TheStreet Pro Portfolio Podcast Chris Versace

On this episode, Ed Kovalik, Chairman and CEO, of Prairie Operating Co (PROP) returns to TheStreet Pro Podcast. The conversation with Chris Versace kicks off with an update on Prairie over the last few months, including its pending acquisition of Nickel Road Operating (NRO) which will put the company on the path to having 30 wells in operation by the end of 2024 and another 45 exiting 2025.
Ed also shares more on Prairie’s medium to longer-term operating plan, including how the company intends to eventually reward shareholders, and why its lack of balance sheet leverage gives it an edge. Ed also discusses the long-term demand opportunity with fossil fuels because of growing power demands due to AI, data centers, EV and EV charging, and other factors.  

On this edition of TheStreet Pro Podcast, Chris Versace is joined by Lindsey Bell, Chief Strategist at 248 Ventures. The two start off reminiscing about Lindsey interviewing Chris several years ago when she was at TheStreet, and after sharing her journey to 248 Ventures, the conversation pivots to one about the economy and why Lindsey thinks a Goldilocks economy is emerging. The jobs market and its implications are discussed as well as the housing and manufacturing markets with Lindsey explaining why she is interested in the materials sector. The two agree the upcoming earnings market is likely to be volatile, but as investors periods like that bring opportunity with them.

On this week’s TheStreet Pro Podcast, Chris Versace is joined by Cole Smead, CEO and portfolio manager at Smead Capital Management based in Phoenix, Arizona. Ahead of the March CPI report, the conversation starts with the two discussing their expectations for that report, what it means for Fed policy, and the Fed’s role as a cheerleader for the economy. Cole raises the issue of structural changes in the economy, including the shift in fixed business investment, and why he thinks it means the economy can make do with a higher natural interest rate. The conversation shifts to AI and the CHIPs Act, with Cole sharing why he is wary of diminishing marginal returns for the tech industry.
The two discuss how UniCredit (UNCFF) came to be one of the largest holdings at Smead Capital Management and why the team likes Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) and Credit Acceptance Corp. (CACC). Other sectors discussed include Energy and Financials, with Cole sharing he sees 30% fewer banks in the coming years. The two also touch on Cole’s co-hosting duties for the “A Book With Legs” podcast.
Note: There was a modest technical glitch at the 27-minute mark in the conversation.

On this edition of TheStreet Pro Podcast, Chris Versace is joined by Mr. Morning Recon himself, Stephen “Sarge” Guilfoyle. Out of the gate, the two talk about the current market setup, why Sarge is incrementally bullish on the economy, and the reason he watches Gross Disposable Income as much as GDP. We discuss what levels Sarge is keenly focused on with the Nasdaq Composite as it potentially breaks its lower channel support level. From there Chris and Sarge touch on a few Portfolio holdings and run through Sarge’s thinking on GE Aerospace (GE), Boeing (BA), and Palantir (PLTR), and how to use a GTC scale order.

On this edition of TheStreet Pro Podcast, Chris Versace is joined by Helene Meisler for a technical look at the market. The two discuss the channel Helene sees in the S&P 500 and she explains why she is carefully watching the upward climb in that channel as well as the market’s overbought nature. As she shares, uptrend lines are made to be broken, and while it may not be in the very near term, she explains why she is on high alert.
The conversation morphs into one about the S&P 500’s performance compared to the Nasdaq, why investors should be mindful of what Helene calls “spike highs” in stocks, and what to watch to determine if a stock may power ahead of it. Helene also runs through the sentiment indicators she is watching and discusses why one could be flashing yellow lights in the not-too-distant future. All that plus an interesting and unexpected story about the bond market and Good Friday.

Joining portfolio manager Chris Versace on this edition of TheStreet Pro Podcast is Peter Jackson, CFO of Builders FirstSource (BLDR). The conversation starts with some thoughts on the domestic housing market, one that accounts for more than 80% of Builder’s mix of business and turns quickly to the single-family housing market. That economic engine drives roughly 70% of Builder’s business and the company sees it rising mid-single digits. The conversation quickly turns to the expanding and higher margin Value Add business and how that ties into the company’s digital strategy, one that aims to reduce pain points for homebuilders ranging from large public companies to smaller, regional players and growing dollar share for Builder.
Folks looking for more information on Builders FirstSource may want to visit the company’s Investor Relations website and its latest investor presentation.