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?

Each year, central bankers, finance ministers and academics gather in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for an economic policy symposium (or boondoggle, whichever you prefer).

Umbrella insurance is one of the most commonly misunderstood and overlooked types of insurance coverage available. This form of liability coverage sits on top of your existing auto, homeowners or watercraft policies and is designed as an additional layer of protection from large claims that exceed your standard policy limits.

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.

To recognize this milestone anniversary, Ferguson Wellman is launching a new initiative to promote more financial education and literacy.

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.

Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFAM was on KOIN AM Extra's Wallet Wednesday to discuss disaster preparedness and preparing your finances.

In this quarter’s Wealth Management Insights video, "Navigating the Retirement Shift," Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, discusses the multifaceted journey of retirement and highlights the need for thoughtful preparation to ensure a fulfilling retirement.

Despite a somewhat quiet week from an economic data perspective, capital markets were anything but. A steady drip of news about home sales, second-quarter company earnings updates and new trade deals provided investors with plenty to digest ahead of next week’s much-busier economic news cycle.

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.

In this quarter’s investment strategy video, "Actions Over Words," George Hosfield, CFA, delves into the disconnect between consumer sentiment and actual economic behavior. Despite low consumer confidence, retail sales are soaring and the labor market is stabilizing.

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.

What are the chances that two employees at Ferguson Wellman have parents who lost their homes in wildfires?

Retirement represents the achievement of financial stability and being able to choose whether or not to work, a goal many of us share.

Retirement is a milestone most people spend decades planning for, ensuring they have a strong financial foundation to support their ideal retirement lifestyle.

The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has been pervasive in 2025.

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.

There’s a common belief that most of the U.S. national debt is owned by foreign countries—especially China. But the reality is far more nuanced, with most of the debt being held domestically. As of December 2024, the total U.S. national debt stood at $36.1 trillion. That number includes two main parts: debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings. The public portion—about $28.8 trillion—is what really matters when we talk about who owns U.S. debt. The rest, around $7.3 trillion, is money the government owes itself, such as social security and Medicare trust funds. 

The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has intensified throughout 2025. Both military and trade wars continue to simmer as political divisions widen. The cumulative weight of inflation, coupled with concerns about the U.S. fiscal situation and interest rates that remain higher than their pre-COVID levels, all contribute to a collective unease. The alarmist tone of much of the media only serves to amplify these anxieties, creating a climate where apprehension seems to be the default setting. 

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.

For four consecutive months, economists have predicted that U.S. inflation would surge, largely due to President Trump's trade policies and the anticipated economic impact of his tariffs.

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.

Tariffs have long been used globally to support local industries by incentivizing citizens to purchase domestically made products. At the turn of the 20th century, tariffs were the primary source of tax revenue for many nations. Today, funding comes from income, payroll and corporate taxes. In the U.S., tariffs accounted for approximately 90% of federal income until the Civil War. After World War II, tariffs fell out of favor in developed economies because they often led to reduced trade, higher prices and retaliation from abroad.

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.