Cross Currents

Cross Currents

A mixed set of economic data set against ongoing news of coronavirus infections sent stocks and bonds in opposite directions. As quarantines and lost production in China begin to impact supply chains and the likes of Apple, bonds continued their long tenured ascent, helping offset the week’s equity losses for those investors with a well-diversified portfolio.

The (U.S.) Consumer Keeps Coming Up Roses

The (U.S.) Consumer Keeps Coming Up Roses

The U.S. consumer continues to be the sweetheart of the global economy. Personal consumption represents approximately 70 percent of U.S. GDP and this morning’s University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index release suggests the consumer remains both confident and resilient.

Hit by Cupid’s Arrow but Not Tying the Knot? Tips for Unmarried Cohabiting Couples

Hit by Cupid’s Arrow but Not Tying the Knot? Tips for Unmarried Cohabiting Couples

Have you been hit by Cupid’s arrow but you’re not ready to tie the knot? An increasing number of couples are moving in together before marriage, or don’t plan on getting married for any number of reasons. What many couples who move in together don’t realize is that their assets could be at risk in ways they don’t imagine.

(No) Beast of Burden

(No) Beast of Burden

In stark contrast to the fear-based selling that enveloped markets a week ago, stocks bounced back with a vengeance in the first week of February.

Christianson, Harding and Havnaer Receive Promotions

Christianson, Harding and Havnaer Receive Promotions

Promotions within our company are something worth celebrating. Three professionals representing different teams were recognized for their accomplishments at Ferguson Wellman.

Too Much to Overcome in the Near Term

Too Much to Overcome in the Near Term

As investors, we know that near-term sentiment can get ahead of fundamentals, and we felt that was the case early in the year. What would cause the market to pull back was not as easy to determine, but it appears earnings and the Coronavirus are the current catalysts for selling stocks. Now seems like an appropriate time to remind investors how we manage through turbulent times, and how we view market corrections versus bear markets.


Does Size Matter?

Does Size Matter?

This week, Alphabet Inc., parent company to Google, became the fourth company to join the “trillion-dollar market value club,” that includes Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon. Besides the significance of their “trillion dollar” size, why do we care so much about the market value of these companies?

Back to the Basics

Back to the Basics

With stocks, only two things matter: earnings and what investors are willing to pay for a dollar of earnings.

Investment Outlook Video Q1 2020: Age Is Just a Number

Investment Outlook Video Q1 2020: Age Is Just a Number

George Hosfield, CFA, chief investment officer for Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing Investments, shares the firm’s outlook for 2020.

Ten Years After

Ten Years After

As investors turn their calendars to 2020, we reflect on the previous decade in this holiday-shortened trading week.