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: Mining (Sep 2020)

In this white paper, Kopernik’s Investment Research team analyzes the potential risks and upsides of investing in the mining space and describes how Kopernik values mining companies.

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Kopernik Perspective: Uranium (Aug 2020 Update)

In this update of our 2017 white paper, analyst Steve Rosenthal discusses Kopernik’s perspective on uranium, its unique properties, and the global opportunities Kopernik is currently seeing in the industry.

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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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Bloor Street Capital Uranium Conference - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - October 6, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran spoke with the team at Bloor Street Capital to provide a rundown of how Kopernik evaluates investment opportunities in uranium and explain why we believe it's still underpriced. You can watch the full conference here.

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BNN Bloomberg - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - September 14, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran went on BNN Bloomberg to discuss opportunities in emerging markets, as well as some specific picks like RusHydro, KT Corporation, and Suzuken. Watch the full segment here.

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Barron's Article Featuring Alissa Corcoran | These 3 International Value Funds Will Shine in a Global Recovery

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran was featured in a Barron's story discussing the top international value funds, where she spoke with the publication about KGIIX and where to find opportunities in emerging markets. Read the full story here.

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Bloomberg TV - Alissa Corcoran - May 27, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran went on Bloomberg TV to discuss the exciting opportunities she's finding in emerging markets and why Kopernik prefers gold over bitcoin. Watch the full segment here (starts at 15:53)

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Barron's Profile featuring Dave Iben - A Longtime Value Manager Is Betting on Gold Stocks. Here’s Why

Our CIO Dave Iben was profiled in Barron's, where he discussed the history of Kopernik and how his nearly four decades of investment experience have prepared him to find success in value investing. Read the full feature on the Barron's website here.

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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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