone anniversary, Ferguson Wellman is launching a new initiative to promote more financial education and literacy.

Pick Your Poison

Pick Your Poison

Equity markets surged on Monday only to come under pressure to close the week at a 1.5% loss. Absent a rally greater than 4% on Monday, this will be the first quarter since the summer of 2023 when investors have lost money in domestic stocks.

Global Gains, U.S. Pains

Global Gains, U.S. Pains

Something is happening that hasn’t occurred in a very long time – international stocks are outperforming the U.S. markets. This shift marks a significant departure from the long-standing dominance of U.S. equities, which have historically been driven by robust earnings growth and technological innovation.

Saving for College

Saving for College

The current residential real estate market continues to apply pressure on potential home buyers, with many feeling the constraints of high housing prices and relatively high interest rates for mortgages.  

Tariffs and Volatility: Turn Down the Volume

Tariffs and Volatility: Turn Down the Volume

This week, we sent this communication to all Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing clients in response to heightened market volatility. We felt that this message was also appropriate to reiterate for our weekly blog.

KXL Radio Interviews with Ferguson Wellman

KXL Radio Interviews with Ferguson Wellman

Our professionals are periodically asked to weigh in on timely topics regarding the economy, capital markets and personal finance.

The Tariff Tantrum

The Tariff Tantrum

After last November's presidential election, it was widely understood that tariffs would be on the agenda for 2025. Early this year, however, markets largely shrugged off these concerns, viewing tariff threats primarily as a negotiating tactic rather than a serious economic risk.