Lagniappe

This week, we have a very special guest, Johnny Giavotella, a childhood friend of Greg & Doug Stokes and a former Major League Baseball player. The guys discuss Johnny’s career at the University of New Orleans and in the Majors, and his new role as the General Manager of the UNO baseball team, where he's navigating this new world of the transfer portal, NIL, and kids specializing in one sport. Key...

Ceasefire talks are ongoing, the Strait of Hormuz is open, and the market is bouncing back. Doug and Greg will discuss whether the market has hit the bottom. They explore the larger implications of recent events in the Middle East, the impact of social media on investor sentiment, and the resilience of the consumer market. The conversation also touches on the SpaceX IPO and the bullish potential f...

Today, Doug and Greg speak with Phil Huber, the Head of Portfolio Solutions at Cliffwater. In this timely discussion, they’ll touch on the evolution, current state, and future outlook of private credit, including its origins, growth, and how it compares to other asset classes.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - Introduction to private credit and Phil Huber [10:18] - Why has there been so much growth in priv...

Somehow, three months have already come and gone, and what a quarter it was. Doug and Greg give updates on the market’s turbulent reaction to the Iran conflict with a hopeful outlook for Q2. They also touch on getting back to business as usual, discussing the SpaceX IPO, interest rate expectations, and corporate efficiency movements.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - Market turbulence since the Iran confli...

This week, Greg and Doug Stokes discuss how the market is reacting to nearly a month of the Iran conflict and the potential for an impending diplomatic solution. They also analyze timing the stock market’s worst and best days, gold’s safe-haven status, the long-term inflation outlook, and investment strategies for navigating volatility. Key Takeaways [00:17] - US-Iran negotiation and diplomatic si...

Greg and Doug Stokes analyze the recent escalation in the Middle East, the impact on global markets, how oil could affect inflation, and what lessons we’ve learned so far. They also dig into the role that finance media and social media play in promoting fear when the market is barely off all-time highs.   Key Takeaways [00:17] - An update on the Iran conflict [05:32] - Normal volatility and the me...

After ten days of conflict involving Iran and the broader Middle East, the Stokes brothers break down the impact on global oil markets, where prices surged and then retreated during a volatile week. They also explore the political ramifications abroad and at home, along with how the unfolding events may influence consumer sentiment and economic outlook. Key Takeaways [00:17] - The oil effect of th...

Greg and Doug analyze the recent escalation in Iran-US-Israel tensions, discussing modern military actions, market reactions, and future implications. They also break down how geopolitical shocks affect asset classes and the potential long-term outcomes of this conflict. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Reactions to the military operations in Iran [05:30] - Breaking down asset class performance [10:16] - O...

After an AI doomsday report shook Wall Street, Doug and Greg Stokes break down how they see the future of work and AI playing out and why a diversified portfolio is the measured response to charlatan predictions. They also examine private credit trends and the real estate market as mortgage rates continue to fall, as well as the potential of corresponding headwinds to disinflation.  Key Takeaways...

On Muses Thursday in New Orleans, Doug and Greg Stokes look at declining rental prices and forward-looking real estate value, and make predictions for what this data means for rate cuts. The guys also discuss human behavior with prediction markets, the current and future outlook for cryptocurrency, and the contrasting performance of old-world versus new-world companies. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Ren...

This week, we’re celebrating Family Gras weekend in New Orleans and our 200th episode! Doug and Greg delve into the recent volatility in the stock market, particularly concerning technology companies, and how AI efficiency is benefiting old-school industries.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - Kicking off Family Gras weekend in New Orleans [01:25] - Market volatility and a sentiment shift  [05:09] - How AI...

This week, Doug and Greg Stokes look at the year-over-year shift in market dynamics, from large-cap US stocks to commodities and consumer staples. They also discuss earnings news, particularly involving Microsoft, Meta, and AI spend. And as international stocks and emerging markets have success, they continue to beat the drum for long-term diversification.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - Asset class shif...

Greg and Doug Stokes discuss the most recent news surrounding Greenland, tariffs, and whether or not it’s all a smoke screen for acquiring rare earths. They also delve into the rise of Chinese automotive companies, the performance of small caps, the dynamics of interest rates and inflation, and the Federal Reserve's future and its impact on the economy. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Greenland’s rare ear...

We’re kicking off Mardi Gras season here in New Orleans with another episode of the Lagniappe Podcast. Doug and Greg discuss the impact of recent geopolitical events on the markets and the potential for military engagement with Iran. They also explore the implications of Federal Reserve independence on market dynamics and explain why this isn’t an AI bubble, and end with a bearish outlook on Ameri...

It’s the first episode of the Lagniappe Podcast in 2026, kicking off year 5 of our weekly conversations. This week, Greg and Doug break down the military extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela, analyzing the operation’s implications on the economy, U.S. foreign policy, and the wider geopolitical landscape. They then turn their attention to what they expect to be coming down the market pike in...

In this Holiday edition of the Lagnaippe Podcast, Greg and Doug Stokes discuss the biggest economic trends of 2025, including the rally in precious metals, the volatility of Bitcoin, and the resilience of the US economy/consumer. They explore the impact of AI on inflation and productivity, normal market behavior, excitement for the bond market, the importance of keeping an even keel, and what’s co...

As we approach the end of 2025, Greg and Doug reflect on recent market volatility, particularly in the AI sector. They also discuss predictions from last year and the upcoming year, including trends in electric vehicles and potential geopolitical conflicts, and break down the economic environment that usually accompanies the bursting of bubbles.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - An AI reset [03:33] - Ford...

It’s been a busy week in the markets. Doug & Greg jump in with the big news of SpaceX’s potential IPO in 2026 and what that could mean for next year’s blow-off top. They also discuss the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut, which came with rare dissenters, and how politics is playing a part. They finish with the implications of private equity on college sports’ ever-changing NIL landscape. Key Takea...

Doug and Greg are back after a Holiday break. They continue the weekly AI conversation with 2026 predictions, potential IPOs, and Google’s rising market strength. They also discuss recent geopolitical events in Venezuela and the strategic U.S. interests in the region, amidst rising tensions with China. Key Takeaways [00:16] - Our predictions on the AI bubble in 2026 [06:08] - Google's resurgence i...

In this week-before-Thanksgiving episode, Doug and Greg Stokes guess what we’ll be discussing around the dinner table next week. They combat the negativity/bubble talk and break down why we’re not in a euphoric period. They also examine historical data on normal, small market corrections, the life and cost-saving data on autonomous driving, and the productivity gains/cost reduction that will come...

Greg and Doug Stokes discuss the recent end of the government shutdown and the market rally that followed. They also check in on the narrative that the Magnificent 7 is carrying the market, the need to cut real estate red tape, and a financial reality check for AI. They finish by diving into the concept of 'inflection bubbles' and how speculative investments can coordinate future growth. Key Takea...

After lamenting the struggles of our local sports teams, Doug and Greg delve into the New York City mayoral results and the economic implications. The conversation shifts to economic updates, including jobs, inflation, interest rates, and housing. The guys finish by looking at what history tells us about bear markets, recessions, and long-term strategies.  Key Takeaways [01:45] - The economic them...

In this Halloween week edition of Lagniappe, Greg and Doug discuss market momentum following the Fed’s latest rate cut, a thaw in U.S.–China trade tensions, and standout corporate earnings. They explore how AI-driven productivity is reshaping the labor market, from tech layoffs to rising demand for skilled trades, and close with reflections on political undercurrents and industry innovation cycles...

We continue our weekly trend of talking about markets hovering around all-time highs and the AI revolution. We start with what’s driving the positivity in the bond and stock markets and what the rent growth numbers tell us about the direction of inflation. We then shift to discussing the energy demand needed for this massive AI build-out, plus the derivatives that come along with this unprecedente...

This week, Greg and Doug focus on foreign policy, most notably the looming China Trade War, and why the markets remain relatively unfazed. They also discuss the anticipation of lower interest rates, the Fed’s dual mandate, America’s AI domination, and optimism for another era of technological innovation that will lead to prosperity, despite short-term disruptions. Key Takeaways [00:17] - The marke...