Stagflation, Geopolitical Risks, & International Investing

Each week, the Stokes Family Office staff puts together a list of our favorite news and updates on all things 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

Consumers Expect Stagflation, But Here’s Why That’s Unlikely

• Carson Group: It’s not surprising that consumer sentiment has plunged over the last two months amid all the market volatility, and headlines around tariffs and layoffs. But when looking at inflation and wage growth, we’re far from stagflation.

Lower Immigration Will Pull Down Nonfarm Payrolls Over the Coming Months

• Apollo: The sharp decline in immigration in recent months will have very significant implications for nonfarm payrolls in March, April, and May because it could lower the population growth-consistent nonfarm payroll estimate to 60,000, down from as much as 200,000 in 2024.

The Recession Road Map

• In response to the consistent question of “are we in a recession?” Callie Cox says no and gives the 8 ways she judges the health of the economy.

MARKETS NEWS

Retirees and Preretirees: It’s Not Too Late to Derisk Your Portfolio

• Morningstar: Stocks have recently recovered a bit of ground, providing preretirees and retirees with an opportune time to scale back equity exposure and plow the proceeds into safer assets like cash and high-quality bonds. Here’s a look at the merits and logistics of derisking a portfolio as retirement approaches.

Geopolitical Risks Are in the Rise

• Rzepczynski: The players of geopolitical risk may be following the same policies but the uncertainty concerns what will be the response of the US. The risk is focused on new responses which mean new reactions. Markets abhor uncertainty, so we are seeing the results of this uncertainty.

Why is International Investing Working Again?

• Cullen Roche explains why he believes international investing isn’t just sound financial planning, but also likely to continue working.

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. We are your local experts for Gulf South wealth management. Want to hear more from our team? Check out the Lagniappe Podcast.