New Episodes Weekly!
Lagniappe

Episodes

97
Jan. 12, 2024

What the Market Taught Investors in 2023

Heading into a big NFL weekend, we look at the wins and losses and what we learned from the market in 2023. We also chat about conflicting inflation data leading to renewed calls for recession. We then finish with a blitz of news including Boeing, Bill Gates, and Zuckerberg’s cows. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Why the disciplined investor is paid off in the long run [05:18] - Conflicting inflation/CPI data [09:15] - Renewed recession narratives from prognosticators [13:47] - Boeing insider tradi...
96
Jan. 5, 2024

Betting on Humanity and a Diversified Portfolio

Happy New Year from Stokes Family Office. We kick off the new year by looking at what historically happens after a good market year and pose the question, are we better off simply expecting positive performance? We’ll then dive into incredibly interesting demographic data, look at the correlation of stocks and bonds, and examine the Ozempic effect on the markets. Key Takeaways [01:03] - Historical results after a good year in the markets [03:53] - Betting on humanity and a diversified portfol...
95
Dec. 22, 2023

Recapping 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024

As we head into Christmas, we’ll discuss whether or not we’ve already seen our Santa Claus rally. We’ll then dive into core CPE numbers and take our weekly look at inflation. Finally, we’ll review the biggest narratives of 2023 before looking ahead to what we hope will be a big 2024 as we explain our pragmatic stance on being long-term bullish. Key Takeaways [02:05] - Have we already had our Santa Claus Rally? [06:50] - Checking in on core CPE and inflation [10:01] - Looking ahead to 24 [13...
94
Dec. 15, 2023

Is The Market Declaring Victory Too Soon?

There’s a narrative brewing that the market has beaten inflation/a recession, but we’ll look into why the game is not over yet. We’ll also examine the coiled spring of small and mid-caps, how this bear market stacks up historically, and the wild ride we’ve been on over the past 6 weeks. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Is the market declaring that the interest rate hiking cycle is over? [04:45] - The inflation/recession game is not over [09:25] - How does this bear market stack up historically [13:3...
93
Dec. 8, 2023

2023 Was an Earnings Story

Amidst a cloud of public negativity, we’ll combat the perma-bull narratives and go through a list of things you don’t see in a recession. We’ll then discuss why we might need to consider skipping our typical “rules of thumb” during this COVID period. Finally, with the new jobs report in hand, we’ll talk about what happens if the economy doesn’t slow down, what’s on the horizon for multifamily, and why market history shows that patience will be rewarded. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Things you don’t...
92
Dec. 1, 2023

What Does Record Travel & Shopping Mean For the Economy?

We dive straight into the bond market as it comes off its best month in the last 40 years. We’ll then discuss how interest rates are affecting residential & commercial real estate markets differently, what the Fed’s next move can/should be, the life of Charlie Munger, and the crazy spending on Holiday travel and shopping. Key Takeaways [00:13] - Patting ourselves on the back (momentarily) for our bond market takes [03:41] - Differences in the residential & commercial real estate markets [05:...
91
Nov. 21, 2023

What We’re Thankful For

As we look forward to Thanksgiving, we start by saying what we’re grateful for including being American at this point in time of history. We’ll then juxtapose that with what’s going on in one of our favorite countries, Argentina as well as across Latin America and the world. We take note of the strength of the economy in the everyday things we see, give our weekly Fed/inflation update, and finish with our thoughts on Americans’ confidence in the future. Key Takeaways [01:10] - Election shocker...
90
Nov. 16, 2023

The Market is a Great Teaching Tool

After another positive week in the markets, we’ll go through our weekly inflation check-in, re-examining our own opinions over the past year and looking ahead to what the Fed can/will do next. We’ll then take note of the big bank forecasts that are rolling in and how they compare to last year’s and discuss why in times of elevation in volatility, bearish opinions come out of the woodwork. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Checking in on inflation numbers [04:27] - The attractiveness of bonds [08:08] -...
89
Nov. 10, 2023

The Earnings Cycle Continues to Improve

After a volatile, but positive past week, we’ll discuss comments from Jerome Powell and how the Fed continues to drive the markets while earnings continue to grow. We’ll also reexamine fearmongering prognostications and why you should ignore headlines on surging debt. Key Takeaways [00:17] - How the Fed continues to be the market driver [06:15] - Why some of the most interest rate-sensitive sectors have done the best this year [10:05] - Earnings per share for the S&P 500 [13:23] - Prospecti...
88
Nov. 1, 2023

Halloween, Hedge Funds, and a Hopeful Look at the Future

Happy All Saints’ Day from the home of the Saints. After recapping Halloween from Uptown New Orleans, we’ll jump into a discussion on the secrecy of some of the largest hedge funds. We’ll then look at the intertwined relationship and valuation of stocks and bonds, the trajectory of the U.S. markets, and our weekly inflation update. Key Takeaways [01:20] - Looking behind the curtain at hedge funds like Bridgewater [07:35] - The relationship and relative valuation of stocks & bonds in today's m...
87
Oct. 26, 2023

Why Haven’t We Gone Into a Recession?

We start today with the narrative that Google’s earnings are the impetus for the markets selling off. Then with a historical perspective, we’ll share what we’re telling our clients during this choppy, ping pong market. We’ll finish with our thoughts on why we actually haven’t slipped into recession and how the U.S. missed a major refinancing opportunity. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Are Google’s earnings really why the market is down? [04:08] - What we’re telling clients about the stock market [0...
86
Oct. 20, 2023

Tales from the Dome + 1987 Black Monday + Bond and Real Estate Markets

We open with Saints sadness after a night in the Dome. Then on the anniversary of 1987’s Black Monday, we’ll look back at that historic day and how it compares to today’s choppy market. We’ll then take a deep dive into the bond and real estate markets before examining a narrative shift where good news is actually good news again. Key Takeaways [00:17] - The Saints are no longer fun [03:45] - Looking back at the crash of 1987 [07:11] - How today’s choppy market compares to that historic downt...
85
Oct. 13, 2023

New CPI Numbers and the Importance of Investment Timing

With the new CPI report in hand, we’ll take a look at inflation and how it continues to affect purchasing power and the markets across the board. We’ll also examine why when you start investing can be as vital as anything else. Then, we’ll finish with our weekly Taylor Swift conversation, rave about our own personal experience with Patrick Mahomes, and marvel at the human achievement of a new marathon record. Key Takeaways [00:16] - Looking at the latest CPI numbers [08:41] - Real estate and ...
84
Oct. 5, 2023

Tracking Movement in the Bond, Interest Rate, & Housing Markets

We kick off this week looking at the bond yield and the risk/reward that the bond/fixed income market presents. We’ll also look at how interest rates/inflation are affecting housing, stocks, the odds of a recession, and general consumer spending. Key Takeaways [00:16] - Looking at the Bond yield [07:38] - The risk/reward of bonds now and in the future [11:45] - An update on mortgage rates and the housing market [15:50] - How is the stock market reacting? [19:21] - Real estate index fund pe...
83
Sept. 28, 2023

Looking Under the Hood of the Market

We’ll check out a choppy market and how it reacted to last week’s Fed announcement that rates will be higher for longer and another rate hike is on the way. We’ll also look at why we may be entering a time to buy fixed income, how opinion sentiments of inflation have an impact, and give updates on the oil and crypto markets. Key Takeaways [00:18] - Reviewing the last week’s choppy market [04:20] - Bond markets and opportunities to buy fixed income [08:38] - The seasonality of the market [14...
82
Sept. 21, 2023

Interest Rates, Venture Capital, and 10-Year Treasuries

We start this week with our thoughts on the Fed estimating rates will be higher for longer. We’ll then dive into the craziness of the venture capital industry over the last few years and how interest rates are playing a role. We finish with a historical perspective on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds and bullish takes on Taylor Swift and our New Orleans Saints. Key Takeaways [00:18] - Checking in with Jerome Powell and the Fed [04:41] - Instacart IPO & the competition within the venture capital in...
81
Sept. 15, 2023

What We Learned During CPI Week

Join us as we examine sticky core CPI numbers and how shelter factors in. We’ll also look at why deflation may be our biggest economic risk right now. We’ll finish with tales of a Somali pirate stock exchange and how an idea from the movie Trading Places is playing out in real life. Key Takeaways [00:25] - Housing’s effect on inflation and CPI [04:41] - Disinflationary risks [08:19] - Why the S&P 500 has been stuck in a rut [15:44] - The Somali pirate stock exchange [18:00] - Orange juice ...
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 ...