News & Views

News & Views

The Renaissance and the Entropic Arrow of Time (May 2019)

The most recent commentary contrast the renaissance period to the contemporary era. A half-millennium ago, mankind's search for truth began to breakdown the stifling barriers to thought and liberty. In the contemporary world where truth and liberty have conceptually become easy, they are being sacrificed. While this is a gross generalization, excellent opportunities have been opened up for those willing to use common sense, dig for the truth, and act upon their conviction. At Kopernik, we continue conducting in-depth due diligence, thoughtfully appraising value, maintaining patience and self-control, and staying disciplined in our process.

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Waiting for Sebastian (Oct 2018)

We discuss the current investment environment by drawing parallels to the Portuguese myth based on the belief that King Sebastian will return to save Portugal. This seemingly captures the way most people feel about value investing by sneering at unpopular, but value-laden, tangible assets. We believe that what others condescendingly snub as “cigar butts” may turn out to be, figuratively, valuable ‘Cubans’, wrapper intact.

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Master and Servant (Jun 2018)

We discuss the dangers and opportunities created investors allow independent thought and judgment to be subordinated by the dominant theories of the day; to prescriptive economic theories; to formulaic investment models; and especially to price insensitive investment approaches. Why Kopernik prefers independent thought to dependency and judgement to data. We discuss why the future looks bright for active investing, for value investing, and for idiosyncratic investing.

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Runaway Train (Dec 2017)

Using the aforementioned song as an analogy for the current investment market, we discuss the how the markets look like a runaway train, the perils that presents for investors, but more importantly, the potential safety and money-making opportunities available to those who are willing to jump off the momentum express train.

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The Weight of the Wait (Jun 2017)

We revisit the active/passive debate, the current obsession with measurement, the concept of weight, and the misguided measurement of risk. These phenomena present attractive opportunities to thoughtful, patient, long-term investors.

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Is This An Inflection Point For Passive Management? (Jul 2020)

In this June 2020 white paper, analyst Taylor McKenna explores the similarities and differences between active and passive management strategies. He argues that passive management strategies, such as ETFs and closet indexers, cannot replicate a more active approach. Using the metaphor of a thoughtful baseball manager, Taylor suggests that active management adds value to an investment strategy.

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Kopernik Perspective: Gold (Jul 2020 Update)

In this update of our 2015 white paper, analyst and Director of Research Alissa Corcoran, CFA discusses Kopernik’s view on gold, its unique history, and the global opportunities Kopernik is finding in the industry.

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The Subtle Art...(Sep 2019)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses the opportunities that volatility can offer and why Kopernik focuses on long-term performance. Mark uses the popular 2016 self-help book by Mark Manson to offer interesting insights and applicability in the investment world.

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Kopernik Perspective: Uranium (Feb 2017)

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

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These Go To Eleven (Feb 2019)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses the current macro investing environment in Japan, the EU and the US, by drawing parallels to the classic movie quote "These go to eleven" and how that helps Kopernik and the opportunity set we could provide over time.

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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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TD Ameritrade Network - David Iben On The Case For International Stocks

David Iben, Kopernik’s CIO, appeared on TD Ameritrade Network to discuss current investment opportunities.

March 09, 2020

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Welling on Wall St. - Listening In: Dave Iben - Embracing Vol, Hated Stocks (Nov 2019)

Dave Iben recently sat down with Kate Welling at Welling on Wall Street to discuss finding values in the market’s most reviled sectors and why active management is more important than ever.

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Value Invest New York

The inaugural edition of Value Invest New York took place at the Metropolitan Club on December 4 2018. It featured renowned Value Investors from the United States, including David Iben, Kopernik's CIO, as well as being a showcase for other Value Funds to talk about investment ideas from around the world.

See the full story here.

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The Wall Street Transcript: Waiting for the Market to Have a Vastly Different Opinion - Featuring David Iben

Kopernik's CIO David Iben was recently interviewed by The Wall Street Transcript.

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Barron's Video: Bargains Off the Beaten Track - Featuring David Iben

Kopernik's CIO David Iben recently spoke at a Barron's conference. In this interview, he discusses "three investments that look cheap in a fairly full-priced market."

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Forbes Article Featuring David Iben - This Stock Could Very Easily Triple Or Even Quadruple

Kopernik's Founder, CIO and Portfolio Manager, David Iben, discusses why Kopernik likes certain gold, uranium and phone companies in this current, especially inefficient market.

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