We present our third quarter 2023 Investment Strategy Update video titled, “Standing Eight Count.”
Manic Frustration
Over the last 18 months we have seen the tale of two markets. Looking at returns through June, large-cap growth stocks have driven returns resulting in the S&P 500 returning just under 17%. However, a slice of the market which is lagging meaningfully is dividend-paying stocks. Looking at a basket of dividend ETFs through June, returns are a paltry -2%.
Celebrating 10 Years: West Bearing Investments
Third Quarter 2023 Wealth Management Insights: An Empowered and Secure Retirement
Presenting the third quarter 2023 publication of Wealth Management Insights titled, “An Empowered and Secure Retirement.”
Third Quarter 2023 Market Letter: Standing Eight Count
The Labor Market Holds the Key
The lead story from the stock market this year may well be the outperformance of a narrow and select group of technology companies, however the leading economic story this year may be the surprising resilience of the U.S. economy in the face of the Federal Reserve’s concerted effort to rein in growth via higher interest rates.
First Half Fireworks
The midpoint of 2023 coincides with the celebration of the 247th anniversary of our independence. Just like the Fourth of July fireworks we will see over the next week, the capital markets have begun the year with a bang.
2023 Mid-Year Update Video
In spring 2023, members of our team have hosted events throughout the Pacific and Inland Northwest. Following our “tour,” we created a video of our presentation for clients who missed an event or don’t reside in the Northwest.
Thematic Investing in Artificial Intelligence
“Have you used ChatGPT?” Wherever I go, whatever the context, I keep getting this same question. Clearly, the excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) is real… look at the stock market.
Lago on KOIN Wallet Wednesday
Hop, Skip and a Jump?
At Ferguson Wellman, we are nearing the end of our Mid-Year Update events season, where we present updates to our yearly Investment Outlook and deepen our connections with clients and the community.
The Swiss Army Knife of Tax-Advantaged Accounts
One of the most powerful savings vehicles for health care costs is the Health Savings Account (HSA), a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pretax basis to pay for healthcare expenses. Funds in an HSA grow tax-deferred and come out tax free when used for qualified medical expenses such as Medicare Part B and D premiums, vision and dental care expenses and qualified long-term care insurance premiums up to certain limits.
Pahlow on KOIN Wallet Wednesday
Changing of the Guard
In an otherwise quiet week on Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 turned the page on one of its longest-running bear markets. Rebounding by over 20% from its October lows, the blue-chip index has officially surpassed the threshold marking a new bull market. What is notable about the advance from last fall’s lows is how few stocks have participated in the upturn.
2022 Annual Report
Puget Sound Business Journal Names Ferguson Wellman to Wealth and Asset Management List
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and West Bearing Investments were recently named by Puget Sound Business Journal to their Seattle-area Wealth and Asset Management Firms list.
Better Late Than Never
On Wednesday, days before the U.S. is projected to run out of money to pay its bills, the House passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in a bipartisan effort. The final vote of 314- 177 received support from 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats. With both sides making concessions, it’s not surprising to see members of each party voicing their displeasure with the deal.
Debt Drama Update
Many people believe the world’s largest and most important economy is on the brink of default. Indeed, politicians generally do a disservice by pushing their agenda until the last minute and then lose the trust of their constituents and investors. However, negotiations on the debt ceiling have improved over the last few days and the risk of default has decreased.
A Nifty Fifty Redux?
According to headlines and news pundits, it is a near certainty that the U.S. is very close to entering a recession (reminder: economists have successfully predicted nine of the last five recessions). Despite this, to date, the S&P 500 has posted a positive return of about 9% this year.
Solutions for Excess Funds in a 529 Education Savings Plan
We recently wrote about strategies for funding education needs in our wealth management Insights Newsletter. Occasionally, we learn that a client has successfully saved and built wealth for education inside a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan, only to find themselves with funds left over. Luckily, there is good news – your savings aren’t trapped. There are several options for transferring or withdrawing funds from a 529 plan when they are no longer needed for the current beneficiary’s education.