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.
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.
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.”
As we look ahead to the Federal Reserve’s December 10 policy meeting, markets are pricing in a greater than 90% chance of a .25% cut in the Fed Funds rate. As my colleague Blaine Dickason wrote last week, the Fed is laser-focused on the jobs market. While this week’s labor market data points to a cooling trend, it doesn’t suggest a contraction.
Yesterday marked Jerome Powell’s last Thanksgiving as Federal Reserve Chair. While he might have much to be thankful for, this year, as he enters the final months of his chairmanship, a unified Federal Reserve is not one of them. With the next Fed meeting and a possible interest rate cut in less than two weeks, we wanted to highlight the dynamics and implications of several transitions occurring at our country’s central bank.
Coming into this week, investors were focused on two items: the release of delayed employment data and Nvidia’s earnings announcement.
As the pace of life can slow down in the fall and winter seasons, so can we find ourselves noticing the finer details that surround us. These seasons invite reflection and intentionality, making them an ideal time to turn our attention to year-end financial planning.
I spent much of last Sunday with my father in his garage, servicing my car’s rear brakes. The job was supposed to be quick as we’d done it before without much trouble. Worn-out parts come off, new ones go on.
As November begins, markets find themselves navigating unprecedented territory. The government shutdown has now stretched to 38 days, the longest in U.S. history. While Washington remains gridlocked over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities, the Federal Reserve is operating in the dark at a moment when clarity is paramount.
This past week offered a trifecta of market-moving headlines: the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates, the latest chapter in the U.S. - China trade saga and a flurry of earnings reports from the leaders in tech and AI.
The idea of an AI bubble has been the topic du jour among mainstream investment news channel commentators. It’s no surprise: AI has been the primary driver of the stock market’s rise for the third consecutive year.
In this quarter’s Wealth Management Insights video, "Wrapping Up 2025," Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, discusses strategy and timing for charitable giving and which items to review ahead of year-end.
In this quarter’s investment strategy video, "Stalemate," Peter Jones, CFA, explores how hiring and firing have hit a standstill — but the economy hasn’t. AI investment, fiscal support, and a Fed pivot toward job growth are creating a complex but opportunity-rich environment for investors.
When a company needs a big loan to buy a competitor or fund a major project, they traditionally go to big banks or sell bonds on the public market. Private credit funds changed this process, allowing for more streamlined borrowing. Private credit funds act as the bank, lending money directly to companies in bespoke deals.
As the year draws to a close, it's an opportune time to review your financial situation and ensure you meet year-end deadlines to maximize your financial benefits. Completing these year-end financial tasks can help you save on taxes, secure your retirement and prepare you for the year ahead.
This week, the Congressional Budget Office released its estimate of the federal government’s fiscal year 2025 budget deficit. Nine months ago, there were high expectations that policymakers would move to reduce the deficit spending we’ve seen over the last 25 years.
On Wednesday, Congress failed to reach an agreement to fund the government, resulting in the first shutdown since 2018. While news headlines are filled with political drama, the financial markets have told a different story.
As we approach the close of 2025, we’re reminded of a significant milestone—welcoming our first Octavia Group client five years ago. During a recent strategy meeting, our team reflected on the evolution of our family office, sharing insights into our growth, expanding services, and future plans—all with the aim of consistently exceeding our clients’ expectations.
The tax landscape for individuals has shifted once again with the passage of OBBBA. While
the legislation includes enhanced deductions and targeted tax relief, it also introduces several new income-based limitations that subtly yet significantly reshape tax efficiency.
The tax act, adopted on July 4 of this year, extended or made permanent many personal income tax provisions and included significant changes for optimizing charitable giving strategies. The key changes to charitable income tax deductions for individuals that become effective in 2026 are highlighted below but must be considered in the broader context of other tax opportunities.
As we enter the final stretch of the year, it’s a great time to set aside a few hours to review your financial picture and position yourself for a confident start to the new year.
