Free pizza may have been part of the draw, but Scott Christianson recounts his involvement at Oregon State's Investment Group during his time as an undergraduate as pivotal in shaping his future.
Scott Christianson, CFP®, in Business Matters
A Different Type of Housing Crisis
In recent months, we have received a number of questions from clients regarding the possibility of another housing crisis. While we do not see a housing crash like the one experienced in 2008, there is a different type of disruption in the residential real estate market.
Ferguson Wellman Recognized as a Most Admired Company by Portland Business Journal
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management has been named by Portland Business Journal as a “most admired company” of the year. Of the 26 financial services companies listed, Ferguson Wellman was ranked fourth, moving up five spots from nine in 2022.
'Tis the Season for Tradition
On December 1, we gather as a firm to commemorate and pay homage to the founders of Ferguson Wellman. We reflect on those who came before us and celebrate our shared vision for the future – we cherish this tradition and look forward to it every year. Traditions like this are an integral part of the holiday season, which officially kicked off with the year’s busiest shopping weekend. The number of Black Friday and Cyber Monday commercials, promotions and emails were staggering, but did consumers take the bait?
Giving Thanks (And Talking Drama)
The holiday-shortened week was chock full of drama … all centered around both the market’s current mania (artificial intelligence) and the market’s favorite pandemic era mania (cryptocurrency). A strong third quarter earnings season, favorable inflation data and a moderation of long-term interest rates have all contributed to a stellar month for the stock market which is now within 5% of its all-time high, which was reached in December 2021. We will all be giving thanks if recent momentum continues into the end of the year.
Congratulations on the Newest Member of Your Family
With the addition of a new family member, we are often asked what further steps should be taken, and what should be done to prepare. In the same way you prepare the nursery or child’s room, there are financial considerations worthy of attention.
InvestmentNews Magazine Names Ferguson Wellman to Top Regional Fee-Only RIAs List
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management has been named by InvestmentNews to its “Top Regional Fee-Only RIAs in the West” list, ranking 11 out of 25 advisers.
Early Holiday Cheer
Further evidence of slowing inflation amid moderating retail sales lent additional credence to the economic soft landing narrative this week, exactly 18 months after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates to combat high prices. Meanwhile, retailers book-ended third quarter earnings season in generally encouraging fashion, putting finishing touches on a surprisingly upbeat reporting period that now tallies positive revenue growth for the S&P 500 and over 6% earnings per share expansion.
Not So Fast, My Friend
As we enter the final stretch of the college football season, the quote, “Not so fast, my friend,” from ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Lee Corso, accurately captures the week’s capital markets events. After a weaker-than-expected October jobs report and the U.S. Federal Reserve leaving rates unchanged, investors are confident the Fed is done raising interest rates and have quickly shifted their sights to the first rate cut.
More Gas, Same Brakes
This past week’s plethora of economic and market-moving data, especially regarding interest rates, has served to highlight the sometimes-conflicting forces at work in the U.S. economy. While the Federal Reserve maintained their interest rate policy at 22-year highs on Wednesday, we also learned the U.S. government’s budget deficit grew to nearly $2 trillion in their most recent fiscal year.
Tips for Staying Secure Online
Michael Garcia, Ferguson Wellman's chief technology officer, offers tips for keeping information secure when online.
Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing Recognized at Corporate Philanthropy Awards
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and West Bearing Investments have been named by Portland Business Journal as a leader in corporate philanthropy in Oregon and southwest Washington.
Mixed Signals
Spooky season was in full force this week with contradictory messages from the economy versus the stock market. The week was chock-full of news with over 40% of the S&P 500 market capitalization reporting third quarter earnings, the release of third quarter economic growth, and finally, fresh data on the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index.
Ferguson Wellman 73 on Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms List for 2023
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management was listed 73 out of 100 in the U.S. on Barron’s* annual “2023 Top 100 RIA Firms” list and in The Wall Street Journal.* Ferguson Wellman is the only registered investment advisory (RIA) firm recognized in Oregon.
Rates and Rates
The 10-year U.S. Treasury touched 5% earlier this week, the first time since 2007. By the end of the week, yields had settled at 4.9%, representing a significant increase from the rates of 3.7% on January 1. In the world of “bond math,” bond values fall when rates rise. Therefore, bond returns, as measured by the Bloomberg Aggregate Index, are down over 3% this year.
Wealth Management Insights Forum: Impactful Planning through Life's Phases
We present the recording of the “Wealth Management Insights Forum: Impactful Planning through Life’s Phases.”
Staying Organized: Managing an Efficient Relationship with Your Tax Professional
With a complex and ever-changing tax and financial landscape, individuals and businesses rely heavily on the expertise of tax professionals, including Certified Public Accountants and Enrolled Agents, to manage their financial affairs, ensure compliance with tax laws and make informed financial decisions.
Augmenting Intelligence
Earlier this week we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the 2022 stock market bottom. At that time, inflation was hitting multi-decade highs while 100% of economists surveyed by Bloomberg were forecasting a recession within 12 months. Fortunately, the U.S. economy has held up better than expected, resulting in a strong bounceback in stocks.
King Dollar and the Bond Vigilantes
Last week, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield reached 4.8%, the highest since June 2007. Bonds reached another milestone last week when the aggregate bond index posted its 38 consecutive monthly drawdown, marking this the longest bond bear market on record. The specific forces pulling the levers of the bond market are numerous, and the math is complex.
Investment Strategy Video: Inflation's Flame Flickers
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.