By Brad Houle, CFA Ferguson Wellman, Oregon Capital Management firm On Wednesday this week the S&P 500 plunged by 3 percent on cumulative fears of slowing economic and earnings growth as well as concerns of a slowdown in China and the Federal Reserve being too aggressive in increasing short-term interest […]

National Retail Federation, Almost all U.S. consumers are value-conscious shoppers who regularly visit discount retailers to find a bargain, according to the latest issue of the quarterly Consumer View report released by the National Retail Federation. “Looking for the best price is a habit that cuts across almost every demographic,” […]

By Josh Lehner Oregon Office of Economic Analysis Three years ago our office asked “Is 2015 Peak Renter?” We laid out a straightforward case examining the three main underlying drivers for the shift into rentership over the previous decade: household finances, demographics, and preferences and tastes. The question was not […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, The Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority are seeking to raise $830 million in new sin taxes next year by paying higher taxes for their cigarettes, beer, and wine.   The tax would be be massive hit to consumers pocketbook and would seriously hurt […]

US Attorney, Oregon district Press Release, Brenda Roberts, 54, of Troutdale, Oregon, was sentenced to six months’ probation and 40 hours of community service for illegally purchasing foreign-sourced Botox and Juvaderm on the internet and administering both to patients in her home. “Purchasing foreign-sourced and unapproved drugs and devices on […]

By Oregon Business & Industry As part of a presentation to the House Revenue and Senate Finance Committees on September 25 and 26, during Legislative Days, Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) officials said that some employees could face surprises when filing their next tax returns because of changes in federal […]

By NFIB, A record net 37 percent of owners reported raising overall compensation in hopes of hiring and retaining employees in the tight labor market, according to NFIB’s monthly jobs report, released today. This surpasses the previous record of a net 35 percent in May 2018. The competition for qualified […]

By Damon Runberg Oregon Employment Department Wages in Oregon have been on the rise over the past three years. From fourth quarter 2014 to fourth quarter 2017, the quarterly average wage (smoothed and adjusted for inflation) rose by around 6.7 percent (+$800 per quarter). This is seemingly good news, right? […]

By the Tax Foundation Since 1927 Key Findings – Portland, Oregon, is considering Measure 26-201 which, if adopted, would create a 1 percent gross receipts tax within the city limit. – The tax would apply to retailers with more than $1 billion in national sales and $500,000 in Portland-specific sales. […]

By Jim Miller, Here are eight unique voices on the various contributions Paul Allen made to the nation. How Paul Allen kept the Seahawks in Seattle From the Seattle Post Intelegencer “In 1997, only one person was willing to take the risk of owning an NFL team when the roof […]