Mega-Brands: Investing in Mega Trends Through Mega Brands

This is the audio version for the Q2 Brands commentary and portfolio positioning. This is not investment advice, just one mans opinion on markets, brands, and the consumer! Enjoy!

Today's interview where we talk about the global consumption theme, why it's an important allocation to a portfolio and what drove outperformance 2017-2021, why we underperformed in a tough 2022, what the current opportunities are, and finally, how the portfolio is positioned currently between offense and defense-related brands. For more information: h ttps://www.globalbrandsmatter.com/dyn...

This is an all encompassing audio presentation that discusses why anyone would want to invest in the theme of global household spending (it's a $40+ trillion a year theme), why the theme is the ideal core holding for a portfolio, why having dedication to the most relevant brands makes sense, and why the HSUTX fund is the easiest way to get the broad "lifestyle spending" allocation yo...

Like many in our industry, John started investing (studying businesses and valuing stocks) in college so he's been analyzing businesses and following markets for almost 25 years. John graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Richmond and graduated with his MBA as part of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honors Society from Tulane University. John published a book o...

This is the audio version of our 2022 Fund Letter for the brands strategy. I discuss what went wrong in 2022, where sentiment is and what that could mean for 2023, the history of Fed Funds and inflation versus what we have seen since 2009 and what mega themes and brands we are exposed to as we start 2023. For more information on the brands strategy & portfolio: https://www.globalbrandsmatter.c...

I check in with great investor, Sean Emory CIO of Avory & Co. We talked about the macro and inflationary environment and when we might see a rate of change tailwind. We got back into the company fundamentals, that's what really matters.  We talked about $NTNX growing business case as well as updates on $FVRR $ZG $CPRI Nutanix is still a mis-understood name and acquisition target cited in...

Today I chatted with a dedicated Cannabis, Consumer and Consumer Tech investor, Paul Cerro from Cedar Grove Capital. I met Paul on Twitter ( @paulcerro )and really enjoy his thoughts and reading his notes on substack  https://www.cedargrovecm.com We talked about the Fed, ZIRP and consumer behavior. We talked about Pauls current views on consumer spending and markets and when markets might bot...

Today's conversation was really fun. I talked with founder of New Constructs Research, David Trainer. David has a long career in fundamental analysis and founded New Constructs to enhance the research and data gathering process by harnessing technology. There's enormously important data hidden in company 10Q and 10K's but 99% of analysts do not read these important reports. I am guilty of that mys...

In today's 30 minute quick update I talk about the macro > micro world we live in today, the Fed, the effects on the economy, and which sectors tend to outperform the most. Hint: Tech, Consumer Discretionary, and Healthcare have been the top 3 sectors outperforming the market over most time periods and 30 years of data.   I discuss the benefit of having a consumer core equity allocation, a...

Today's podcast was a treat for me, I have been following Adam for a very long time back to his days at Morgan Stanley. Adam founded Trivariate Research, which combines fundamental, quantitative, and macro analysis to produce actionable research, practical investment advice and analytically rigorous risk management for our clients. They serve institutions, hedge funds, fund companies, and RIA's fa...

Today's chat was incredibly fun. I talked with Paul Sankey, founder of Sankey Research, an energy consultant and advisor to energy companies and large institutional investors. With many decades of energy industry experience, Paul has become THE expert on energy stocks and the energy industry.  We talked about energy policy, the current supply/demand imbalance and the new and improved investme...

Today I chatted with a dedicated Cannabis, Consumer and Consumer Tech investor, Paul Cerro from Cedar Grove Capital. I met Paul on Twitter ( @paulcerro )and really enjoy his thoughts and reading his notes on substack ( https://cedargrovecapital.substack.com ) We talked about the Cannabis industry and the absolutely huge potential for outsized gains for patient investors willing to hold through the...

I spent a week going through Under Armour's website, its app, the quarterly reports and annual reports to try and identify what's wrong with the company and it's stock. Overall, UAA seems to be following the typical trajectory of a brand that becomes irrelevant over time.  One of the hallmarks of mostly irrelevant brands and underperforming stocks is having lower margins than peers while stil...

This chat is my all-time favorite conversation with the best consumer analyst in the industry. He's a top ranked analyst for a reason, he knows retail and the consumer better than anyone. Simeon started his career at Goldman and simply has better insights than most analysts. In my experience, not every analyst understands the power of the brand, sometimes the intangible asset of brand tells a diff...

It's nice to have a former guest, Sean Emory back on the podcast. We talked about the macro and inflationary environment and when we might see a rate of change tailwind. We also talk about the kinds of companies that should continue to perform well into the future and how disconnected the current businesses are from their stock prices. Eventually the actual business performance will drive these st...

I discuss the market for the first half of 2022 and add a historical perspective from 1970, the last time markets had as bad a first 6 months. I talk about the inflation, rates and macro headwinds we face and add some color around how consumers and businesses are dealing with a slowdown and high inflation. I talk about the power of Brands and why they are very well positioned for the environment w...

Today's conversation was one of my favorites. I have been a long-term follower of Mark Mahaney (@markmahaney on Twitter). He's been covering tech and Internet stocks for 30+ years and has seen every cycle - good and bad. In periods like today, that's enormously valuable to investors.  We talked about his recent book release "Nothing But Net", my new favorite.  Available on Amazon: https:...

In episode 6, I have a wonderful conversation with Barry Schwartz of Baskin Wealth in Toronto. Barry's a very smart investor of high quality, stable companies. We talk about the current market sell-off and what drives his investment decisions. Baskin runs a core equity portfolio that holds some significant exposure in Mega Brands like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Costco, Visa, Amazon, Netflix, Ferrar...

In today's chat, I talk with an incredibly experienced retail investor, Rahul Sharma of Neev Capital (@Retail_Guru on Twitter)  Rahul is a former Global Consumer Fund Manager and has worked with Citi and Alliance Capital. Our discussion begins with the state of the consumer and consumer balance sheets. We talk about consumer sentiment and the inflation that consumers around the world are seei...

Today I welcome back a former guest, Sharif Farha from Safehouse Capital in Dubai. We both manage consumer-focused portfolios and todays conversation we cover a host of brands and thematics. We talked about the loathing of anything with the word "growth" attached to it and talk about why we own: RH - Restoration Hardware & Amazon Why Sharif likes and owns: Sony, Activision, Spotify, Universal...

This is the audio version of our 2021 Brands Fund Letter. Welcome to Mr. Toads Wild Ride market in 2021. I highlight the kind of market environment we had in 2021, what we see for 2022 and how we are positioned. I talk about the spending categories we are invested in as well as which brands are the most relevant based on our analysis. I talk about the distortions that have been created through Cov...

Today, we have a spirited discussion with two well-informed METAVERSE investors and ETF product creators. Sean Avory or Avory & Co and Will Hershey of Roundhill Investments join me to discuss the Metaverse, (META ETF via Roundhill) why it's being created and demands our attention and who likely benefits from its creation and evolution. We also talk about the video gamers and their role in the...

Today's conversation focuses on a recent report from MBLM.com called: Brand Intimacy - Covid Update. I talk with Mario Natarelli, Managing Partner of Brand Design Firm MBLM.com. We discussed what his firm does with B2B and B2C brands, why it's important and how Covid has affected consumers and brand relevance & intimacy.  There were some very interesting changes with emotional bonds with...

My conversation today is with Nathan Miller, the PM and creator of the Alpha Opportunities strategy that's now available via an active ETF with the symbol, "EOPS."  For more information about the ETF, go to https://www.emles.com/etf/emles-alpha-opportunities-etf/ Conversation details: Nathan's experience: Legg Mason (Value) / Goldman Sachs (Fundamental) / SAC (Catalyst/Event) / RBC (Managemen...

Today's conversation is a one-on-one chat with my co-Portfolio Manager on the Dynamic Brands Strategy, James Calhoun. James is a CFA and vital to all the macro and micro work we do at Accuvest. In our chat we talk about the current state of the economy, the potential risks going forward and the opportunities across the consumption theme and a recovering global economy. We talk specifically about o...