Vista Capital Partners

12/24/2025

Retirement isn’t the end of a career. It’s the start of a new chapter.

The most fulfilling next chapters aren’t guided by financial readiness alone—but by purpose. When working, learning, connection, giving, and leisure are thoughtfully present, life feels balanced and meaningful.

At Vista, The Purpose Project helps clients design that balance—at any stage of career or retirement.

If you’re thinking about what comes next, we’d be honored to share it with you.

👉 Reach out to Vista to learn more. Read the full article here: https://vistacp.com/blog/the-purpose-project-designing-your-best-life/

12/15/2025

‘Tis the season for capital-gain distributions—those unwelcome fund surprises which can show up whether you’ve traded or not. Across the fund industry this year, despite celebratory returns in most asset classes, many investors will be writing checks to the IRS for gains they didn’t realize.

But not at Vista.

For 2025, the stock mutual funds we favor will distribute 0% in capital gains—zero short-term and zero long-term. Meanwhile, the average fund is expected to hand investors taxable distributions averaging 0.1% in short-term gains and 3.3% in long-term gains.

👉 Get more insights from Lindsey Williams, Vista's Chief Client Officer & Lead Advisor, in her article titled: When a “zero” is a win

‘Tis the season for capital-gain distributions—those unwelcome fund surprises which can show up whether you’ve traded or not. Across the fund industry this year, despite celebratory returns in most asset classes, many investors will be writing checks to the IRS for gains they didn’t realize....

12/03/2025

✨ Gold’s Glitter vs. Real Growth

Gold has surged more than 50% this year, recently topping $4,300 an ounce. But history reminds us that shine doesn’t always equal strength.

Since 1972, gold has outpaced inflation (“real growth”) in just 55% of rolling 10-year periods. Compare that to:

📈 U.S. stocks – 92%
🏢 Real estate investment trusts (REITs) – 100%
💵 U.S. Treasury bonds – 88%

While gold simply sits there, investment assets—businesses, real estate, and bonds—are expected to generate real profits, rents, and interest.

At Vista, we believe in fundamental sources of expected return, not speculation on what glitters the most.

Read the full article here:

Gold has surged more than 50% this year, topping $4,300 an ounce in mid-October. But before declaring a new golden era, investors should remember history’s humbling lessons. After peaking in 1979 amid runaway inflation, gold languished for 28 years before eclipsing that prior high. Again in 2011, ...

09/30/2025

As workplace open enrollment begins, now’s the time to make benefit choices that affect not just your health coverage, but your taxes and take-home pay in 2026. In our latest post, Doug Post, CFP®, walks through the key trade-offs and smart choices you should evaluate.

Here are a few highlights:
💡 HDHP vs. traditional plans — Lower premiums vs. higher out-of-pocket costs: which fits your expected health spending?

🏦 HSAs and their triple tax advantage — Contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred, and qualified medical withdrawals are tax-free.

👶 Dependent care FSAs — With the 2026 cap potentially rising, this remains a tool worth reviewing if you have childcare or after-school obligations.

💼 Deferred compensation options — Some employers let you defer salary or incentives — a powerful tool, if it fits your broader financial plan.

📋 Your open enrollment checklist — The post includes a handy “to-do” list: review last year’s expenses, confirm contribution limits, use leftover FSA funds, check deferred comp opportunities, etc.

➡️ Read the full article: Benefit elections 2026: Choose wisely during workplace open enrollment
https://vistacp.com/blog/benefit-elections-2026-choose-wisely-during-workplace-open-enrollment/

09/29/2025

Today’s “democratization” of alternatives (private equity, private credit, etc.) is tempting: Wall Street increasingly markets them as institutional-grade opportunities for the average investor. But is access enough?

In our latest blog, Dougal Williams, CFA dives into why alternatives may be ill-suited for most investors:

🕰 Illiquidity trade-offs — tying up capital for years with restricted withdrawal options

🔍 Opaque valuations — models and appraisals replace frequent market pricing, masking real performance

💼 Misaligned incentives — fees and conflicts can make alternatives more of a revenue engine than a value engine

The bottom line? True portfolio strength comes from liquidity, transparency, low cost, and broad diversification — not the allure of being “in” on the next private deal.

➡️ Read more: The Illusion of Access: Why Alternatives Don’t Belong in Everyday Portfolios

https://vistacp.com/blog/the-illusion-of-access-why-alternatives-dont-belong-in-everyday-portfolios/

09/22/2025

We’re proud to be included in the Portland Business Journal's “Wealth Edition” as one of the top Wealth Management Firms in Portland & S.W. Washington.

Plus, our CEO Dougal Williams, CFA shares why independence still matters and a reminder that as consolidation sweeps the wealth management industry, Vista Capital Partners remains proudly independent, 100% employee-owned, and rooted in Oregon for 25 years. 🌲

Independence means we put clients first—always!

Read more in the Portland Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/digital-edition/issue/43641

09/04/2025

We’re honored to share that Vista Capital Partners has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Portland Business Journal!

This recognition is a reflection of our incredible team and the supportive, collaborative culture they’ve built together. At Vista, we believe that when our people thrive, our clients thrive too.

Thank you to our amazing employees—you’re what makes Vista such a special place to work! 💙

08/26/2025

Think the predictability of individual bonds always wins? Think again.

In our latest post, Rob Greenman, CFP®, debunks the “principal at maturity” myth and explains why bond funds, with their diversified holdings, transparent costs, and professional management, often deliver more value than individual bond ladders. He shows how economies of scale and better risk management can make a real difference, and why comfort can be costly if it comes at the expense of sound economics.

Curious why bond funds may outshine individual bonds even when rates rise? Click below to get the full story.

The case for bond funds over individual bonds: https://vistacp.com/blog/the-case-for-bond-funds-over-individual-bonds/

08/25/2025

College athletes earned $917 million in NIL payments in 2024-25. That’s life-changing money for thousands of student-athletes. But are they prepared for the financial responsibilities that come with it?

As a former D1 athlete and Vista advisor, TJ Daniel knows firsthand that athletic careers are unpredictable—but smart financial planning doesn’t have to be.

In our latest blog, TJ teams up with Notre Dame volleyball player and Vista summer intern, Maisie Alexander, to explore how the discipline learned on the court can translate to building lasting wealth beyond your playing days.

Read more: https://vistacp.com/blog/the-student-athletes-financial-game-plan/