Alex Fitch

Bill Nygren and Alex Fitch, experienced investors at Oakmark, delve into the fascinating world of First Citizens Bank. They discuss the bank's unorthodox acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank and its distinctive approach compared to larger Wall Street firms. The duo highlights First Citizens' conservative risk management and customer-first philosophy. They also analyze bank valuations, explore the challenges of FDIC auctions, and examine how interest rate fluctuations impact the banking sector. Their insights showcase the resilience and unique strategies that set First Citizens apart.

Estimating mid-cycle, normalized earnings for value investing, discussions on CBRE and SCHW examples, adjustments for software companies like Salesforce, Amazon and Alphabet examples, P/E ratio determinations, Masco and American Express examples, dealing with stocks with wider range of outcomes, picking required rate of return, idea generation and research process at Harris Oakmark, qualities needed in an analyst, fostering a culture of humility and debate

Bill Nygren, a value investing guru at Oakmark Funds, and Alex Fitch, his fellow portfolio manager, delve into intriguing market insights. They explain Oakmark's strategy for navigating today’s economy and discuss why Warner Brothers Discovery is currently undervalued post-merger. The duo also highlights Lithia Motors' clever success in the used car market while contrasting it with struggling competitor Carvana. Additionally, they explore the mixed reactions to Meta's Metaverse investments, questioning its financial wisdom amid strong cash flows from Instagram.