Jason Norris, CFA, was on KOIN AM Extra to talk about SB 3 and financial literacy.
Washington State Tax Changes
The 2026 Washington State Legislative Session was quite active for a short 60-day session. Despite the short session, multiple changes were made regarding the Business & Occupation tax, Sales tax, Estate tax, and Capital Gains tax.
Inflation Jumps in March, But the Underlying Story Hasn’t Changed
As expected, the March inflation report came in hot. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.9% month over month and 3.3% year over year - the largest monthly move in nearly four years.
What Lies Beneath
While headlines remain dominated by geopolitical developments and ongoing conflict abroad, a steady stream of economic data continues to provide valuable insight into the U.S. economy’s underlying health.
Growth and Expansion: Ferguson Wellman’s Journey in Washington
Opening a Washington office had long been a goal for Ferguson Wellman. In 2021, as businesses globally grappled with remote work transitions, we established our first office in the state.
Trustworthy Trustees and Punctilious Personal Representatives
Even the best estate plan will go sideways without the right fiduciaries ready to step in and manage your affairs when you are no longer able to do so, whether by reason of death or incapacity during lifetime. It can be difficult to make these selections, considering family dynamics, time burden, availability, cost and the skills required. Thoughtful consideration in advance will be a gift to your loved ones when they may be called to enact your wishes.
Impediments and Benefits of a Current Estate Plan
It is easy to put off creating or updating an estate plan. Afterall, most of us believe we have at least a bit more time before it will be necessary and the excuses are obvious and plentiful. Herein, we will outline common impediments and corresponding benefits of a relevant plan with the intent of encouraging us all to take on the challenge.
Practical Estate Planning for Real Families
When we think of estate planning, we often think of legal documents, trusts and tax strategies. Often, the most challenging aspect of creating a successful plan is the human element: your family’s unique dynamics. The good news is that many common conflicts are predictable and can be reduced with planning and clear communication.
The Cost of Perfection
Software stocks have experienced a selloff of over 30% since October 2025, largely driven by uncertainty around the competitive risks of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI will have a significant impact on software companies, the more relevant question for investors is understanding if it is an opportunity or a risk for individual businesses.
Assessing the Shocks
In the first quarter, several market-disrupting events took place: the Supreme Court struck down International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, war began in the Middle East, oil prices rose over 70%, expectations for two Federal Reserve rate cuts evaporated and AI substitution fears triggered a 20% selloff in software stocks, the S&P 500’s second-largest industry. While none of these are positive developments for the capital markets, the fact that the S&P 500 is only down 4% year-to-date suggests the economic fallout may be much less than the current headlines suggest (as of March 31, 2026).
Outlook and Insights Second Quarter 2026
Diversification is More Than a Numbers Game
Investors commonly believe that a greater number of holdings automatically increases diversification. After all, many have heard the adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” While intuitive, this view confuses the number of securities in a portfolio with actual risk control.
The Tortoise and The Hare
This week, capital markets’ behavior continued its recent adoption of a “Tortoise and the Hare”-style dynamic, with fast-moving geopolitical headlines driving short-term volatility, while underlying economic trends evolve more gradually.
Supporting Schools and Nonprofits as They Deliver Financial Education
PORTLAND, Ore.—(Businesswire)—Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, a 50-year-old investment firm with broad employee ownership, is presenting its 2026 Outlook to clients through a 13-city tour in Western states.
Brett Norris on KOIN AM Extra
Crude Signals
Rising oil prices, driven by the war in Iran, have reintroduced a familiar dynamic into financial markets. While the sharp increase in gas prices may be the most visible impact for most Americans, additional adjustments across currencies and interest rates have also been notable. The signal from oil has been clear, but the downstream effects remain much less so.
Simplify Tax Season with a Donor-Advised Fund
Tax season often sends people searching through old emails, letters and statements to find documents for their tax professionals. Amid this administrative clutter, many look for ways to simplify their charitable reporting. For those who are philanthropically inclined, a donor-advised fund (DAF) can simplify both the giving process and the associated tax paperwork.
The Only Constant in Life is Change
Prior to the escalation of conflict in Iran, market attention was firmly focused on inflation, highlighted by two report releases this week: January’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) and February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).
It Often Rhymes
Mark Twain allegedly coined the phrase, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” No doubt, the Middle East military escalation this past week rhymed with our history in the region. Previous conflicts of this nature have added volatility to markets without a long-term U.S. economic impact. However, since these events have an impact on the price of oil, assessing the impact in the short-term and long-term is key for our economic and portfolio outlook. Such moments validate our ongoing belief in a broad, diversified portfolio for clients.
A Succinct History of Ferguson Wellman's 50 Years
The video we shared at the beginning of our 2026 Outlook events took 26,297,280 minutes of history and streamlined it to around 3.5 minutes. We hope you enjoy this commemorative video as much as we did creating it.