The word unprecedented has appeared often in headlines this year — and for good reason. Breaking news has been in no short supply, and this week brought another wave of significant government and business activity.
From AI to CPI
Ferguson Wellman remaining in downtown Portland, moving headquarters to Fox Tower in 2026
To recognize this milestone anniversary, Ferguson Wellman is launching a new initiative to promote more financial education and literacy.
Changes
Over the last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) released several data points highlighting some weakness in the jobs market.
Important Tax Update: New Legislation Signed into Law
Congress recently approved, and the President signed, new legislation affecting taxes, spending cuts and other policy changes that are particularly relevant to financial planning.
Warning Shots
This week's economic data painted a picture of an economy caught between competing forces, with implications that are keeping Fed officials on edge. While June's CPI report showed inflation ticking up to 2.7% annually from May's 2.4%, there were encouraging signs beneath the surface, with vehicle prices falling during the month and shelter prices rising at their slowest pace in years.
Serve with Confidence: Fortifying Your Personal Protections on a Nonprofit Board
For many people, serving on a nonprofit board is a rewarding experience. It’s a chance to lend expertise, guide strategy and contribute meaningfully to a cause they believe in.
Goldilocks Yields
Bond yields, and specifically yields on U.S. treasuries, are a great barometer for the overall U.S. economy and to a lesser extent, the global economy. Chief among all the debt issued by the U.S. government is the 10-year Treasury, whose yield is one of the most closely followed indicators in global financial markets.
Red, White and Blue Labor Market? Hardly.
Summer is in full swing, and many will observe the 4th of July this weekend with family, friends and traditions. For those planning to celebrate, I hope the holiday weekend is filled with pleasant weather and unforgettable memories with the people who matter most. However, for many, the week isn’t over yet.
Outlook and Insight Third Quarter 2025
A Long, Evolving History with Institutional Clients
In 1975, the founders of Ferguson Wellman saw an opportunity to manage money for workers, setting the stage for a 50-year, evolving relationship with our institutional clients.
Preparing for Fire Season and Other Potential Risks
What are the chances that two employees at Ferguson Wellman have parents who lost their homes in wildfires?
Why Clear Financial Goals Matter in Retirement Planning
Retirement represents the achievement of financial stability and being able to choose whether or not to work, a goal many of us share.
Navigating the Retirement Shift
Retirement is a milestone most people spend decades planning for, ensuring they have a strong financial foundation to support their ideal retirement lifestyle.
Retail Therapy
The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has been pervasive in 2025.
Actions Over Words
With the S&P 500 tumbling 18% in April from its February high, and subsequently rallying back to an all-time high, the second quarter was a wild rollercoaster for investors.
Estate Tax Considerations
Estate tax has been a highly debated topic in Congress for years. With the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, and the ongoing discussions on extending certain provisions, estate tax is again on the short list for debate.
All Eyes on Employment
Last weekend, I caught up with a childhood friend working as a graphic designer. While discussing our respective careers and industries, he mentioned the difficulty his colleagues were having in finding jobs in their field, an experience that seemed to contradict the positive U.S. employment statistics reported earlier in the year. This week, both he and investors anxiously awaited the release of several related reports, hoping to gain a better understanding of the current state of the labor market and its recent shifts.
May Flowers
As the final days of May unfold, American consumers are feeling notably more optimistic. After several months of declining sentiment, the latest consumer confidence data showed a strong rebound from an almost five-year low, with the increase largely attributed to easing trade tensions.
Big, Beautiful Bond Yields
Over the last few weeks investors have put upward pressure on bond yields for a variety of reasons. First, the U.S. treasury lost its last AAA rating when Moody’s downgraded United States debt to AA.
Muni Moment: Why Yields Are Attractive Now
For investors seeking income and a source of portfolio stability, municipal bonds present a compelling option. These debt instruments are issued by cities, states and local governments across the United States to finance public projects such as schools, roads and utilities.