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Episodes

80
Sept. 8, 2023

Fully Charged: A Deep Dive Into the Energy Sector

As we head into a big, energized sports weekend, we go all in on all things energy. From oil and gas stocks to the demand and performance of EVs, we’ll review where we’ve been and where we’re headed in the world of energy investing. Key Takeaways [02:45] - The current state of the oil market [04:41] - The demand for and price of electric cars [08:19] - Investing in oil companies and commodities in general over the last decade [12:17] - Will there be a re-rating on energy stocks? [15:07] - ...
79
Aug. 31, 2023

Jobs, GDP, Frozen Real Estate, & IPO Bubbles

As we head into Labor Day weekend, we fittingly look at the latest jobs report and the revised GDP numbers. We’ll also think location, location, location as we investigate the areas that are winning and losing the migration/real estate race. Finally, we’ll review some of our favorite COVID-era IPOs and wonder if the euphoria bubble is over for now. Key Takeaways [01:05] - Jobs report and the GDP data revision [06:28] - What does the frozen real estate market mean? [10:15] - Which US areas ar...
78
Aug. 26, 2023

Fed Symposium + Housing Market + Financial Superpowers

As the Federal Reserve hosts its annual conference out West in Jackson Hole, we’ll take a look at what Jerome Powell said and what they forecasted that they’ll do next. We also discuss how mortgage rates, cash buyers, and new builds are affecting the real estate market. We finish with Humble Dollar’s seven financial superpowers that can help you make, save, invest, and ultimately enjoy money. Key Takeaways [00:20] - Checking in on the Fed’s economic policy symposium [05:18] - Is there pent-up...
77
Aug. 17, 2023

Not Taking the Fear-Mongering Bait

After Michael Burry (of Big Short fame) made his crash prediction, we decided to go back through the success rate of his predictions. We then go abroad and take a look at the Chinese economy’s contraction, how Britain and our Mississippi neighbors are similar, and more insane sportswashing from Saudi Arabia. We’ll end with data on young homeowners and how coastal areas could take an even bigger real estate market hit. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Fearmongering from Michael Burry + the media [06:30...
76
Aug. 11, 2023

Doom & Gloom vs. Hype + UPS Drivers, Phil Mickelson & a Weekly Inflation Update

We start this week by looking at perma-bear prognosticators and on the flip side, the excitement and danger behind the hype of the “next big industry”. And staying on winners and losers, we’ll examine UPS drivers, the decline in petroleum interest, and Phil Mickelson’s eye-opening bets. We will, of course, finish with our weekly inflation update. Key Takeaways [00:17] - The doom-and-gloom-ers are back [07:49] - The winners and losers of darling tech companies [12:50] - It’s a good time to be...
75
Aug. 1, 2023

The Bear in the Rearview

As potentially positive economic factors pile up, we look at the market’s recovery, what’s factored into disinflation, and where we go from here. We’ll also examine two strategic competitions: oil vs electricity and real estate vs. the S&P 500. Key Takeaways [03:17] - The tailwinds of deflation [07:49] - Is our power grid ready for mass EV usage? [12:06] - Oil isn’t going anywhere [15:03] - Real estate investment compared to the S&P 500 Links Sam Ro: Everything looked good last week Barry...
74
July 20, 2023

It’s Earnings Season!

As performance numbers roll in from some of the country’s largest companies, we take a look at how the markets are performing here vs. the World and how America became a global economic leader. We also discuss how the market deals with intra-year volatility and check back in on Taylor Swift and Messi as market impactors. Key Takeaways [02:38] - Breaking down the latest earnings numbers [05:00] - How the markets move intra-year and year over year [07:17] - How the rest of the world is faring ...
73
July 13, 2023

The Goldilocks Scenario

This week, we look at what comes from cooling inflation paired with a resilient economy. With the latest inflation numbers in hand, we’ll examine how shelter impacts the numbers, visualize the staggering amount of empty office space, and try to explain what’s going on at Disney. Key Takeaways [00:18] - The latest inflation report and shelter’s role in the numbers [04:21] - What are the “experts” saying? [10:23] - The general economy vs. inflation [11:37] - The empty office conundrum [15:01...
72
July 8, 2023

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

As we wrap up the week, we take a look at the June jobs report and how it may affect the calls for recession and the Fed’s actions moving forward. We’ll also dissect movement in the electric vehicle, T-Bill, and housing markets and end with our takes on the great American summer blockbusters. Key Takeaways [00:27] - Looking at the newest jobs report [7:15] - T-Bill yields are at their highest in over two decades [10:34] - The implications of interest rates [11:06] - Teslas and the electric ...
71
June 30, 2023

Heading Into Halftime of 2023

As we trot into the locker room at the halfway point of this year, we examine the competing ideology of calls for a recession vs. declining inflation leading to a bull market. We’ll also look at the economy’s resiliency, how America is viewed across the world, and the unprecedented play of Shohei Ohtani. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Recapping the markets in the first half of this year [11:04] - Positive milestones in the rental markets [13:46] - The historical probability of market returns [14:5...
70
June 23, 2023

Betting on the U.S. Economy

This week, we start by discussing the biggest story in the news, the Titan Submersible tragedy. We’ll also look at the transformation of real estate and stock markets and examine the go-forward outlook of the U.S. economy vs. the World. Key Takeaways [00:22] - Recapping the Titan Submersible tragedy [07:25] - The most expensive U.S. cities to buy a house in 1930 [11:42] - The evolution of participation in the stock market [17:57] - Shifting from a historical to a current look at the markets...
69
June 16, 2023

Jerome Powell, Elon Musk, and Indiana Jones

We discuss the new CPI data, look back at what the experts predicted, and hopefully put the Fed conversation to rest. We’ll also talk about the potential fading of oil demand and ESG importance, and close with our favorite Indiana Jones movies. Key Takeaways [01:00] - Summarizing inflation data and the Fed’s reaction [05:15] - Did experts see this coming? [14:42] - Are we about to see oil demand begin to tamper? [20:49] - Tesla, Bud Light, and the importance of ESG scores/public opinion [2...
68
June 9, 2023

Are Messi and Taylor Swift Recession Indicators?

This week, we discuss the two biggest stories in not only the sports world but the world at large. We also dive into how people are living and spending their money and what that could mean for a recession as well as give updates on the bond and oil markets and ChatGPT vs the S&P 500. Key Takeaways [00:58] - Messi’s unprecedented move to the MLS [06:10] - The shocking LIV/PGA merger [09:27] - What does it mean that we’re not seeing significant recessionary indicators? [22:43] - Update on the...
67
June 2, 2023

Is AI the Bubble Du Jour?

Stokes’ Managing Partners start by revisiting a point from last week’s episode on down and sideways markets and whether they’re bullish or bearish on a go-forward basis. They’ll also join the discourse on the debt ceiling bill, look at the beginnings of what could be the era of AI, and continue the weekly Fed conversation. Key Takeaways [00:28] - Looking at our down and sideways market [03:48] - What happened with the debt ceiling deal? [10:20] - Are we entering the AI bubble era? [21:39] -...
66
May 26, 2023

Cheerio! Updates on the Market and a Trip to London

Before we head into the holiday weekend, Greg and Doug Stokes discuss why and how so much has happened over the last two years with very little market movement. They also talk about the possibility of a bull market quietly brewing during this time of consolidation and finish with a recap of Greg’s trip across the pond. Key Takeaways [01:25] - A 10,000-foot view of the market today [07:09] - Truflation vs. what the government says about inflation [08:46] - Is a new bull market quietly underwa...
65
May 12, 2023

Advocating for Common Sense

Doug and Greg start this week by noting a pod prediction that came true in regard to the latest CPI/inflation numbers. They also look at current and past S&P 500 top 10 holdings to answer a hypothetical investment question on diversification vs. the big tech stalwarts. Finally, they prepare for the ramifications of the debt ceiling debate, check in on Russia/Ukraine, and look back at the results of the student debt moratorium. Key Takeaways [01:04] - Our weekly inflation check-in [05:10] - Te...
64
May 5, 2023

Taking (Another) Rate Hike

The Stokes Brothers are back this week to discuss their favorite topic, the Federal Reserve. They question the Fed’s decision to raise rates again, look at the latest bank failure, and examine how these occurrences may slow down the economy. Key Takeaways [00:17] - A busy week with a rate hike and more bank failures [08:54] - The effect of large bank failures on regional banks [13:34] - The danger of being all in on a certain strategy or sector [19:04] - The latest snippets from S&P 500 ear...
63
April 28, 2023

Sports Cards and Memorabilia with Author Steve Lane

This week, the guys are joined by a very special guest. Steve Lane is the author of Mickey Mantle: A Life In Memorabilia which chronicles the life and career of Mickey Mantle through the items in Steve’s extensive collection. They discuss his incredible Mantle items and how sports cards and memorabilia have now become a legitimate investment vehicle in what Steve calls the art of the 21st century. Key Takeaways [03:07] - How Steve got into collecting baseball cards [04:35] - Why Mickey Mantle...
62
April 21, 2023

The Glass-Half-Full View of What Could Be the Next Recession

After a Spring Break vacation, the guys are back in the studio to catch you up on all the financial happenings around the globe. They discuss how remote work and office space vacancies are affecting the commercial real estate market, how the residential market fluctuates wildly from coast to coast, and why we should be optimistic despite continuing recession rumblings.
61
April 5, 2023

60% of the Time, It Works Every Time

The Stokes Brothers pick apart negative headlines we are seeing despite coming out of a positive first quarter. They also discuss the resurgence of Bitcoin, the emergence of AI, the effects of an aging population, and of course…the Federal Reserve. Key Takeaways [06:18] - Is there any merit to the US dollar losing its status as a reserve currency? [09:57] - Why is Bitcoin back up? [12:09] - The speculative mania behind new tech like AI [16:01] - What happens when the Fed stops its rate hiki...
60
March 31, 2023

A Bull Market Is Built on a Wall of Worry

The guys take a look back at a crazy 1st quarter that has shown the market’s resilience. They discuss where the banking industry goes from here, how commercial real estate could factor into that, and how this first quarter was a classic example of why you stay invested in an equity portfolio through thick and thin. Key Takeaways [04:00] - What is market breadth? [12:11] - Potential banking ramifications related to commercial real estate/office space [18:04] - How do banking/lending standards...
59
March 23, 2023

It’s Fed Day (Again)!

The guys once again turn their attention to Jerome Powell, Janet Yellen, and what the Fed will do in the wake of the recent bank failures. They dive into the global effects of those collapses including what happened with Credit Suisse and then look at what we can learn from the cyclical nature of human behavior. Key Takeaways [03:59] - How do banks actually work? [09:09] - How does the government determine what banks are “important”? [10:50] - What happened with Credit Suisse? [18:49] - Les...
58
March 15, 2023

The Run on Silicon Valley Bank

No doubt, you’ve heard about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. But do you know how it happened? Or why? Greg and Doug Stokes give these answers and more about how the government stepped in and what the biggest bank crash since 2008 means for the economy moving forward. Key Takeaways [01:41] - How the demise of Silicon Valley Bank really started in the COVID era [06:24] - What a bank run looks like in the technological age [11:28] - Where will the Fed go from here? [18:01] - A look at cur...
57
March 10, 2023

Jim Cobb, Best-Selling Author & Defense Attorney

This week’s guest is Jim Cobb, a New Orleans defense attorney and the author of the award-winning book, Flood of Lies: The St. Rita's Nursing Home Tragedy. Jim won two high-profile cases defending the owners of nursing homes in St. Bernard, LA and Hollywood Hills, FL. The trio discusses these trials, the state of today’s judicial system, and even Jim’s under-the-radar New Orleans restaurant recommendation. Key Takeaways [02:23] - How Jim was inspired — as an attorney — by the Boston Massacre s...