Lagniappe

On Muses Thursday in New Orleans, Doug and Greg Stokes look at declining rental prices and forward-looking real estate value, and make predictions for what this data means for rate cuts. The guys also discuss human behavior with prediction markets, the current and future outlook for cryptocurrency, and the contrasting performance of old-world versus new-world companies.

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - Rent rates are down for the 32nd consecutive month

[05:05] - Forward-looking value in real estate

[09:00] - Prediction markets and human nature

[13:01] - What’s going on with crypto/Bitcoin

[18:46] - Old vs New World market dynamics 

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Links

US rents down 1.4% over the last year, the 32nd consecutive month with a YoY decline.

Israeli Soldiers Accused of Using Polymarket to Bet on Strikes

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Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

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Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

This week, we’re celebrating Family Gras weekend in New Orleans and our 200th episode! Doug and Greg delve into the recent volatility in the stock market, particularly concerning technology companies, and how AI efficiency is benefiting old-school industries. 

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - Kicking off Family Gras weekend in New Orleans

[01:25] - Market volatility and a sentiment shift 

[05:09] - How AI efficiency benefits old-school businesses

[09:05] - The narrative around AI-related companies

[13:50] - Monitoring the potential for military movement in Iran

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Links

Zaccardi: OBBBA effectively juiced what was already a capex bubble

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Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

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Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

This week, Doug and Greg Stokes look at the year-over-year shift in market dynamics, from large-cap US stocks to commodities and consumer staples. They also discuss earnings news, particularly involving Microsoft, Meta, and AI spend. And as international stocks and emerging markets have success, they continue to beat the drum for long-term diversification. 

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - Asset class shifts from 2025 to 2026

[04:13] - Predicting if/when the Fed cuts rates

[08:03] - What do parabolic commodity prices mean?

[09:09] - Big earnings season news from Microsoft and Meta

[13:00] - The effect of regulation on Financials

[16:26] - International and emerging markets

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Links

This Is Not What a Healthy Bull Market Looks Like

Microsoft shares dive as data center spending overshadows earnings surge

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Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

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lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

Greg and Doug Stokes discuss the most recent news surrounding Greenland, tariffs, and whether or not it’s all a smoke screen for acquiring rare earths. They also delve into the rise of Chinese automotive companies, the performance of small caps, the dynamics of interest rates and inflation, and the Federal Reserve's future and its impact on the economy.

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - Greenland’s rare earths and ongoing geopolitical tensions

[08:27] - The rise of the Chinese automotive industry

[10:40] - Small caps are on the rise in U.S. markets

[13:10] - Interest rates follow the path of inflation and GDP

[17:09] - Updates on the Fed’s present and future moves 

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Links

The Arctic Smokescreen

Chinese EVs Blow Past Tesla and Tariffs En Route to Global Reign

Small-Caps Turn a Corner

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Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

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lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

We’re kicking off Mardi Gras season here in New Orleans with another episode of the Lagniappe Podcast. Doug and Greg discuss the impact of recent geopolitical events on the markets and the potential for military engagement with Iran. They also explore the implications of Federal Reserve independence on market dynamics and explain why this isn’t an AI bubble, and end with a bearish outlook on American markets and investment opportunities.

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - Mardi Gras season is here in New Orleans

[01:14] - Geopolitical tensions and activity

[05:11] - Impending military engagement with Iran?

[09:32] - Political gamesmanship of the Fed’s independence

[18:21] - This isn’t a bubble

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Links

Polymarket Iran predictions

What to know about the DOJ's criminal probe into Fed Chair Powell

Detrick: No, this Isn’t a bubble

Connect with our hosts

Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

It’s the first episode of the Lagniappe Podcast in 2026, kicking off year 5 of our weekly conversations. This week, Greg and Doug break down the military extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela, analyzing the operation’s implications on the economy, U.S. foreign policy, and the wider geopolitical landscape. They then turn their attention to what they expect to be coming down the market pike in 2026.

Key Takeaways

[00:16] - Celebrating 4 years of the Lagniappe Podcast

[01:50] - Recapping the Maduro extraction

[06:46] - Economic effects of the military confrontation in Venezuela

[14:25] - Is there another move on the horizon for the U.S.?

[19:36] - 2026 market outlook

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Links

Torsten Slok, Apollo Chief Economist - Daily Spark

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Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

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lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

In this Holiday edition of the Lagnaippe Podcast, Greg and Doug Stokes discuss the biggest economic trends of 2025, including the rally in precious metals, the volatility of Bitcoin, and the resilience of the US economy/consumer. They explore the impact of AI on inflation and productivity, normal market behavior, excitement for the bond market, the importance of keeping an even keel, and what’s coming next. 

Key Takeaways

[00:16] - The biggest surprises/trends of 2025

[03:33] - The resilience of the US economy and consumer

[13:17] - AI's impact on jobs, inflation, and productivity

[17:22] - Excitement for the bond market

[18:09] - Normal market behavior and staying calm/diversified

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Links

Bitcoin Miners Thrive Off a New Side Hustle: Retooling Their Data Centers for AI

All In Pod: Scott Bessent on Fixing the Fed, Tariffs for National Security, Solving Affordability in 2026

Connect with our hosts

Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

As we approach the end of 2025, Greg and Doug reflect on recent market volatility, particularly in the AI sector. They also discuss predictions from last year and the upcoming year, including trends in electric vehicles and potential geopolitical conflicts, and break down the economic environment that usually accompanies the bursting of bubbles. 

Key Takeaways

[00:17] - An AI reset

[03:33] - Ford switches gears on all-electric trucks

[06:58] - Earnings, interest rates, oil, and other 2026 predictions

[15:52] - What history tells us about bubbles bursting

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Links

Ford to record $19.5 billion in special charges as it pulls back on EV plans

Zaccardi: Analysts expect 14% SPX EPS growth next year, 19% for the Nasdaq 100

BofA: Major asset bubbles in global equities in the last ~180 years have all seen financial conditions tighten before the end

Connect with our hosts

Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

It’s been a busy week in the markets. Doug & Greg jump in with the big news of SpaceX’s potential IPO in 2026 and what that could mean for next year’s blow-off top. They also discuss the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut, which came with rare dissenters, and how politics is playing a part. They finish with the implications of private equity on college sports’ ever-changing NIL landscape.

Key Takeaways

[00:16] - The IPO wave may be here with SpaceX announcement

[07:47] - Talking Fed: rate cut, dissenters, and chair/board jockeying 

[13:00] - Utah is the first college to accept private equity capital

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Links

Musk Signals Reports Of SpaceX Planning An IPO Next Year Are ‘Accurate’

Connect with our hosts

Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.

Doug and Greg are back after a Holiday break. They continue the weekly AI conversation with 2026 predictions, potential IPOs, and Google’s rising market strength. They also discuss recent geopolitical events in Venezuela and the strategic U.S. interests in the region, amidst rising tensions with China.

Key Takeaways

[00:16] - Our predictions on the AI bubble in 2026

[06:08] - Google's resurgence in the AI space

[11:00] - Oil, narcotics, and China/US influence in Latin America

View Transcript

Links

Anthropic reportedly preparing for one of the largest IPOs ever in race with OpenAI: FT

Welcome to America! Captured Drug Lords Choose: Snitch or Suffer

Connect with our hosts

Doug Stokes

Greg Stokes

Stokes Family Office

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com

Disclosure

The information in this podcast is educational and general in nature and does not take into consideration the listener's personal circumstances. Therefore, it is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate, qualified professional prior to making a final decision.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies referenced in our blogs/podcasts) or any other investment and/or non-investment-related content or services will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), be suitable or appropriate for a reader/listener’s individual situation, or prove successful. Moreover, no portion of the blog/podcast content should be construed as a substitute for individual advice or services from the financial professional(s) of a reader/listener’s choosing, including Stokes Family, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC, with which the blogger/podcasters are affiliated.