It was an exceptionally busy week for economic data, and by and large, the news this week was very favorable. After a period of weakness in the second half of 2025, the labor market appears to be finding its footing.
A Good Reminder to Diversify
2026 Wealth Planning Guide
The Housing Math Problem
Investors returned from the long weekend to something more jarring than the usual post-holiday lull: a burst of geopolitical theater that triggered the sharpest pullback in the S&P 500 since last October.
New Year, New Savings Contribution Limits: What to Know for 2026
As we head into 2026, you may be navigating the year-over-year changes and asking yourself: What has changed and what should I care about? From retirement account contribution limits to rollover rules and required distributions, a few key updates are worthy of your attention.
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Acquires Vancouver-Based Great Northern Asset Management, Expanding its Regional Reach
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, an independent investment firm based in Portland, Oregon, has announced the acquisition of Great Northern Asset Management as of January 1, 2026. The Great Northern office will remain in downtown Vancouver, Washington. This will be Ferguson Wellman’s second office in Washington.
How We Work to Keep You and Your Data Safe
We participate in information sharing and threat awareness through membership in the FS-ISAC, a 25-year-old nonprofit with 5,000 financial sector members. This membership includes daily threat bulletins, participation in working groups around key areas such as AI security and fraud, and two main conferences annually for best practices and learning.
Things to Know Before You Sell Your Business
Selling a business is one of the most significant decisions an entrepreneur can make. Aside from being a meaningful financial transaction, it is also a life transition that impacts your legacy, family, employees and future.
From “I Do” to Baby Steps: Financial Planning for New Chapters
Two joyful milestones—marriage and the arrival of a child—bring celebration, change and financial complexity. These transitions also create important opportunities to strengthen your financial foundation and ensure that the plans you have in place evolve to support the people you love.
Mission: Impossible
Investors had to contend with plenty of noise in 2025. Tariff uncertainty disrupted markets, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history delayed economic data and the Fed resumed its easing cycle.
Outlook and Insights First Quarter 2026
Closing the Book on 2025
This week, investors and capital markets received a dose of holiday cheer as major U.S. stock indices recorded back-to-back highs in the two days before Christmas market closures. Stronger-than-expected economic growth during the summer helped drive the momentum, offsetting fresh evidence that consumers are growing more uncertain about their economic futures.
Changing Tax Domicile: Tips and Pitfalls
Every year, we get questions about how to reduce taxes by moving out of state. Taxes in Oregon have been some of the highest in the country for many years, and Washington is quickly following suit.
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Spending
The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s a certain energy in the air that feels unmistakable. Calendars fill with gatherings, homes glow a little brighter and routines soften as people pause to reflect on the year behind them. The gift lists and travel plans often involve higher spending and reveal deeper feelings among consumers.
Navigating in a Data-Blind Economy
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.
Cash Incinerators vs. Cloud Comebacks
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.
Thresholds
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.
Shutdowns and Smokescreens
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.
Outlook and Insights Fourth Quarter 2025
Building Lifelong Relationships with Our Family Office
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 Hidden Weight of Adjusted Gross Income in the OBBBA Era
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.