In our most recent commentary, we pay homage to the 1960’s by contrasting our current environment to that of a mere half-century ago; it was a period when Wall Street saw only good things while Main Street saw turmoil and change. We view 2019 as arguably a supercharged version of the late 1960’s, which can serve as a guide and an excellent source of instruction on how to successfully navigate the current investment environment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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's CIO David Iben was recently interviewed by The Wall Street Transcript.
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."
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.
Kathryn Welling and David Iben discuss his recent endeavors and why Dave believes this is a great market for value investing.
Value Investor Insight features Kopernik’s Founder and Portfolio Manager, David Iben in “Against the Grain.” In the article, David Iben discusses the investment philosophy at Kopernik Global, why today’s market is reminiscent of 1972 and 1999, risk versus reward in Russia and China, and single-industry valuations on a global basis
Kopernik's Founder and Portfolio Manager, David Iben, discusses why the current environment is ideally suited for active managers who are willing to think independently and invest in unpopular regions and sectors.
