Scams are on the rise during this pandemic. Here are some reminders and resources from the Federal Trade Commission
FTC Scam Bingo: Helping Your Technology Stay Healthy
Planning for Healthcare in Retirement
Our health and well-being during this pandemic is a top priority. While there are things about managing our healthcare that we cannot control, we do have options to plan for the financial impact.
Deferred Federal Tax Payments and Tax Filings Announced
In an effort to reduce the burden on taxpayers during the COVID-19 pandeminc, Secretary Mnuchin announced deferring Federal tax filing and payments.
March Sadness
First and foremost, we want to extend our concern and empathy to those whose health has been directly impacted by the virus, as well to those in the travel, entertainment and restaurant industries whose jobs are increasingly at risk.
2019 Annual Report
Cole Interviewed on KPTV
Ralph Cole, CFA, director at Ferguson Wellman, was interviewed on KPTV regarding stock market volatility during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cole and Lago Quoted in Portland Tribune
Where To From Here?
While the duration, severity and economic toll of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 are yet to be known, this week investors abandoned any attempt to calibrate market prices using fundamentals and engaged in wholesale panic, selling off equities in all markets around the world.
White Knuckles
The rollercoaster ride continued this week as stocks moved at least 2 percent every day; however, with all of that volatility the S&P 500 was up 1 percent.
Fear Is Only as Deep as the Mind Allows
Kingda Ka at Six Flags in New Jersey is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the United States. Imagine being on that coaster.
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 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
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
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
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
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.
Below the Tip of the Iceberg
Adoption of socially responsible, or more commonly referred to as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, has gone into a parabolic growth phase.
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
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
George Hosfield, CFA, chief investment officer for Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing Investments, shares the firm’s outlook for 2020.