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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It’s Like Déjà Vu All Over Again (Jan 2018)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses the valuation changes of the worlds stock markets, the current tech stock heavy environment, and a look at Blockchain mania.

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I Don't Get It (Aug 2017)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager, discusses central banking, quantitative easing, debt yields, ETF manias & cryptocurrencies and the effect they have on the current investing environment.

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Kopernik Perspective: Russia - It's not me, it's you (Apr 2015)

Stephen Rosenthal, CFA, Kopernik Analyst, and Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discuss Kopernik's approach to assessing the risk and opportunity of investing in Russian equities.

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I Did Nothing (And It Was Everything I Thought It Would Be) (Aug 2016)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager, discusses the importance of "Why" we do what we do, our commitment in being disciplined in value investing and why that offers the best long term opportunity in a portfolio.

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Inconceivable (Oct 2014)

Mark McKinney, CFA, Kopernik Analyst and Portfolio Manager discusses our investment philosophy and process in more detail, with some specific examples, and how our approach leads to low correlation versus the benchmark and competition in the Global Value space.

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Bloor Street Capital Nuclear & Uranium Conference - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - March 3, 2023

Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran spoke at the Bloor Street Capital Nuclear & Uranium Conference, where she discussed opportunities in global markets and how Kopernik approaches investing in uranium. Watch Alissa’s full interview here, beginning at 1:19:07.

 

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Kopernik in Conversation with Value Investor Insight - February 28, 2023

Today's market environment is leading to extreme discounts in select assets, presenting an increasingly interesting set of opportunities. Kopernik CIO Dave Iben and Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran recently sat down with Value Investor Insight to discuss where these opportunities are and how Kopernik’s philosophy and investment process are poised to capitalize on them. Dave and Alissa explore several themes including:

1. The importance of scarce, necessary assets in the commodities space
2. Specific opportunities in emerging markets, agriculture, and gold miners

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Welling on Wall St. Profiles Kopernik: Provocative, Patient, Contrary - February 24, 2023

CIO Dave Iben and Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran sat down with editor Kathryn M. Welling of Welling on Wall Street for a profile on Kopernik. Read the full interview for more insight into the investment opportunities we’re finding in emerging markets and why we continue to enjoy being contrarian, patient investors.

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BNN Bloomberg TV - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - February 7, 2023

Kopernik Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on BNN Bloomberg TV to discuss the advantages of investing in gold, how she’s evaluating unique value investment opportunities, and the impact of Newmont’s bid for Newcrest. You can watch Alissa’s interview here.

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In it to Win it Podcast - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - February 16, 2023

Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran sat down with Steve Barton, host of the In It to Win It podcast, to discuss value investing, inflation, emerging markets abroad and analyze the trends in commodities such as gold, platinum and uranium. Listen to Alissa’s full interview here.

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Bloomberg TV - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - January 11, 2023

Kopernik Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss commodities—specifically the supply of real assets like copper, the advantages of investing in gold, and the favorable gains Kopernik has seen in the energy sector. Alissa’s full interview with Bloomberg can be found here starting at 26:33.

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