The World According to Boyar

Episode Summary:In this episode, Jonathan Boyar welcomes Chris Halpin, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of IAC—a holding company known for its savvy capital allocation and track record of building internet leaders like Expedia, Match Group, and Ticketmaster. Chris brings a unique perspective shaped by senior roles at the NFL and Providence Equity before joining IAC. He and Jonathan explore how IAC is navigating today’s market, why the stock is significantly undervalued, and how the company is positioning key holdings like Dotdash Meredith, Turo, and Care.com for long-term success. Whether you're an investor, media strategist, or just someone fascinated by the business of the internet, this episode offers a front-row seat to how IAC is building value in unconventional and often overlooked digital businesses. Topics Discussed Chris’s unique journey from private equity to the NFL to IAC The transformation of Dotdash Meredith The business case behind IAC’s OpenAI partnership How IAC is thinking about Turo’s valuation, growth trajectory, and timing around a potential IPO Margin structure and monetization strategy in digital media IAC’s approach to valuation, capital allocation, and market mispricing “Sacred cows” and how IAC avoids them Lessons from working with media rights at the NFL Why Chris thinks IAC is trading at a dramatic discount to fair value To learn more visit:www.boyarvaluegroup.comhttps://boyarresearch.substack.com/or follow us on X @boyarvalue    Biography:Christopher Halpin is Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of IAC. Mr. Halpin leads corporate finance, accounting, M&A, investor relations, and administration functions while also overseeing the day-to-day function and execution of IAC’s businesses. Prior to his appointment at IAC, Mr. Halpin spent nearly a decade in leadership roles at the National Football League (NFL), most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. In this role Mr. Halpin oversaw strategic planning and data and analytics, as well as key growth areas, including managing the NFL’s international business and leading its legalized sports betting strategy. Other past leadership roles at the NFL include Senior Vice President, Consumer Products & Licensing, and Vice President of Media Strategy & Business Development. Before joining the NFL in June 2013, Mr. Halpin was a Partner and Managing Director at Providence Equity Partners. During his 13 years at Providence, Mr. Halpin worked across the firm's investment activities in the Media & Entertainment, Wireless/Satellite and Business Services sectors, and also opened and served as Co-Head of the firm's Hong Kong office. Mr. Halpin started his career in the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs & Co. Mr. Halpin is a graduate of Princeton University with an A.B. in Economics (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude), and is a board member of Turo, the Children's Scholarship Fund, the Ladies ProfesUnlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

Bill Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, discusses his ambitious plans for the Howard Hughes Corporation, aiming to transform it into a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway. He shares his views on the Trump administration and the significant impact of deregulation. Ackman also tackles pressing issues like antisemitism and media bias, positioning them within a broader narrative of free speech and democracy. His outspoken approach on social media and strategies to enhance shareholder value provide a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of investment, politics, and activism.

Join host Jonathan Boyar as he sits down with Kunal Kapoor, the dynamic CEO of Morningstar, in this episode of The World According to Boyar. Dive into the story behind one of the most influential firms in the financial services industry and discover how Kunal’s leadership has propelled Morningstar to new heights.Kunal discusses Morningstar's mission to empower investor success through independent research and data-driven insights. He shares insights on the evolution of Morningstar, the importance of simplicity and low-cost investment strategies, and the role of technology and AI in the research process. Kunal also talks about Morningstar's growth strategy, including their expansion into private markets, the index business, and the credit ratings sector. Tune in to hear Kunal's thoughts on the future of investing, the importance of company culture, and his perspective on investing in family-controlled businesses. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of finance and the strategies driving Morningstar's growth.The Interview Discusses: Kunal Kapoor's Journey: From starting as an analyst to becoming the CEO of Morningstar, a leading firm in the financial services industry.Morningstar's Mission: Empowering investor success through independent research and innovative tools.Market Evolution: The shift from simple portfolios of stocks and bonds to more complex investment vehicles like private equity and managed portfolios.Impact of AI: How Morningstar is integrating AI into its research process with tools like Mo, and the future role of AI in fundamental analysis.Morningstar's Growth: Expanding into new areas like private markets, credit ratings, and index creation, and the challenges of scaling a large organization.Investment Philosophy: The importance of simplicity, low-cost investing, and the value of time arbitrage in achieving long-term success.Challenges of Leadership: Managing a growing, decentralized team while maintaining Morningstar's mission-driven culture.Credit Ratings Business: Morningstar's approach to ethical credit ratings and its competition with entrenched players.Morningstar's Competitive Edge: The benefits of being a mission-driven, long-term-focused, and independent company in the financial industry.Family Controlled Businesses: Thoughts on investing in family-controlled companiesBiography: Kunal Kapoor, CFA, is the chief executive officer of Morningstar. Before assuming his current role in 2017, he served as president, responsible for product development and innovation, sales and marketing, and driving strategic prioritization across the firm.  Since joining Morningstar in 1997 as a data analyst, Kapoor has held a variety of roles at the firm, including leadership positions in research and innovation. He served as director of mutual fund research and was part of the team that launched Morningstar Investment Services, Inc., before moving on to other roles including director of business strategy for international operations, and later, president and chief investment officer of Morningstar Investment Services. During his tenure, he has also led Morningstar.com® and the firm’s data business as well as its global products and client solutions group. Kapoor holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and environmeUnlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

This week, I had the honor of interviewing Thomas Peterffy, the founder of Interactive Brokers, on The World According to Boyar podcast. Thomas’s life exemplifies the American Dream: When he came to the United States from Communist Hungary in 1965, virtually penniless and with no knowledge of English, he immediately began teaching himself computer programming while saving up for a seat on the American Stock Exchange. Using technological advances he himself helped pioneer, Thomas established a successful market-making business, paving the way for his biggest financial success: Interactive Brokers, which has a market capitalization north of $50 billion and where he is by far the biggest shareholder. Stay tuned for my discussion with Mr. Peterffy—I think you’ll find it as educational as it is inspiring.The Interview Discusses:Thomas Peterffy’s background.Challenges of adapting to a new country and finding work.The immigrant mentality and its impact on success.The importance of rewarding merit in a free market economy.The value proposition Interactive Brokers brings to clients.Importance of maintaining a conservative balance sheet and excess capital.Future growth areas, including global markets and professional investors.Interactive Brokers’ unique position in the marketplace.The potential impact of future presidential administrations on business.Thomas’s decision to step down as CEO and focus on his role as chairman.The joy of building and improving the Interactive Brokers platform.Biography:Thomas Peterffy is founder and chairman of Interactive Brokers. A pioneer of digital trading in the 1980s, he was the first to build computer systems able to trade financial assets electronically, independent of direct human intervention. Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1944, he escaped communism in 1965 by emigrating to the United States. He learned computer programming, and his formula for pricing contingent assets was an early version of what is now known as the Black-Scholes model. In 1977, he became a member of the American Stock Exchange. Peterffy built the first automated market-making firm for stocks, options, and futures, which later gave rise to Interactive Brokers, a global, electronic broker with a market capitalization of  over $50 billion.Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses:Bill Wilson’s rise from a data-driven marketer at Arista Records to helming a digital-first local media empire.The extraordinary experience of working with Clive Davis. How he utilized traditional radio as a “trojan horse” to build a digital media company.The competitive advantage of  operating in smaller markets.Why a local content strategy is so differentiated in today’s environment.Bill’s thoughts on capital allocation.His views on running a publicly traded company.Why he believes Townsquare’s stock is intrinsically undervalued.How he intends to unlock shareholder value if the stock price languishes.And much more…Biography:Mr. Wilson joined Townsquare in September 2010 and previously served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Content & Digital Officer of the Company. Prior to joining Townsquare, Mr. Wilson was President of AOL Media from 2006 to May 2010 where he had overall responsibility for AOL’s global content strategy. In his nine years at AOL, he also served in a number of roles including President, AOL Programming & Studios and Executive Vice President; and under his leadership, AOL’s content sites grew to reach more than 75 million monthly unique visitors domestically and over 150 million worldwide.Prior to joining AOL in 2001, Mr. Wilson served as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Marketing at Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), which he joined in 1992, and was responsible for worldwide marketing including artist, digital and non-traditional marketing across more than 50 countries for the world’s biggest artists including Dave Matthews Band, OutKast, Foo Fighters, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, Santana and numerous major recording artists over his tenure at BMG.  Mr. Wilson started his career at BMG subsidiary Arista Records under the guidance of Clive Davis and Richard Sanders, where he was a product manager working with artists across numerous genres including Notorious B.I.G., TLC,  Sarah McLachlan, Kenny G and Spiritualized.Mr. Wilson won an Emmy Award in 2006 for the record setting Live 8 program and was named to the Hollywood Reporter’s “Digital Power List” in 2008, which profiles the 50 people who most influence the creation and distribution of content online. In addition, he was profiled in Crain’s New York Business’ “40 under Forty” and Billboard’s “Power Players” in Digital Entertainment in 2005, as well as Hollywood Reporter’s “Next Generation” in 2003, and Radio Ink’s “Most Powerful in Radio” in 2018 - 2023. Mr. Wilson was voted the Radio Board Chair of the National Association of Broadcasters (“NAB”) in June 2021, after serving on the Executive Board of the NAB since 2020 and previously serving as a NAB Board Member. Mr. Wilson was also recently recognized as 2021 “Executive of The Year” by Radio Ink.Mr. Wilson graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook with a B.A. in economics and a B.S. in business management and earned a M.B.A. with honors in finance and marketing from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Management.Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses: Anthony’s amazing life story growing up from humble beginnings to becoming a major success on Wall Street.His theory on resiliency and how he was able to recover after being fired from both Goldman Sachs and the White House.Why he is investing in cryptocurrencies.How Bill Miller influenced his investment decision makingHow Warren Buffett cost him a lot of moneyHis support of Israel And much more!Biography:Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio.Prior to founding SkyBridge in 2005, Scaramucci co-founded investment partnership Oscar Capital Management, which was sold to Neuberger Berman in 2001. Earlier, he worked in Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs & Co. Scaramucci served on President Donald J. Trump’s 16-person Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee, and in 2017 briefly served as Chief Strategy Officer of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and White House Communications Director. Scaramucci, a native of Long Island, New York, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.Every December for over three decades, Boyar Research has published the Forgotten Forty, a curation of comprehensive one-page reports on the 40 companies in our research universe that we believe will outperform the leading indices in the year ahead due to a catalyst we see on the horizon. The Forgotten Forty 2024 is now available for pre-purchase at 50% off until December 20th. To find out more information on this offer, click here. Important Disclosures. The information herein is provided by Boyar’s Intrinsic Value Research LLC (“Boyar Research”) and: (a) is for general, informational purposes only; (b) is not tailored to the specific investment needs of any specific person or entity; and (c) should not be construed as investment advice. Boyar Research does not offer investment advisory services and is not an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other regulatory body. Any opinions expressed herein represent current opinions of Boyar Research only, and no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein. Boyar Research assumes no obligation to update or revise such information. In addition, certain information herein has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources, and, although Boyar Research believes this information to be reliable, Boyar Research has not independently verified such information and is not responsible for third-party errors. You should not assume that any investment discussed herein will be profitable or that any investment decisions in the future will be profitable. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Important Information: Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses:Growing up in Iran and how having a global upbringing has  impacted him as an investor.Why he is more comfortable investing in the United States.How his grandparents fleeing Nazi Germany has impacted his investment decision making.His experience as an investor during the financial crisis and how he invests during uncertain times.What about the current geopolitical landscape scares him as an investor.His thoughts on holding cash as an investment.His opinion on investing in small capitalization companiesWhy as a value investor he is comfortable investing in high multiple stocks.Why he owns Mastercard & Bank of America.Biography: Guy Spier is a Zurich based author and investor. Guy completed his MBA at the Harvard Business School, class of 1993, and holds a First Class degree in PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) from Oxford University where he studied at Brasenose College with the British Prime minister David Cameron.  After completing his MBA, Guy started the Aquamarine Fund which is an investment vehicle inspired by the original 1950's Buffett partnerships, and run with a close replication of the original Buffett partnership rules. The focus is on investing for long term capital appreciation and capital preservation by running a portfolio of equity investments with the goal of acquiring companies with outstanding long-term economics at a reasonable price and where there is a sufficient margin of safety between the company’s market price and its intrinsic value. Typical investors include high net worth individuals, family offices and private banks. In 2008 Guy made news by bidding $650,000 with his friend, Mohnish Pabrai, to have a charity lunch with Warren Buffett.  His book, “The Education of a Value Investor” has sold more than 40,000 copies and has also been translated into Hebrew, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Mandarin and Spanish.Important Disclosures. The information herein is provided by Boyar’s Intrinsic Value Research LLC (“Boyar Research”) and: (a) is for general, informational purposes only; (b) is not tailored to the specific investment needs of any specific person or entity; and (c) should not be construed as investment advice. Boyar Research does not offer investment advisory services and is not an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other regulatory body. Any opinions expressed herein represent current opinions of Boyar Research only, and no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein. Boyar Research assumes no obligation to update or revise such information. In addition, certain information herein has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources, and, although Boyar Research believes this information to be reliable, Boyar Research has not independently verified such information and is not responsible for third-party errors. You should not assume that any investment discussed herein will be profitable or that any investment decisions in the future will be profitable. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Important Information: Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses:His remarkable turnaround of Domino’s Pizza where he increased the share price by 23x.The opportunity he saw at Restaurant Brands that convinced him to invest $30 million personally in the company’s shares (and pledge to hold it for 5 years).The dynamics of working for a company controlled by private equity firm 3G.The importance of franchisee profitability for his turnaround plan.Tim Hortons extraordinary success in Canada and how that can be replicated in other parts of the world. Why Burger King International is performing well and Burger King US is struggling.Could Tim Hortons alone eventually be worth more than Restaurant Brands is currently? His role as Executive Chairman.What it was like being on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money.The difference between his role at Restaurant Brands where he is Executive Chairman and his role at Best Buy where he is Non-Executive Chairman. ---And much more! Nothing in this podcast constitutes investment advice.  Biography:Mr. Doyle was appointed Executive Chairman of RBI in November 2022 to accelerate growth for franchisees and shareholders. Most recently, he has served as an executive partner of the Carlyle Group, a global diversified investment firm, focused on the consumer sector. Prior to that he served as the chief executive officer of Domino’s Pizza, from March 2010 to June 2018, having served as president from 2007 to 2010, as executive vice president of Domino’s Team USA from 2004 to 2007 and as executive vice president of Domino’s Pizza International from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Doyle has served on the board of directors of Best Buy Co., Inc. since November 2014 and has been the Chairman of Best Buy’s board since May 2020.Important Disclosures. The information herein is provided by Boyar’s Intrinsic Value Research LLC (“Boyar Research”) and: (a) is for general, informational purposes only; (b) is not tailored to the specific investment needs of any specific person or entity; and (c) should not be construed as investment advice. Boyar Research does not offer investment advisory services and is not an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other regulatory body. Any opinions expressed herein represent current opinions of Boyar Research only, and no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein. Boyar Research assumes no obligation to update or revise such information. In addition, certain information herein has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources, and, although Boyar Research believes this information to be reliable, Boyar Research has not independently verified such information and is not responsible for third-party errors. You should not assume that any investment discussed herein will be profitable or that any investment decisions in the future will be profitable. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Important Information: Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses: The rise and fall of GE.What could have been done to save General Electric.Who is to blame for GE’s demise.His in-depth interviews with both Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt. The fundamental error that Jack Welch made that tarnished his legacy.How GE capital almost filed for bankruptcy during the financial crisis.What Disney can learn from GE’s succession issues.The mistake GE made by selling NBC Universal to Comcast (and one thing about the deal you probably  never knew).His latest media venture called Puck.And much more…William D. Cohan, a former senior Wall Street M&A investment banker for 17 years at Lazard Frères & Co., Merrill Lynch and JPMorganChase, is the New York Times bestselling author of three non-fiction narratives about Wall Street: Money and Power. His new book Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon, about the rise and fall of GE, once the world’s most powerful, valuable and important company, was published in November 2022 by Penguin Random House. He is a founding partner of Puck, a digital publication owned and operated by journalists, and a writer-at-large for Air Mail. For 13 years, he was a special correspondent at Vanity Fair. Important Disclosures. The information herein is provided by Boyar’s Intrinsic Value Research LLC (“Boyar Research”) and: (a) is for general, informational purposes only; (b) is not tailored to the specific investment needs of any specific person or entity; and (c) should not be construed as investment advice. Boyar Research does not offer investment advisory services and is not an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other regulatory body. Any opinions expressed herein represent current opinions of Boyar Research only, and no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein. Boyar Research assumes no obligation to update or revise such information. In addition, certain information herein has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources, and, although Boyar Research believes this information to be reliable, Boyar Research has not independently verified such information and is not responsible for third-party errors. You should not assume that any investment discussed herein will be profitable or that any investment decisions in the future will be profitable. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Important Information: Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com

The Interview Discusses:How he turned around Callaway’s traditional business.How “off course” golf is now larger than “on course” golf.How Topgolf is increasing participation in traditional golf.The economics behind a Topgolf location and why scale matters.Why he does not believe a rising interest rate environment will impact the expansion of TopGolf.How he had the confidence to “bet the company” and purchase Topgolf in 2020 (during the throes of Covid).The significant opportunity they have with Toptracer.His thoughts on the current valuation of Topgolf Callaway Brands.To request a copy of our report on Topgolf Callaway Brands that appeared in the recently released Boyar's Forgotten Forty, please click here. Important Disclosures. The information herein is provided by Boyar’s Intrinsic Value Research LLC (“Boyar Research”) and: (a) is for general, informational purposes only; (b) is not tailored to the specific investment needs of any specific person or entity; and (c) should not be construed as investment advice. Boyar Research does not offer investment advisory services and is not an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any other regulatory body. Any opinions expressed herein represent current opinions of Boyar Research only, and no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information herein. Boyar Research assumes no obligation to update or revise such information. In addition, certain information herein has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources, and, although Boyar Research believes this information to be reliable, Boyar Research has not independently verified such information and is not responsible for third-party errors. You should not assume that any investment discussed herein will be profitable or that any investment decisions in the future will be profitable. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Important Information: Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Unlocking Investment Opportunities Since 1975 At the Boyar Value Group, we've dedicated nearly five decades to the pursuit of value on behalf of our clients. Founded in 1975, our firm has earned a reputation as a trusted source for uncovering undervalued opportunities in the stock market. To find out more about the Boyar Value Group, please visit www.boyarvaluegroup.com