Hunter Hopcroft, a financial analyst and writer based in New York, delves into the fascinating world of Apollo, a global alternative asset manager. They discuss Apollo's origins from Drexel Burnham and its evolution into a powerhouse in the alternative asset space. The conversation highlights Apollo's knack for complexity, unique investment strategies, and its strategic maneuvers in the competitive landscape, especially in private equity and insurance. Tune in for insights on how Apollo stays ahead in the ever-evolving financial markets!

Brett Larson from NZS Capital, an expert in the industrial economy, joins to discuss Cognex, a leader in machine vision technology. They dive into Cognex's strategic focus on specific customer segments and its unique cyclical revenue model. Larson explains how advancements in deep learning and recent acquisitions position Cognex in the competitive landscape. The conversation also highlights Cognex's distinct corporate culture, the impact of economic cycles on financial performance, and the challenges of navigating international markets.

Graeme Forster from Orbis Investments provides insights into Rolls-Royce's evolution from luxury cars to a leading aerospace manufacturer. He discusses the critical dynamics of aerospace engine sales and the significance of long-term service agreements. Graeme analyzes profit margins and explores strategies employed by new leadership to enhance profitability. The conversation also touches on the future of nuclear power, emphasizing the role of small modular reactors. Overall, his intellectual honesty about the company's challenges and opportunities is refreshing.

Nael Fakhry, Co-CIO of Osterweis Capital Management, shares his deep insights on AMETEK, an industrial conglomerate excelling in niche markets. He discusses AMETEK’s strategic focus on mission-critical components across sectors like MedTech and aerospace. The conversation delves into effective capital allocation, emphasizing management's balance between short and long-term growth. Nael also highlights AMETEK's decentralized growth strategy and their successful approaches to acquisitions, navigating cyclicality while driving consistent revenue and margin expansion.

In this engaging discussion, Bob Desmond, a seasoned Portfolio Manager and Head of Claremont Global, explores the impressive journey of Jack Henry in the banking technology space. He reveals how this fintech giant focuses on organic growth while navigating market dynamics. The conversation delves into the company's unique approach to employee and customer satisfaction, its role in adapting to cloud technology, and the delicate balance between competition and collaboration with traditional banks. Desmond highlights vital business lessons that ensure longevity and resilience in a fluctuating market.

In this discussion, Adam Wyden, founder of ADW Capital, and Chadd Garcia, a portfolio manager at Ave Maria Mutual Funds, dive deep into the transformation of APi Group. They highlight the company’s shift from one-off construction projects to a thriving recurring revenue model, emphasizing the value of strategic acquisitions. The guests explore the empowering employee ownership culture at APi and how it drives engagement and growth. They also analyze the impact of the Chubb acquisition on fire safety services and the broader implications of market dynamics on investments.

Mikhail Lomtadze, Co-founder and CEO of Kaspi.kz, a fintech powerhouse in Kazakhstan, shares insights from his journey transforming a small bank into a vital super app. He discusses the unique challenges of building a digital platform in an emerging market and how Kaspi effectively addresses local financial inclusion issues. The conversation covers their mobile payment innovations, strategic acquisitions, and the cultural focus on extreme simplification that fuels their product development, ensuring sustained competitiveness in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Ryan O'Connor, founder of Crossroads Capital and expert on Nintendo, dives deep into the gaming giant's storied history. He explores Nintendo's transformation from a playing card company to a gaming powerhouse. Key discussions include its rebirth after the 1983 crash, the innovative features of the NES, and the strategic shift towards ongoing revenue with the Switch. O'Connor also highlights Nintendo's evolving IP strategy, emphasizing new monetization avenues in film and television while sharing crucial investment lessons drawn from Nintendo's dynamic journey.

Sia Kamalie, founder and fund manager at Skycatcher, shares his insights on Sony's pivotal role in the video game and entertainment markets. They discuss Sony's strategic transformation, massive valuation, and the integration of blockchain technology. Sia highlights the importance of intellectual property and explores the financial prospects of Sony's PlayStation and Crunchyroll. The conversation also delves into the risks posed by gaming streaming services and the evolving landscape of gaming demographics and content.

Sia Kamalie, founder and fund manager at Skycatcher, shares his expertise on the evolving video game console market. He discusses a major paradigm shift towards software-driven revenue models. The conversation highlights the booming $50 billion market, contrasting spending habits of gamers, and the dominance of giants like Sony and Nintendo. Kamalie also explores Generation Z's impact on gaming dynamics and the prospects for live service games, shedding light on how these trends could reshape the industry's future.