Lagniappe

This week, we’ll begin our year-in-review as the analyst forecasts for 2025 start rolling in. We’ll balance those predictions by examining the volatility of the S&P 500 and the market’s historical performance. We’ll also continue our cryptocurrency conversation by considering it a speculative asset similar to gold while so much of it has no utility. We end with a historical look at markets in year...

We’re bouncing around this week, starting with the recent surge in Bitcoin and market enthusiasm, although maybe not market-wide. We'll analyze valuations and dig into why the S&P 500's growth is largely driven by earnings and dividends. The conversation shifts to the comparison between US and international markets, highlighting the challenges faced by European economies and the growing wealth dis...

Doug and Greg Stokes begin this week's discussion with NVIDIA's recent earnings report, the ongoing AI race, and the implications of new data centers. They explore the characteristics of market bubbles, particularly in the context of AI and cryptocurrency, and analyze the performance of small-cap stocks versus large-cap tech. The conversation also touches on interest rates, economic policies, tari...

This week, Doug and Greg Stokes—Stokes Family Office Managing Partners—discuss market enthusiasm following the election, focusing on the rise of speculative assets like cryptocurrency and Tesla. They’ll delve into inflation picking back up and how it has influenced market performance recently and over the last four years. The conversation also looks back at historical market performance during pol...

Greg and Doug Stokes chat about the surprising results of the 2024 election, where Trump emerged victorious, and the implications of this outcome on the market and economic policies. They analyze polling accuracy, market reactions, and the potential for changes in tax policies and regulations. The discussion this week also covers the movements in various financial markets, including treasuries, st...

Less than a week from voting day, we’ll analyze the tight race and the historical context of market performance/reactions. We’ll also talk about the evolving role of AI in corporate America and how we can place value on it from an investment perspective. We’ll finish with a conversation on market seasonality and historical trends during election years. Key Takeaways [00:17] - New earnings/jobs rep...

This week, we’ll discuss the rapidly changing political landscape as the election approaches, focusing on how market predictions and betting trends reflect potential outcomes. We’ll analyze the implications of different presidential policies on market sectors, the relationship between economic growth and interest rates, and the long-term perspectives on investment strategies. We’ll finish by takin...

Greg and Doug look at polling data and betting markets marking a shift that could be happening in the race. They’ll also examine historical data that shows the party in power does not significantly impact market performance. The conversation then shifts to economic trends, highlighting the recent performance of small and mid-cap stocks and the resurgence of gold as a viable investment. Finally, th...

With updated CPI data in hand, Greg and Doug discuss the juxtaposition of market highs and inflationary effects on consumer behavior and sentiment. They’ll also analyze the current bull market and its future projections, interest rates, the evolving office market post-COVID, and of course, a weekly election update. Key Takeaways [01:04] - Strong economic growth vs. rising prices [04:41] - Election...

A lot is certainly happening all over the world. This week, we discuss the current geopolitical tensions, particularly focusing on the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and the subsequent reactions from Iran. We analyze the impact of these events on global oil prices and the stock market, highlighting the surprising resilience of the markets despite these tensions.  The conversation then shifts to the...

Doug and Greg discuss the recent 50 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve, analyzing its implications on the economy and the labor and real estate markets. They explore market reactions, economic indicators, and the bullish/bearish conversations around a soft or hard landing. They also touch on the ongoing hurricane season and its economic impact, as well as a weekly update on the upcoming e...

This week, Doug and Greg Stokes interview Kyle Bass, Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Hayman Capital Management, and a prominent macro strategist. They discuss the current economic landscape, the implications of Federal Reserve policies, the real estate market, and the geopolitical tensions surrounding China and Taiwan.  Bass provides insights into the economic challenges facing the U.S. and...

As we brace for the first hurricane of the season, we hope everyone in the storm’s path stays safe.  This week, Greg & Doug Stokes discuss what a soft landing for the market means and the challenges faced by urban areas and the commercial real estate industry. They also touch on the yield curve, Fed cuts, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election as we continue to emphasize the importance of not...

This week, we welcome on special guest Walker Moody, President of Pickering Energy Partners based out of Houston. He’ll educate us on the geopolitical ramifications on the energy sector, from wars to our elections. Walker also tells where he sees the future of energy transition heading—in terms of investment—and why Pickering is focused on upstream investments and looking toward longer time horizo...

With the news out of Jackson Hole signaling that the Fed is ready to make cuts, what happens now that we’re heading into a rate-cutting cycle outside of the realm of emergency cuts in a recession? We’ll dive into how that affects real estate and the economy as a whole, and we’ll discuss the seemingly closed IPO window and a revised jobs report. Key Takeaways [00:18] - An aura of “mission accomplis...

This week we had a fascinating chat with Evan Loomis, General Partner at Overmatch and Founder of ICON.  We discuss investing in our defense and how the U.S. strategy is moving from big to small and from expensive to cheap. He’ll also educate us on our weak spots, how we compare to Russia and China, and how autonomous weapons and surveillance vehicles keep our brightest servicemen and women out of...

After seeing a 10% correction, the markets are knocking on the door again near record levels. It's never boring, and that’s why we love these weekly dialogues with you. We’ll also chat about what Chevron’s new drilling tech, the Super Bowl, and hurricanes mean for our local economy, and we’ll end —as we seemingly always do—with where we think rates are going.  Key Takeaways [00:18] - Walmart, Amaz...

What a week! Morgan Housel called this the biggest market decline since the last one you don't remember or care about. With talk of a flash crash happening and a recession looming, we’ll look at how Warren Buffet, Apple, and Japanese Yen played into a crazy ride over the past few days. We’ll also discuss historical market corrections and how the labor market has constantly evolved throughout histo...

There is a lot happening! Doug and Greg are back solo this week to talk about the markets. We’ll examine the affordability and performance of stocks outside of the Magnificent Seven. We’ll also look at AI and ask if the bubble has peaked and when can we expect to see a return on the massive investment. We’ll finish with a future-facing eye on a potential Kamala Harris tax agenda and why you should...

We’re pleased to welcome Jordan Strebeck, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Fortress Energy, to the Lagniappe Podcast. Jordan walks us through his background, from New Mexico to Harvard to Midland, and why he chose to focus on minerals. We’ll talk about how technology and technique have changed the Permian Basin and the energy sector as a whole and discuss ESG, a narrative shift in the oil and ga...

We sat down for a fascinating conversation with Permanent Equity Founder and CEO, Brent Beshore. Brent is a pioneer in the micro private equity space so we loved picking his brain on how/why he created PE’s unique model, their risks/competition, how he finds businesses, and where he sees the private equity industry heading over the next 10 years. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Getting to know Brent Besho...

Happy Independence Day to you and your family. To commemorate the holiday, we’ll share what America means to us and reflect on how good we’ve got it. On the flip side, we’ll look at the aftermath of last week’s debate and the odds on what happens next. We’ll also discuss our expectations for rate cuts and the economic impact of Ozempic-like drugs. Key Takeaways [03:17] - Fallout from the disaster...

It’s debate day in America! We’ll mark the occasion by examining election predictions and what either result could mean for the economy. We’ll also discuss American strength/resilience and why the data says we’re not in a debt doom spiral. We’ll finish with a Roger Federer mindset as we look under the financial hood and find long-term optimism. Key Takeaways [00:17] - On debate day, we look at wha...

This episode is all about where we are vs. where we thought we’d be as we near halftime of 2024. Are we surprised by no rate cuts? Could a bullish real estate environment be on the horizon? Why isn’t there more news/outcry over the bond markets? We’ll look back to answer these questions and look ahead to the buzz of big sporting events and elections coming soon.  Key Takeaways [00:17] - Looking ba...

As volatility makes a return to regional banking, we’ll look at what the markets are telling us about the probability of a soft landing. We then say goodbye to Siri and hello to Apple’s new AI features and discuss the ins and outs of NVIDIA’s stock split.  Key Takeaways [00:18] - PIMCO says more regional bank failures on property are expected [04:51] - Banking strategy and economic growth post-Fin...