Financial Planning – Page 2 – Thematic Investors

Thematic Investors: Alan Bezoza, DigitalBridge on finding the shiny penny in telecom investing

By Thematic Investors | December 18, 2023

In the fast-paced world of institutional investing, the speed of innovation varies across different sectors. However, in the realm of telecommunications, investment strategies are constantly evolving. Whether your focus is on the cutting-edge upstream products like carriers, data centers, and telecom companies, or the dynamic downstream products such as semiconductors and the intricate supply chain that supports them, this industry is always driving forward.

In our latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host, Kieran Cavanna, speaks with Alan Bezoza, Managing Director, Liquid Strategies at DigitalBridge Investment Management. The conversation will touch on the evolution of the telecom sector, cloud wars (both 1.0 and 2.0) and the overall ecosystem, future trends, and a lot more.

Alan covers:

how his early intellectual curiosity led to a career in telecom investing by blending an inner tech nerd with financial analyst expertise.
the demand for power, space, and connectivity in the cloud ecosystem and how the shift to AI is driving change in this area.
how is the industry balancing the power hunger of servers and the data centers that are being built to meet the needs.
The power requirements for AI and the need to move data centers to areas with cheaper power
what plans are in place by the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Amazon to enhance AI in Cloud Wars 2.0.
how the investment narrative in supply and demand change depending on semiconductor analysts vs. data center analysts.
why many analysts viewed cable as a product that couldn’t scale, and yet DSL ended up being the biggest loser in the telecom battle..
why are Comcast and Charter floundering, while T-Mobile and Verizon are adding almost a million subscribers per quarter.
why Denver is such a linchpin for the telecom industry.
Speculation on the future of telecom, chips, artificial intelligence, and longer-term increments.
And more!

Connect with Kieran Cavanna:

Connect with Alan Bezoza:

About Alan Bezoza:

Alan Bezoza is a Managing Director of Liquid Strategies at DigitalBridge Investment Management with a focus on public equity securities within the Technology, Media, and Telecom sectors. Mr. Bezoza has spent over 20 years researching and investing in the TMT sector with a particular focus on the global Communications and Media Ecosystem, which includes media, cable, telecoms, mobile towers, data centers, communications technology, data networking, and their respective supply chains.

Prior to joining DigitalBridge in 2020, Mr. Bezoza was a Partner and Sector Head at Dorsal Capital, a market-neutral hedge fund, where he focused on the Media, Telecom, and Communications Technology sectors. Prior to Dorsal, he spent over seven years at Janus Capital, where he was a Senior Analyst and Co-Sector Lead of the Communications investment team that included the Telecom, Media, and Internet sectors. Mr. Bezoza previously worked in equity research as a Senior Vice President at both Oppenheimer and Friedman Billings Ramsey. He has published numerous industry white papers, appearing in print and financial news outlets (CNBC, Bloomberg, WSJ, etc.), and has keynoted industry conferences. In 2005, he was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a “Best on the Street” analyst for his stock picks in the Broadcasting and Entertainment sector. Mr. Bezoza started his career at Lazard Asset Management, where he worked on the Emerging Markets and International small-cap portfolios.

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Thematic Investors: Why Institutional Investors Should Consider Uranium

By ThematicInvestors | October 2, 2023

When it comes to institutional investors exploring alternative energy sources uranium and nuclear energy present an intriguing opportunity. With the pressing need to address high global energy demands and combat climate change, this is an energy source that should not be underestimated. However, concerns still exist in terms of supply and demand as well as the geopolitical environment on the global stage.

In our highly anticipated second episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host, Kieran Cavanna, engages in a captivating discussion on uranium investing with Daren Heitman, CFA, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, and Chris Gillespie, Partner and Co-Portfolio Manager at Azarias Capital Management.

Daren and Chris discuss:

is now the right time for institutional investors to take a serious look at uranium investing options.
why haven’t we seen this commodity start to spike? When will contracting start to build true momentum?
how is the industry leader, Cameco changing their approach to uranium production to be more responsible for longer-term investors.
the risks associated with the United States’ dependence on Russia and Kazakhstan for nuclear fuel supply.
the increasing acceptance of nuclear power as a viable solution for meeting climate change goals.
the buildouts and extensions that the US, China, and Japan are planning versus a country like Germany who is looking to shut their plants completely.
and more!

Connect with Kieran Cavanna:

To learn more about our host visit:

Connect with Azarias Captial Management:

About Daren Heitman:

Daren Heitman was most recently a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Philadelphia-based Cooke & Bieler (2005-2014), where he led the firm’s successful launch of its Small Cap Value strategy and co-managed over $4 billion in mid/large-cap equities for institutional clients. He was previously a Senior Analyst and Partner at Schneider Capital Management (2000-2005), where he conducted in-depth research and analysis, mainly on small-cap value stocks.

He began his investment management career in 1994 at Skyline Asset Management, a Chicago-based investment advisory firm specializing in small-cap value management, where he was engaged full-time in small-cap value fundamental research. Daren earned an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago – Graduate School of Business. He is also a graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. in Finance.

About Chris Gillespie:

Chris Gillespie joined Azarias Capital in March 2015. Chris was previously a Senior Analyst and Partner at Schneider Capital Management (1999-2015). While at Schneider, he conducted in-depth, fundamental research on small and mid-cap value companies across a broad range of sectors, including industrial, machinery, autos, food & beverage, metal & mining, commodities, and trucking.

Chris earned an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School and graduated with Honors from Boston College with a B.S. in Economics.

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Thematic Investors: Fueling Technological Breakthroughs in Energy Transition

By ThematicInvestors | September 11, 2023

Back in 1962, President Kennedy declared that by the end of the decade the United States would have a man on the moon. Energy transition is an entirely different animal where the technology, consumer sentiment, and politics will require further progress before we can declare victory.

In this inaugural episode, Kieran Cavanna, CIO, Old Farm Partners and host of the Thematic Investors podcast, is joined by Todd Kantor, Founder and Managing Member of Encompass Capital Advisors LLC. This is a critical podcast for those interested in energy transition and the investment strategies that are required to play in this arena.

Kieran and Todd discuss:

How Todd and the Encompass team define above and below surface risk, and how they apply it in investment decisions today.
Are we fighting a losing battle in climate change if China emissions have increased over 7 billion tons since 1999?
How much are Americans willing to spend in the fight on climate change? Hint: there’s a significant mismatch between responses and what’s actually needed.
The difference in active investing and passive investing in this sector.
The critical importance of data analytics, and why being a data junkie is especially important when analyzing energy transition strategies.
And more!

Any statements provided by Encompass Capital Advisors LLC are for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any investment product or services offered. While all the information discussed is believed to be accurate, Encompass makes no express warranty as to its completeness or accuracy, nor can it accept responsibility for any errors. The views and opinions expressed maybe forward looking and are subject to change without notice. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which occur.

Connect with Kieran Cavanna:

To learn more about our host visit: https://www.vidrio.com/blog/thematic-investors-podcast-kantor-encompass

About Todd Kantor:

Todd Kantor is a founder and Managing Member of Encompass Capital Advisors LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. He has over 21 years of experience in the global energy markets as a portfolio manager, analyst, trader, and investment banker. Mr. Kantor is the Portfolio Manager of the Encompass Funds. Mr. Kantor manages an alpha-driven long/short equity strategy focused on bottom-up fundamental research analysis across a variety of global energy sub-sectors which include traditional exploration & production, and oil field services, energy transition, renewables, and energy-related cyclical sub-sectors. Encompass Capital launched on February 1, 2012, when Mr. Kantor and his core team spun out from Citadel LLC PioneerPath Capital platform where Mr. Kantor managed an energy-focused portfolio from May 2008 to January 2012. With a team of fifteen professionals, Mr. Kantor oversees an eight-person investment team. The Encompass investment process developed by Mr. Kantor is underpinned by rigorous modeling of equities and commodities, coupled with extensive data analysis and communication with management teams globally. Mr. Kantor started his career at JP Morgan in the Global Oil & Gas Investment Banking Group, and subsequently held analyst positions at Solstice Equity Management, a fund within the Bass Brothers Taylor Fund L.P, and Touradji Capital, a “Tiger cub”. Mr. Kantor has a B.B.A. degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University with a concentration in Finance.

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