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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Financial Times Story featuring Dave Iben - Contrarian fund manager cautions against writing off Russia assets - April 10, 2022

Kopernik's CIO Dave Iben spoke to the Financial Times about why Russian assets still hold value, even in the wake of the war with Ukraine. Read the full feature on the Financial Times website here (Requires login)

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BNN TV - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - April 27, 2022

Kopernik Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on BNN Bloomberg to provide a rundown of investment opportunities in emerging markets and explain how Kopernik evaluates geopolitical risk. You can watch the interview here.

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The Antidote to Correlation Webinar - Managing Geopolitical Risk in a Global Portfolio - April 7, 2022

On April 7, 2022, Kopernik Global Investors had a discussion on managing geopolitical risk in a global portfolio, apropos current events. It is Kopernik’s belief that today’s world almost requires that a considerable part of portfolios be allocated to emerging markets to provide refuge from the perils of significant overvaluations and protection from the inflation-driven erosion of purchasing power. Yet, there are many challenges when it comes to investing in developing countries. In this webinar, we discussed how Kopernik appraises and manages a portfolio of businesses in the various parts of the world.

Speakers: Alissa Corcoran, Deputy CIO, Director of Research, Analyst and Todd Tosti, Industrials Analyst

Hosted by: David Iben, Chief Investment Officer and Lead Portfolio Manager

Replay: Please use the webinar registration to view a video replay

PresentationManaging Geopolitical Risk in a Global Portfolio Webinar Presentation

Transcript: Edited Transcript of Managing Geopolitical Risk in a Global Portfolio Webinar

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Bloomberg TV - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - December 7, 2021

Kopernik's Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss why Kopernik believes precious metal mining companies present an attractive investment opportunity. Watch the full segment here.

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BNN TV - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - December 21, 2021

Kopernik's Deputy CIO Alissa Corcoran appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss Kopernik's top picks among gold miners. Watch the full segment here.

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BNN Bloomberg - Featuring Alissa Corcoran - November 9, 2021

Kopernik's Director of Research Alissa Corcoran went on BNN Bloomberg to discuss why investing in gold miners is a great way to hedge against inflation. Watch the full segment here.

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