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.”
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.
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.
For the first time in nine months, the Federal Reserve approved a quarter-point interest rate cut on Wednesday, bringing the Fed funds target range between 4.0 and 4.25%. The rate cut was widely expected, resulting in minimal market reaction after the announcement—unsurprising, given the strong rally in stocks and bonds leading up to this week.
As part of the modernization of the federal government and with a goal of improving efficiency and reducing fraud, the president signed an executive order on March 25 to phase out the use of paper checks by the U.S. government.
This week has left many wondering how all the puzzle pieces fit together. On one hand, we have a clear weakening in the labor market, yet the stock market continues to soar to new all-time highs. Toss in some mixed inflation reports and that may leave some questioning if a few of the puzzle pieces are missing from the box.
PORTLAND, Ore.—(Businesswire)—Homeowners in areas around the U.S. continue to face the threat of natural disasters as wildfire, flood, and hurricane seasons converge in late summer and fall months. Beyond immediate safety concerns, the financial aftermath of natural disasters can be devastating.
Just as the three most important considerations for real estate investors are “Location, Location, Location,” the three things both markets and policymakers were focused on this week were “Jobs, Jobs, and more Jobs” … or fewer jobs as it turned out, with today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Federal Reserve’s independence is a cornerstone of U.S. financial stability. It underpins confidence in Treasury markets, the world’s deepest and most liquid, and supports the U.S. dollar’s role as the global reserve currency. Recent actions and statements from the White House, however, have stirred a debate over that independence and prompted a reasonable investor question: Will markets react to politics, or will they continue to focus on the data?
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.
Over the last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) released several data points highlighting some weakness in the jobs market.
This week delivered an unprecedented convergence of critical market-moving events that tested investors' ability to parse signal from noise.
Congress recently approved, and the President signed, new legislation affecting taxes, spending cuts and other policy changes that are particularly relevant to financial planning.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
