The Business Brew

Bill Brewster
The Business Brew

Welcome to The Business Brew This podcast’s mission is to dig deep into the thought patterns and analysis of investors and business people. The podcast stemmed from Bill Brewster consistently feeling like he was listening to prepackaged material while listening to podcasts. Instead, he wanted long form, in depth, discussions about finance, capital allocation, and the psychology of investing/business. Bill is a private investor. He cohosts the podcast Value: After Hours with Tobias Carlisle and Jake Taylor. Tobias, Jake and Bill met at a Berkshire Hathaway meeting and formed a lasting friendship. And, as it turns out, people really like the podcast. While Bill tries to replicate Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s thought processes, he is heavily influenced by Bill Miller III, Stan Druckenmiller, and others. This podcast is his attempt to dig deeper into other investing/business philosophies and share the knowledge with the world. We are interested in interviewing portfolio managers, Wall Street sell side analysts, buy side analysts, private investors, owner operators, and anyone that is willing to go in depth about running a company/division. So, if you are interested in participating please email us with the subject “Guest Appearance.” Disclaimer: Bill manages a portfolio under the name of Sullimar Capital Group. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast or on SullimarCapital.Group is investment advice. All information in this is opinion based, potentially biased, and requires verification. Bill and his guests make no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness or reasonableness of the information contained in these podcasts. Any assumptions, opinions and estimates expressed constitute the participant’s judgment as of the date thereof and are subject to change without notice. Any projections contained in the information are based on a number of assumptions as to market conditions and there can be no guarantee that any projected outcomes will be achieved. This podcast does not accept any liability for any direct, consequential or other loss arising from reliance on the contents of this presentation. This podcast series DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICIATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED. Seek the your financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other advisor’s advice before making any investment decisions. We are not your fiduciary or advisor.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ryan Dobratz - Real Opportunities

    Ryan Dobratz, from Third Avenue Funds, stops by The Business Brew to discuss Third Ave’s real estate strategy.  Ryan discusses the benefits of focusing on real estate operating companies over REITs, the potential of investments like CBRE, challenges in the office market, and the outlook for residential real estate. They also discuss investment strategies in the residential market, opportunities in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Dobratz's personal career journey.    00:00 Welcome to the Business Brew  00:03 Introducing Ryan Dobratz and Third Avenue Funds  00:39 Disclaimer and Financial Advice Warning  01:44 Starting the Conversation with Ryan Dobratz  02:46 Ryan's Career Journey and Early Influences  05:51 Joining Third Avenue and Moving to New York  08:24 Strategic Move to Austin and Real Estate Insights  09:38 Challenges and Opportunities in the Office Sector  13:10 Investing in Real Estate Services Companies  15:02 Philosophy on NAV and Investment Strategies  23:55 Preference for C Corps Over REITs  28:11 Prologis and Industrial Real Estate  35:21 Public vs. Private Real Estate Investments  39:46 Incentives and Behavioral Finance in Private Markets  40:18 Active vs Passive Investing in Real Estate  42:57 Third Avenue's Real Estate Strategy  46:27 Residential Real Estate Investments  59:46 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: A Deep Dive  01:18:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Tower REITs  01:22:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 22m
  2. 26 SEPT

    Mike Alkin - Talking Uranium

    Mike Alkin of Sachem Cove Partners stops by The Business Brew to share his journey in uncovering the uranium investment thesis. Bill found out about Mike when he began listening to Mike's podcast in 2018/19. At that time, Mike was telling everyone that would listen about how asymmetric the opportunity was. Mike interviewed industry insiders, other investors, and laid out his thesis in public. Bill found it inspiring. This conversation dives deep into the complexities of the uranium market. The discussion includes a detailed analysis of nuclear power, supply-demand dynamics, and the industry’s challenges. Mike also provides valuable advice for young analysts and highlights the significance of contrarian investing. Additionally, they explore recent advancements in nuclear energy and the evolving markets of EVs, wind, and solar energy. As always, this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only, not financial advice.    Michael (Mike) Alkin is a principal of Sachem Cove Partners, LLC, the general partner of Sachem Cove Special Opportunities Fund, LP. He is also the Chief Investment Officer of Public Equities of Lloyd Harbor Capital Management, LLC, the investment manager of the Fund, and in that role is responsible for the Fund’s investment process. He has nearly 30 years of hedge fund experience with extensive investing experience across many cyclical industries. Prior to Sachem Cove and Lloyd Harbor, he was an analyst and partner for 7 years at Knott Partners. Prior to Knott, amongst the firms where held similar roles were Walker Smith Capital, Zweig-DiMenna, and Windsor Partners. Detailed Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to the Business Brew  00:08 Introducing Mike Alkin and the Uranium Thesis  00:48 The Inspiration Behind the Podcast  01:21 Disclaimer and Acknowledgements  02:32 Deep Dive into the Uranium Market  05:26 Challenges and Insights in the Uranium Industry  09:13 Understanding Market Dynamics and Investor Behavior  12:50 The Journey to Conviction in Uranium Investment  17:40 The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy Market  42:39 The Impact of Geopolitical Risks on Uranium Supply  44:32 The Fuel Cycle and U.S. Fuel Buyers  45:23 Challenges with Industry Forecasts  46:11 Presenting at the NEI Conference  47:09 Confrontations and Convictions  48:56 Expert Networks and Market Misconceptions  52:10 Global Nuclear Power Dynamics  01:01:24 Kazakhstan's Uranium Production  01:10:42 The Future of Nuclear and Renewables  01:18:01 Investment Strategies and Advice  01:22:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 25m
  3. 22 AUG

    Richard Cook - Traversing For Value

    Richard Cook, Co-Founder of Cook and Bynum, stops by The Business Brew to discuss his approach to global investing. Richard discusses his concentrated investment strategies, focusing on emerging markets, government dynamics, consumer behavior, and intrinsic value. Highlighting key investments in markets like Mexico, Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Richard discusses operational execution, investor relations, and long-term strategic planning. The episode also covers strategic investments during the Greek financial crisis, the role of conservative management, and the importance of understanding market dynamics. With reflections on experiences in South Africa, Costa Rica, and Turkey, this conversation offers invaluable insights into global investment strategies and the essential qualities of successful business leaders. Tune in to gain expert knowledge on navigating global investments and building a successful investment firm.    00:00 Welcome to The Business Brew  00:07 Introducing Richard Cook  00:45 Investment Philosophy and Strategy  01:09 Shoutout to the Editing Team  02:30 Starting the Interview with Richard Cook  03:02 Emerging Markets and Government Influence  04:15 Investment Holdings and Long-Term Strategy  07:47 The Power of Buybacks and Controlling Shareholders  14:44 Avoiding Bias in Investment Decisions  19:08 Lessons from Past Investments  24:54 Navigating Market Cycles  34:18 Insights on Bottling Businesses  46:58 Premiumization in the Beverage Industry  48:15 Global Consumption Patterns  49:53 Investment Strategies and Intrinsic Value  51:29 Challenges in Forecasting Business Durability  53:32 Insights on Company Valuation  55:15 Case Study: Kraft and Mondelez  59:01 AB InBev and Craft Beer Market  01:09:59 Investment in Jumbo During Greek Crisis  01:20:39 Evaluating Emerging Markets  01:25:55 Building an Investment Firm  01:28:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 29m
  4. 8 AUG

    Bruce Berkowitz - Avoiding Disaster And Generating Returns While Doing So

    In this episode of the Business Brew, host Bill Brewster sits down with the esteemed investor Bruce Berkowitz. They delve deep into Berkowitz's illustrious career, from his strategies during the financial crisis to his current outlook on various investment opportunities, including midstream energy and Florida real estate. Berkowitz shares anecdotes, personal reflections, and valuable lessons learned over decades in finance. Additionally, Berkowitz emphasizes the importance of due diligence and remaining rational amidst market fluctuations. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that offers unique insights into the minds of one of the most successful investors in the industry. 00:00 Welcome to The Business Brew 00:07 Introducing Bruce Berkowitz 01:12 Disclaimer and Due Diligence 02:01 Shoutout to the Editing Team *Dope music* 03:23 Starting the Interview with Bruce Berkowitz 04:19 Bruce's Investment Philosophy 05:06 Insights on Wells Fargo 09:01 The Importance of Management and Culture 10:11 Challenges in the Banking Sector 12:46 Bruce's Focus on U.S. Investments 14:25 Research and Concentration in Investments 20:28 Fairholme's Unique Approach 27:01 Reflections on Sears and Real Estate 30:43 Lessons from St. Joe 32:38 Discussion on St. Joe's Elevated Properties 33:27 Hurricane Resilience and Modern Building Codes 35:07 Investment Strategies and Market Perspectives 35:54 Interest Rates and Duration Risk 39:14 Corporate Spreads and Reinvestment Risk 41:43 Societal Changes and Financial Perspectives 46:17 Enterprise Products and Midstream Energy 48:30 Energy Logistics and Environmental Impact 57:17 Technological Evolution in Energy 01:00:40 Mutual Funds vs. ETFs 01:02:04 Concluding Thoughts and Media Engagement

    1h 4m
  5. 1 AUG

    Blake Haxton - Industrials and High Yield

    Blake Haxton, analyst at Brandywine Global Asset Management's High Yield and Corporate Strategies Group, joins the Business Brew. This discussion focuses on the companies Blake covers as well as his views on markets generally. Blake tends to focus on "old economy" industries so prepare yourself for plenty of energy discussion. Bill and Blake also discuss industrials and homebuilders. The conversation also touches on the merits of high yield as an asset class. Blake was recently featured in Barron's. You can find the article here: https://www.barrons.com/articles/paralympian-blake-haxton-high-yield-brandywine-global-6305e6e5 We hope you enjoy the conversation. Detailed Show Notes: 4:00 - What Blake covers 5:10 - commodities are fairly tight from a supply demand perspective 8:00 - airline discussion 13:00 - energy as an example of how Brandywine looks to take advantage of capital cycles 16:00 - the prospective outlook for high yield 19:00 - how the high yield benchmark is different from the equity benchmark 24:00 - how the improvement in counterparty risk changed the risk/reward of lending to pipeline companies 28:25 - how to think about decline curves in the US vs. Canadian oil companies 30:25 - how differentials impact Canadian energy economics 38:30 - does it make sense to have an allocation to energy? 42:10 - a discussion about how assets generally are priced 52:00 - the pitch for debt vs. equities 54:45 - where is the US housing market in the cycle? 1:06:00 - trading down in credit quality for yield 1:13:00 - how ETFs can provide opportunities when they sell 1:21:00 - how was covering energy in COVID? 1:29:00 - what’s different today with shale as a key producer

    1h 41m

About

Welcome to The Business Brew This podcast’s mission is to dig deep into the thought patterns and analysis of investors and business people. The podcast stemmed from Bill Brewster consistently feeling like he was listening to prepackaged material while listening to podcasts. Instead, he wanted long form, in depth, discussions about finance, capital allocation, and the psychology of investing/business. Bill is a private investor. He cohosts the podcast Value: After Hours with Tobias Carlisle and Jake Taylor. Tobias, Jake and Bill met at a Berkshire Hathaway meeting and formed a lasting friendship. And, as it turns out, people really like the podcast. While Bill tries to replicate Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s thought processes, he is heavily influenced by Bill Miller III, Stan Druckenmiller, and others. This podcast is his attempt to dig deeper into other investing/business philosophies and share the knowledge with the world. We are interested in interviewing portfolio managers, Wall Street sell side analysts, buy side analysts, private investors, owner operators, and anyone that is willing to go in depth about running a company/division. So, if you are interested in participating please email us with the subject “Guest Appearance.” Disclaimer: Bill manages a portfolio under the name of Sullimar Capital Group. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast or on SullimarCapital.Group is investment advice. All information in this is opinion based, potentially biased, and requires verification. Bill and his guests make no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness or reasonableness of the information contained in these podcasts. Any assumptions, opinions and estimates expressed constitute the participant’s judgment as of the date thereof and are subject to change without notice. Any projections contained in the information are based on a number of assumptions as to market conditions and there can be no guarantee that any projected outcomes will be achieved. This podcast does not accept any liability for any direct, consequential or other loss arising from reliance on the contents of this presentation. This podcast series DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICIATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES MENTIONED OR DISCUSSED. Seek the your financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other advisor’s advice before making any investment decisions. We are not your fiduciary or advisor.

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