David Iben is the Lead Portfolio Manager of the Kopernik Global All-Cap and Global Unconstrained strategies, and the Co-Portfolio Manager of the Kopernik International and Global Long-Term Opportunities strategies. He is the Chief Investment Officer, Managing Member, Founder, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Kopernik Global Investors.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kopernik CIO, David Iben, recently discussed with Financial Advisor where Kopernik is finding attractive opportunities within the emerging markets.
Kopernik CIO, David Iben, was recently interviewed by Robert Hunter from Value Invest.
Kopernik CIO, David Iben, was recently interviewed by Robert Hunter from Value Invest.
Our CIO, Dave Iben, went on Bloomberg Radio to discuss where he's currently finding attractive buying opportunities around the globe, and why some of the safest investments, such as gold mining stocks, might also have the most upside.
Kopernik CIO and Lead Portfolio Manager, Dave Iben recently sat down with Russell Investments to discuss the case for investing beyond the U.S. Originally presented at a Russell Investments event for institutional investors. You can watch the full video here.
Kopernik CIO, David Iben, was featured in MarketWatch today discussing how value stocks are offering "opportunities of a generation" and why he thinks investors who believe value is gone for good will be proven wrong.
