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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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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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: 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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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: 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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BNN Bloomberg - We're calling for a $75 barrel of oil | Alissa Corcoran - March 10, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran went on BNN Bloomberg to discuss Kopernik's current incentive price for oil, and the big investing opportunities she's seeing in gold and uranium, which she feels continue to be undervalued. Watch the full segment here.

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Event: The Antidote to Correlation Webinar - ESG

On March 30, 2021, Kopernik's President Neda Yarich hosted a discussion on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) with Chief Investment Officer and Lead Portfolio Manager David Iben and Director of Research/Analyst Alissa Corcoran. 

Presentation: Antidote to Correlation E.S.G. Webinar

Video Replay: Antidote to Correlation E.S.G. Webinar

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Barrons Feature Story on Commodities with Kopernik CIO, David Iben - January 1, 2021

Kopernik Founder and CIO Dave Iben was included in a Barron's feature story, where he spoke with the publication about the buying opportunities he's currently finding in commodities like uranium, energy, and more. Read the full story here.

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BNN Network - Commodities Primed for a Price Surge | Alissa Corcoran - February 4, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran went on BNN Bloomberg to discuss why commodities like uranium and gold have been underappreciated (partly due to momentum stocks), why the price of each will need to increase, and her key sector picks including Cameco and Centerra. Watch the full interview here.

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Barron's "Top Income Investments of 2021" with Dave Iben - December 31, 2020

Kopernik Founder and CIO Dave Iben recently spoke with Barron's for the publication's "Top Income Investments of 2021" cover story, where he discussed where he's currently finding value opportunities overseas. Read the full story here.

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Bloomberg Radio - Dave Iben On The Markets - December 28, 2020

In this interview with Bloomberg Radio’s Daybreak Asia, Kopernik CIO Dave Iben discusses the extremely bifurcated market and opportunities that we’re finding in gold producers and emerging market telecom companies. Listen to the full interview here.

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