Episodes

+ what Americans will be talking about over Thanksgiving dinner

+ AI Investment Return & Inflection Bubbles

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. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Rate cuts and market growth [04:41] - Productivity gains and labor market ...

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 unprecedented investment. We’ll finish by talking sports as a betting cycle rocks the NBA and Shohei continues t...

America's AI Domination & This Era Leading to Prosperity

Greg and Doug Stokes start this week’s discussion with trade deals with the European Union and South Korea and the significant earnings reports from major tech companies like Meta and Microsoft. They also look at the massive windfall in profitability from the largest companies in America, which continues to bucking the narrative that geopolitical uncertainty is going to push us into a downturn. Then, they explore inflation, housing, and the job market, particularly in light of the growing influe...

AI Capex & IPO Windows

The Stokes Brothers explore the rise of private credit as a trending asset class, its risks and rewards, and the implications of JP Morgan's $50 billion investment into the space. They also discuss the Fed Chair tit-for-tat, why we need an independent, formulaic process for setting rates, and the long-term outlook on inflation and housing. Key Takeaways [00:00] - Jamie Dimon & private credit [04:39] - What is the risk in the private credit market? [11:31] - Municipal bonds vs. private credit for...

Greg and Doug reflect on the recent tragedy in Texas before diving into the current state of the markets with a focus on the rise of tech giants like NVIDIA and their outsized impact. They explore big tech’s market concentration, productivity gains from AI, the IPO landscape, and improving public sentiment. They also detail real-time inflation, interest rates, and Fed Chair drama. Key Takeaways [00:00] - Reflecting on the tragedy in Texas [02:10] - NVIDIA tops $4 trillion in market cap (larger t...

Doug and Greg begin this week’s episode with a critique of Jamie Dimon's forecasts regarding the bond market and financial predictions in general. They explore the rise of autonomous driving technology, the world-changing impact of American investment in innovation, and the influence of the political climate on markets and investment strategies. Key Takeaways [0:18] - Our reactions to Jamie Dimon’s bond market hurricane prediction [04:50] - Forecasts are essentially worthless [07:31] - The auton...

+ the Housing Market Undergoes a Major Shift

+ AI Investment, Stagflation, and the Fed's Role in Market Direction

Looking back on a month for the record books

Inflation and Interest Rates, Bond and Global Markets, and the U.S. Housing Market

Market corrections, recession narratives, and government spending

With the news swirling about S&P 500 declines, we dig into why market corrections are a normal part of financial cycles and why diversification is proving effective in the current environment. We’ll also dig into the performance of international markets, interest rate predictions, inflation vs. stagnation arguments, tariffs, jobs, and more. Key Takeaways [00:17] - What’s going on with the market correction and are we concerned? [04:51] - Corrections happen as part of a normal functioning market ...

Although we’re only 3-4% off market highs, investor sentiment has recently turned quite bearish, especially given a turbulent macro environment. We’ll look back on the first two months of the year, analyzing the fluctuations in the S&P 500, crypto, global tensions, and the reversal of inflation narratives. We’ll also examine why it feels like everything you thought you’d be bullish about under a Trump presidency, you should have been bearish about, and vice versa. Before we head out to more para...

Throw me something, mister! It’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans, and we’ll talk about what that means for the city’s culture and what a great family-friendly time it is. We then transition to a broader discussion on the surprising resilience of the Chinese economy and why a positive January and February often predict a strong year ahead. The conversation shifts to the cryptocurrency market, particularly meme coins, and the potential risks involved. We also hit on the demographic challenges in Eu...

We begin this week by discussing the two biggest stories: inflation and tariffs. We’ll also delve into the performance of retail stocks, the influence of GLP-1 medications on fast food sales, and the performance of small caps and international markets. We’ll then dive into how shelter continues to drive CPI numbers and the contrasting dynamics of commercial and residential real estate markets. Key Takeaways [02:25] - Tariff rates on other countries vs. those on the U.S. [04:00] - The CPI story r...

Our daily commutes include celebrity sightings these days which means it’s Super Bowl time in New Orleans. We’ll discuss the big game and why the Big Easy is such a great host. We’ll also give our analysis of market volatility given the recent jobs report, political movement, and AI developments. We’ll finish with the importance of long-term investment strategies, and the psychological factors such as recency bias that influence investor behavior. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Celebrity sightings in N...

Episode 150! As we look out our window watching New Orleans prepare and improve before the Super Bowl, we delve into the recent turmoil in the AI market, particularly the impact of a Chinese company's AI announcement on major tech stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of market expectations and the potential for volatility in tech stocks, drawing parallels to past large shifts like the beginning of the Internet age. Key Takeaways [00:17] - New Orleans prepares...

We’re snowed in! We’ll discuss our experiences during a once-in-a-lifetime snow in New Orleans, analyze market reactions to Trump's presidency, and give prudent investment approaches as experts try to “predict corrections”. Plus NFL Championship weekend predictions. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Making memories during a rare snow in New Orleans [05:35] - Market reactions to Trump’s inauguration [08:00] - Expectations as we transition from Biden to Trump terms [11:40] - Can we take anything from Trump’...

Greg and Doug continue last week’s conversation on bond market intrigue so far in 2025. They explore the implications of rising interest rates on bonds and the attractiveness of fixed-income investments compared to equities. The conversation also touches on changing consumer behaviors, particularly with alcohol consumption, and how these trends may affect related markets/investments. Key Takeaways [00:17] - The bond market continues to interest us most in 2025 [07:23] - How bonds are affecting a...

Doug and Greg begin with reflections on recent tragedies, including a terrorist attack in New Orleans and the devastating wildfires in California. They discuss the significant movements in the bond market, the ongoing housing affordability crisis, and the implications of rising interest rates and inflation. The conversation also touches on the performance of international markets and the resilience of the American economy, highlighting the importance of innovation and risk-taking in driving econ...