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.”
The West Bearing team has expanded, with the hiring of their third portfolio manager, Nathan Putnam. West Bearing recently surpassed $500 million assets under management and needed additional capacity to serve more clients.
In our Outlook 2022 publication titled "Extraordinary to Ordinary" we highlighted that more volatility would be a feature of 2022. Volatility was extraordinarily high in 2020 during the zenith of the COVID-19 crisis and well below average during the robust economic recovery of 2021. This year we expect an environment of more normal volatility.
The Federal Reserve has maintained near-zero interest rates for nearly two years, and by now, it is clear this extraordinary policy is no longer needed. Over the last several months, continued elevated inflation readings, coupled with a tightening labor market, have led the Fed to suggest rate hikes are coming both sooner and faster than previously expected.
For many owners, selling or transitioning their business often ranks as the most important financial decision of their lives. Not only is this decision often highly emotional, but many additional factors exist that require careful attention and evaluation.
Inflation was front and center this week with the release of the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Inflation of 7% Headline and 5.5% Core (ex Food and Energy) were in line with consensus expectations.
Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFA, discusses the theme for the first quarter of 2022, “Valuing the Resources of Time and Money.”
Santa Claus came in the waning days of December and brought his namesake rally. But as the calendar turned, Santa left, and the markets started the year with a stumble.
A key economic data point this week was a flashback to the 1960s with initial unemployment claims at 198,000, which are levels we haven’t seen since that decade.
The holidays are upon us, and at Ferguson Wellman, that means giving thanks, being grateful, staying humble and wishing for the best . And while we take the time to enjoy the festivities, we also keep one eye on the markets to see what lies ahead as the year closes. From now to the end of the year, market participants wait to see what rewards the “Santa Claus Rally” brings.
In one of the most anticipated weeks of monetary policymaking in recent memory, the Bank of England became the first major central bank to raise interest rates off the near-zero bound and the U.S. Federal Reserve laid the groundwork for such a move by proclaiming the impending conclusion of its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus program by next March.
With the hustle and bustle of the season around us, many are considering the good cheer they can share with others. For those of the mindset that it is better to give than receive, here are some guidelines on making financial gifts.
Americans are buying more than ever before. Despite supply actually surpassing above pre-COVID levels and dockworkers unloading ships as fast they can, the supply chain is unable to keep up with record consumer demand. Furthermore, the supply-demand gap may worsen as we head into the peak of holiday shopping season.
This week, volatility returned to capital markets due to the recent emergence of the Omicron variant. Initial reports indicate Omicron shows increased transmissibility and mild symptoms, a “mixed bag” of changes over Delta. And while it will be several weeks before we see a more accurate picture of its impact on human health, capital markets immediately responded with increased stock market volatility and lower interest rates.
After months of debate, President Biden chose to take the bipartisan route nominating Jerome Powell to serve a second four-year term as Federal Reserve Chairman.
This week, President Joe Biden is expected to announce his choice of Federal Reserve chair. The two favorites are the incumbent Jerome Powell and current Fed governor Lael Brainard. Within the last several weeks, odds showed that Chair Powell was a shoe-in. But more recent indications show Brainard’s favorability increasing.
As we approach the hectic holiday season, we encourage you to pause and review your personal finances before we close the books on 2021.
