Are We in a Time of Vibespansion?

2024’s markets have gotten off to a choppy start, but that hasn’t stopped economists from calling this a period of vibespansion. We’ll look into the merits of that notion as well as how fixed debt is working to the advantage of home and small business owners. We’ll also take a look at the economic impact of China invading Taiwan and discuss the red flags of investing in countries with autocratic regimes. Key Takeaways [00:17] - Vibespansion during a choppy start to the 2024 markets [04:25] - How fixed debt is aiding home/small business owners [08:48] - A frigid update on EVs [12:33] - The economic impact if China invaded Taiwan  [20:57] - The Fed is moving toward an easing bias [23:48] - Spirit & JetBlue merger blocked Links The $8.8 trillion cash pile that has stock-market bulls salivating Nationwide, 89% of homeowners with mortgages have an interest rate below 6%, down from a record high of 93% in mid-2022 Ford cuts production of F-150 Lightning Electric Truck Oddlots: The Massive Economic Impact If China Invades Taiwan Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF BlackRock Capital Market Assumptions Timmer: the Fed has gone from a tightening bias to an easing bias Dave Portnoy’s turbulent Spirit Airlines trading Connect with our hosts Doug Stokes Greg Stokes Stokes Family Office Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts lagniappe.stokesfamilyoffice.com