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Our Investment Views
Emilie Ma
Investment Strategy Video: Inflation's Flame ...

George Hosfield, CFA, discusses Ferguson Wellman's quarterly strategy titled, "Inflation's Flame Flickers," which addresses the narrow market leadership, the impact of higher interest rates on inflation and how assets are priced at this stage of the economic cycle.

Investment Strategy Video: Inflation's Flame Flickers
Our Investment Views
Liz Swagerty Olsen
Investment Strategy Video: Stalemate

George Hosfield, CFA, discusses the firm's quarterly strategy titled "Stalemate," which highlights the Fed's ongoing battle to tame inflation along with our views on the health of the banking industry and capital market expectations for the balance of the year.

Investment Strategy Video: Stalemate
Our Investment Views
Liz Swagerty Olsen
Third Quarter 2022 Investment Strategy Video: ...

Director and Chief Investment Officer George Hosfield, CFA, discusses the Fed raising interest rates, peaking inflation and our view on equities and volatility across all asset classes in our Investment Strategy titled, “Balancing Act.”

Third Quarter 2022 Investment Strategy Video: Balancing Act
Annual Report
Mary Faulkner
2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report
Wealth Management
Liz Swagerty Olsen
First Quarter 2022 Wealth Management Insights ...

Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFA, discusses the theme for the first quarter of 2022, “Valuing the Resources of Time and Money.”

First Quarter 2022 Wealth Management Insights Video: Valuing the Resources of Time and Money

Home Sweet Home Economics: Decoding the Fed's Impact on Housing

Home Sweet Home Economics: Decoding the Fed's Impact on Housing

Recently, a realtor friend of mine shared that transaction volume was notably low due to high interest rates, resulting in a sluggish market. However, with last week’s Federal Reserve’s rates cut, he and likely others in the realty industry are hoping the housing market will be reenergized. While not everyone can buy or sell a house, home ownership is a prominent consideration when creating wealth. And while I’m not in the market to sell my house, I was curious about what is now occurring in the housing market.

Big Week for the Number 50

Big Week for the Number 50

For sports enthusiasts and market participants alike, this week was all about the number 50. For fans of America’s favorite pastime, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani became the first player in the history of professional baseball to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani achieved this historic accomplishment with a bang, going 6 for 6 with three home runs and 10 RBIs … in a single game.

Considering a Move? What To Know About Changing Domicile

Considering a Move? What To Know About Changing Domicile

In recent years, a growing number of individuals and families have considered changing their state of domicile as a strategy to reduce their state income tax burden. Not surprisingly, states with lower income taxes and taxpayer-friendly structures experienced strong inbound migration according to IRS migration data based on 2021 and 2022 tax return filings. Whether prompted by high state income, estate or property taxes, the decision to change domicile is significant with legal and financial implications.

Time to Pivot

Time to Pivot

On Wednesday, the last significant economic data release occurred before the Federal Open Markets Commitee (FOMC) meeting next week. Overall, inflation appears to be tamed with the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling to a 2.5% growth rate compared to a year earlier, hitting a new three-year low.

Jobs > Inflation

Jobs > Inflation

In what is commonly known as their dual mandate, the Federal Reserve is charged by Congress to effectively promote both maximum employment and stable prices in the U.S. economy.

Labor (To)day

Labor (To)day

Labor Day marks the end of summer and is dedicated to honoring the American labor movement. The first Labor Day celebration occurred on September 5, 1882, in New York City and was organized by the Central Labor Union.

Too Big for Texas

Too Big for Texas

As summer wraps up, the kids head back to school, and the weather becomes crisp, I can’t help but remember the ice storm that hit Portland earlier this year during one of the coldest weeks.

Business Owners & The Changing Buy-Sell Agreement Landscape

Business Owners & The Changing Buy-Sell Agreement Landscape

For business owners, planning for the future transition of their business is crucial. Succession planning isn't just about deciding who will take over when you retire; it’s also about ensuring a smooth transition if something unexpected happens. This is where buy-sell agreements can be beneficial. 

What to Expect When You're Expecting (a Rate Cut)

What to Expect When You're Expecting (a Rate Cut)

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is a book for many first-time parents. My wife and I are preparing for our third child’s arrival in October, a process that has been a mix of excitement and logistical planning. While this is not our first rodeo, the passage of time has certainly brought a fresh set of challenges.

Win Sahm, Lose Sahm

Win Sahm, Lose Sahm

Over the last week, investors and market watchers were introduced to a relatively unknown economic indicator, the Sahm Rule. As highlighted by Google search data, interest in the indicator spiked last week.

The Devil (and Dove) Are in the Details

The Devil (and Dove) Are in the Details

Last week, over 28 million unique viewers tuned into the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad opening ceremony in Paris, France, double the combined state populations of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The ceremony set the stage for the coming weeks of competition and allowed viewers to catch their first glimpses of the best athletes in the world. This week, investors were focused on a different stage: the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) press conference, which offered insight into the Fed’s future perspectives on inflation and employment.

Faster Growth, Slower Inflation

Faster Growth, Slower Inflation

In the last few days, the powerful rotation from growth stocks to value stocks, highlighted in our colleague Alex Harding’s article last week, continued.

IRS Publishes Clarification on SECURE Acts

IRS Publishes Clarification on SECURE Acts

The passage of the SECURE Act in 2019 and SECURE 2.0 Act in 2022 ushered in sweeping changes for taxpayers regarding retirement account distributions. These changes, including a significant modification to how certain designated beneficiaries must distribute inherited retirement accounts, are crucial for anyone possessing or inheriting a retirement account to understand.

Rotation

Rotation

Since the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on July 11, the stock market has experienced a noticeable shift in leadership as the inflation rate continues to move toward the Fed’s target of 2%. Investors have been moving away from technology stocks, which have been the darlings of the market this year, towards small-cap and value stocks.

Discovering the Hidden Gem of Your Portfolio: Net Unrealized Appreciation

Discovering the Hidden Gem of Your Portfolio: Net Unrealized Appreciation

Many companies reward employees with ownership of company stock through profit-sharing plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), or the option to purchase company stock via their 401(k) plans.

Wealth Management Insights Video Third Quarter 2024

Wealth Management Insights Video Third Quarter 2024

Wealth Management Chair Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA, presents the firm’s quarterly Wealth Management Insights titled, “The Role of Insurance in Wealth Planning.” In the video, she explains the role of insurance in wealth planning, highlighting the types and benefits of different kinds of coverage.

Fiscal Irresponsibility

Fiscal Irresponsibility

We frequently receive questions from clients regarding the sustainability of U.S. government debt. According to the U.S. treasury, the American government has run a budget surplus only four times in the last 50 years, with the most recent being in 2001.

Tale of the 10-Year Treasury

Tale of the 10-Year Treasury

A sense of excitement often marks the 4th of July as millions of Americans celebrate with a day full of festivities, reflection and national pride. This holiday kicks off July with a bang and sets the tone for a month filled with what we all enjoy – fun in the sun! Equities have taken center stage, the “bang” investors sought this year.

Investment Strategy Video Third Quarter 2024

Investment Strategy Video Third Quarter 2024

Chief Investment Officer George Hosfield, CFA, presents the firm's quarterly Investment Strategy titled, "We’ve Landed."

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Wealth Management Insights Third Quarter 2024

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Wealth Management Insights Third Quarter 2024

We present the third quarter 2024 Wealth Management Insights publication titled, “Is Your Insurance Right for You?” featuring articles written by Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, Casia Chappell, CFP®, CPWA®, and Chris Bixby, CFP®, EA.