News & Views

News & Views

A Value Investor's Reflections on a Unique Decade (Jan 2023)

As the firm approaches its 10-year anniversary, CIO Dave Iben reaffirms Kopernik’s unchanging philosophy and process and describes opportunities we are finding as we enter our second decade.

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JIG'S UP (Sep 2022)

In his new commentary, Kopernik CIO Dave Iben discusses how, after a four-decade long period when central bankers were idolized, someone has pulled back the curtain and revealed that "the jig is up". Stocks and bonds appear to have entered a bear market, and the economy is stagnating. What is an investor to do in this new paradigm?

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Changes in Latitude (Feb 2022)

Although our CIO’s commentary was planned to be published last week, in light of current world events, we elected to hold it back and to address more pressing matters first. We reiterate that our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people during this troubling time. Like all of you, we continue to monitor events and hope for peace.

In this letter, we have the audacity to give a non-standard view of “Buffett” stocks. Fortuitously, Mr. Buffett issued his annual letter this weekend, lending credence to our belief that he may share the view that now is more of a time for investing in real assets than in the stocks of over-earning consumer brands. In his summary, Mr. Buffett writes about how Berkshire Hathaway was a struggling ‘value’ stock in 1965, having just cumulatively lost money over a nine-year period. Its stock had more than halved. This quintessential deep value stock was the only holding that Warren kept when he unwound his investment partnership in the late 1960s.

Buffett made a point to emphasize (headed ‘Surprise, surprise”) Berkshire’s “Four Giants”: a railroad (BNSF), an utility franchise (BHE), insurance businesses, and – yes – Apple. Three of the four are ‘value’ businesses, two of which are clearly endowed with significant Real Asset holdings. Interestingly, he starts his summary with the fact that Berkshire is the single largest owner/operator of infrastructure in the U.S. It is on their books for $158 BILLION. It was fun to see him end his summary with a reference to “Cousin Jimmy Buffett” who apparently will be selling “party” boats at the Berkshire annual meeting in late April. Apparently, a Berkshire subsidiary is building the boats that Jimmy designed, and Warren is buying one from him. We’ve read that they are long-time friends. Apparently 23andme recently disproved years of conjecture that the two are related.

We hope you enjoy the read.

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Sedona (Sep 2021)

In his new commentary, Kopernik CIO Dave Iben summarizes many of his thoughts on the current inflationary environment and gives examples of how this has benefited value investors. They now figuratively have the wind at their backs.

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29 Palms (Jul 2021)

In his newest commentary, Kopernik’s CIO Dave Iben draws inspiration from Robert Plant and the deserts of Morocco to discuss the Fed’s printing press, the Cantillon effect, and the value Kopernik is finding in scarce, undervalued, useful assets.

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Kopernik Perspective: Uranium (Feb 2017)

Stephen Rosenthal, CFA, Kopernik Analyst, discusses Kopernik's view on Uranium.

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Willful Blindness (Sep 2018)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses the biggest threats and dangers that investors don't see, not because they're secret or invisible, but because we are willfully blind. Topics include: the U.S. Stock Market, Non-GAAP Earnings, The Buyback Boom, Growth vs Value, Volatility, Emerging Markets, and Russia

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Kopernik Perspective: Currency (Aug 2016)

Alissa Corcoran, CFA, Kopernik Analyst, discusses Kopernik's view on currency risk and why the Firm doesn't hedge foreign currency exposure.

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That Word. I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means. (May 2018)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses a wide array of topics including risk, earnings, tech privacy, and Blockchain.

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Kopernik Perspective: Is Coal Dead? (Feb 2016)

Stephen Rosenthal, CFA, Kopernik Analyst, discusses the global demand for energy and how coal will continue to be a viable option to meet the energy needs of a growing population.

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Kopernik Perspective: Gold (Apr 2015)

Alissa Corcoran, CFA, Kopernik Analyst, discusses Kopernik's view on gold, its unique history, and the global opportunities Kopernik is finding in the industry.

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MarketWatch | Analyst Taylor McKenna on Silver's Investment Appeal | September 13, 2023

Kopernik’s Taylor McKenna spoke with MarketWatch about silver and gold’s performance and the opportunities the firm is finding with mining companies. Read the full story here

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Benzinga Gold Conference | Kopernik Analyst Taylor McKenna on Gold Miners | July 20, 2023

Kopernik Analyst Taylor McKenna joined Benzinga’s Virtual Gold Conference last week to discuss opportunities in the sector and the gold miners Kopernik maintains strong conviction in. We remain especially bullish on junior miners, like Seabridge Gold and Equinox Gold.

Watch the replay of the conference here to check out Taylor’s thoughts, beginning at the 20-minute mark.

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Bloomberg Daybreak | Kopernik's Corcoran on Global Investing | June 1, 2023

Kopernik Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss why the current environment doesn’t deter Kopernik from capitalizing on the attractive opportunities present in commodity investing.

You can watch Alissa’s interview here.

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Tampa Bay Business Journal | Profile on Kopernik's President Neda Yarich | June 9, 2023

Kopernik’s President Neda Yarich was profiled in a story by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She discussed our firm’s 10-year milestone, her professional trajectory, and why proper ESG integration requires a certain amount of critical thinking.

Read the full story here. 

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2023 Fund Manager Lifetime Achievement Award

Kopernik is proud to announce that founder and CIO Dave Iben received the 2023 Fund Manager Lifetime Achievement Award from the London Value Investor Conference. Watch the full video announcement here.

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Tampa Bay Business Journal | Profile on Kopernik - May 31, 2023

In honor of our 10-year anniversary, Kopernik was profiled in a story by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Our Founder and CIO Dave Iben and President Neda Yarich discussed Kopernik’s success, growth, and why it has always paid to be a contrarian investor.

Read the full story here.

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