Capex Spending on AI, Jobless Claims, and Private Equity Coming to the NFL

Each week, the Stokes Family Office staff puts together a list of our favorite news and updates on all things Gulf South Wealth Management. From financial planning, portfolio construction, tax and estate planning, retirement plan services to anything we found interesting. Enjoy this week’s curated list for your weekend reading!

ECONOMY NEWS

• It ‘Took a World’ to Create Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

• • The construction of Royal Caribbean’s “Utopia of the Seas” relied on extensive global cooperation.
  • How free trade and Trump’s and Harris’ tariff plans play into modern, global manufacturing.

• Capex Spending on AI Continues to Be Significant Tailwind to Economic Outlook

• • Despite the Fed funds rate being at the highest level in decades, capex spending by the Magnificent Seven is at record-high levels.
  • Fed hikes are having a much smaller negative impact than normal on business investment decisions because of the strong appetite to invest in AI.

• Jobless Claims: Almost All Good

• • Initial claims declined -2,000 to 231,000, and the four week moving average declined -4,750 to 231,500, the lowest since early June.
  • YoY% changes forecast continued economic growth.

MARKETS NEWS

• Private Equity Ownership Is Coming to the NFL

• • The National Football League, one of the most valuable entities in professional sports, is finally letting institutional investors enter its rich ranks.
  • Thanks to a recent vote that changed the league’s rules, private equity firms will now be able to buy 10% stakes in NFL teams.

• What Tennis Can Teach Us About Investing and Making Your Edge Count

• • Roger Federer won ~80% of his career matches, but he only won 54% of points.
  • How do you win in tennis and in investing? Play longer. As many points, as many games, as many sets as you can.

• Nvidia Can’t Escape Shadow of AI Spending Fears

• • Strong results from the chip maker don’t ease worries about durability of Big Tech’s AI investments.

Stokes Family Office is 100% Family Owned, and has been continually operating in the New Orleans Area for over 35 years.  As a family office, we are focused on family wealth, financial planning, and tax planning. Want to hear more from our team? Check out the Lagniappe Podcast.