Ask Avidian

Record Highs in a Chaotic World: Iran Ceasefire, Oil Spikes, AI Cybersecurity Threats & More

In this episode of Ask Avidian, Chief Investment Officer Jake Borbidge of Avidian Wealth Solutions delivers a timely market update as major indexes hit all-time highs despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariffs, creeping unemployment, and rising credit card delinquencies.  He breaks down the Iran conflict and the recently extended (or indefinitely held) ceasefire, why markets are discounting extreme risks, and the real impact on oil prices. Jake also covers developments in space, cybersecurity (including Anthropic’s powerful new Claude Mythos AI tool and its implications for both defenders and bad actors), commodity/farming prices, and shares exclusive insights into how Avidian is building an AI-native framework internally—with strong guardrails, sandboxing, and best practices—to supercharge investment research while keeping everything secure.  Packed with actionable perspectives for investors navigating volatility, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants the signal over the noise. Disclaimer:  Avidian Wealth Solutions is a registered investment adviser.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.   Avidian is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This information contained herein may be dated.

Oil at $100+, Fed Stays Put: Navigating Iran Conflict & Private Credit Pressures

In this episode, Jake breaks down the escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East, including Iran's recent missile strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG facility—the world's largest—which have caused extensive damage, sparked fires, and driven natural gas and oil prices sharply higher (WTI nearing $100+). We explore the implications for global energy supply, emerging markets (especially Asia), and your portfolios. Jake also recaps the Federal Reserve's latest decision: rates held steady at 3.5–3.75%, with markets coalescing around just one cut in 2026 amid softening labor data and potential inflationary pressures from commodities and lingering tariffs. Disclaimer:  Avidian Wealth Solutions is a registered investment adviser.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.   Avidian is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This information contained herein may be dated.

Private Client Report Insights, SaaS-pocalypse, and Middle East Conflict Impacts

In this episode of the Ask Avidian podcast, Jake Borbidge (Chief Investment Officer) and Andrei Costas (Portfolio Manager) share key insights from Avidian's Private Client Report. They recap 2025 market volatility driven by policy shifts and tariffs, while highlighting the benefits of diversification and opportunities in private markets. They then address the SaaS-pocalypse: AI-driven concerns disrupting traditional software moats and public SaaS stocks. They explain why private credit exposures, through diversified lending, remain more resilient due to shorter loan terms and strong protections. Finally, they examine the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict, focusing on energy market risks. These include potential disruptions to oil through the Strait of Hormuz, LNG flows from Qatar, and broader effects on global prices, inflation, and supply chains, balanced by the buffering role of US shale production. Disclaimer:  Avidian Wealth Solutions is a registered investment adviser.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.   Avidian is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This information contained herein may be dated.

Navigating 2026's Market Mayhem

In this episode of Ask Avidian, Chief Investment Officer Jake Borbidge unpacks early 2026 market turbulence, covering: * President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair (replacing Jerome Powell in May), sparking debates on Fed independence and a more hawkish policy stance * Limited expectations for near-term rate cuts amid the leadership transition * The dramatic commodities crash in gold and silver, pulling back sharply from their 2025 record highs * Ongoing pressures in the tech sector driven by massive AI capital expenditure (CapEx) burdens * Concerns over eroding software moats as viral personal AI agents lower barriers to entry * The blockbuster SpaceX-xAI merger, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion ahead of a rumored $1.5T+ IPO Disclaimer:  Avidian Wealth Solutions is a registered investment adviser.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.   Avidian is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This information contained herein may be dated.

Unpacking a $400M Insurance Scheme: Real-World Finance Lessons from LANDMAN

Join Jake Borbidge, Chief Investment Officer at Avidian Wealth Solutions, and Robert Palmer, Director of Financial Planning at Avidian Wealth Solutions, as they dissect a pivotal scene from the most recent episode of the Paramount+ show, LANDMAN. The discussion centers on a massive insurance payout exceeding $400 million for a destroyed offshore oil rig—diverted through a separate entity into illiquid private investments, with ties to tax strategies like asset depreciation, reinvestment loopholes, and captive insurance structures. Jake and Robert separate dramatic flair from financial reality, exploring how large insurance claims are actually handled, the dangers of misdirecting proceeds, IRS red flags associated with captives, liquidity risks in private equity (including lock-up periods and steep penalties), and the nuances of PIK (Payment-In-Kind) interest. Disclaimer:  Avidian Wealth Solutions is a registered investment adviser.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.   Avidian is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm, and no portion of its services should be construed as legal or accounting advice.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. This information contained herein may be dated.