Bob Robotti, founder and CIO of Robotti & Company, joins Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski to explain why bottom-up value investing may be entering one of its best opportunity sets in decades. They discuss AI and reindustrialization, inflation and interest rates, passive investing, capital cycles, private equity, long-term ownership, and why today’s neglected industrial businesses may offer opportunities that the market is missing.

I join Matt Zeigler for one more special episode of Excess Returns. I’m excited to share this episode with you—it’s reposted here with permission and blessing from both Matt and Jack. Don’t miss it! And follow their work; links below.

Bob Robotti on X
https://x.com/BobRobotti
Robotti & Company
https://www.robotti.com

Topics covered

How Bob finds misunderstood businesses with latent earnings power
Why his “grassroots macro” process starts with company-level supply and demand
How AI spending is increasing demand for energy, copper, aluminum, cement and other physical assets
Why North America’s natural gas advantage could support a long-term reindustrialization cycle
Why persistent inflation could force higher interest rates and lower valuation multiples
Why no competitive moat is permanent, even for today’s dominant technology companies
How passive investing and shorter time horizons can create opportunities for fundamental stock pickers
Why prolonged downturns can improve industry economics through consolidation and reduced capacity
Why Bob views himself as an active owner rather than an activist investor
Why he is skeptical of today’s private equity model and its expansion into retirement portfolios
The NewMarket investment that taught him the cost of selling a great business too early
Why he thinks individual company research can outperform indexing over the next decade

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No information discussed in this podcast should be construed as investment advice. Securities discussed may be held by the hosts and guests, their firms or their clients.

Podcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm’s employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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Bob Robotti: We Asked a Value Legend Why the Real AI Trade Isn't AI — And Why Passive Helps Stock Pickers (Excess Returns Podcast)