Episodes

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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] -...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Back in the studio, the Stokes Brothers catch up after the Mardi Gras break. They examine why bad economic news is good news for the market and vice versa, and why the real estate market across the country has come to an abrupt halt. Key Takeaways [00:22] - Good news is bad news for the market and bad news is good news [05:28] - Is now the right time to lock in long-term bonds? [08:09] - A deep dive into the current real estate market [16:38] - Tales from the slopes during Mardi Gras break ...

In this week’s episode, the guys welcome on Rob Koyfman, CEO and co-founder of Koyfin. His company offers live market data and powerful analytical tools in a modern, intuitive format. Rob, an expert at taking the macro perspective, discusses emerging markets, inflation, efficiency in the tech sector, and making industry-leading data available for everyone, no matter the size of the portfolio. Key Takeaways [00:18] - A look at Rob Koyfman’s experience leading to founding Koyfin [03:31] - Rob’...

As the Stokes Brothers prepare for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, they reluctantly continue their ongoing conversation about the Fed and inflation. They’ll also look at rolling 30-year returns and delve into the legacy of Charlie Munger and the uneasy future of crypto. Key Takeaways [00:35] - The calm before the New Orleans Mardi Gras storm [03:16] - An update on inflation [09:06] - Shelter and the annualized rate of inflation [13:08] - The worst 30-year return over the past 100 years was a tot...

The Stokes’ consistently lean toward the optimistic side of thinking, but this week, they’ll take a look at data/opinions on both sides of the coin. The guys examine the national focus shifting away from the Fed and toward corporate profit margins, why companies becoming more efficient is a bullish sign for the economy, and how diversification is the right strategy no matter the economic outlook. Key Takeaways [00:35] - Recapping the earthquake in Turkey & Syria [05:20] - Shifting the focus ...

In this week’s episode, Greg and Doug Stokes focus on the long-term success of the stock market and not getting caught up in the next big thing. They’ll also take a look at tech companies shedding excess employee luxuries, the cyclical nature of trendy investment sectors, and the dichotomy of how inflation/employment news is viewed. Key Takeaways [01:15] - Corporations are shedding excess luxuries/amenities [03:21] - The cyclical nature of the “hot” industries [06:06] - Are AI and Machine L...

While the negative narratives swirl, Doug and Greg Stokes look at the actual data to find encouraging signs in the markets. The guys also examine the latest tech layoffs and what they mean for the macro economy and they question why people listen to “investor gurus" and why pessimism is seen as a sign of intelligence today. Key Takeaways [01:15] - High-growth tech companies are very sensitive to change [03:13] - Tech layoffs vs. the macro employment data [07:37] - A day in the life of a tec...

Could we be looking at a year with a soft landing where inflation comes down without major economic pain? Greg and Doug dive into the potential of that outcome and the Fed’s role in it. They also look back on the EU energy crisis and its fear-based narratives and discuss how emotions/human nature affect the cycles of investment. Key Takeaways [01:30] - The potential for a soft landing [02:50] - Rent as a portion of CPI [05:08] - What to expect from the Fed’s rate hiking cycle [08:32] - Look...