July 1, 2024
“In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.”
-Robert Arnott, PHD
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
When I was a kid (a distant memory!) we were assigned “summer reading” which consisted of three of what our English professor at the time considered classics. Think Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc. Our task shortly after school resumed was to produce a book report on each.
I guess they conditioned me well, as I assigned myself a book for summer reading this year (sans the book report!). In looking at a company website this spring for an investment we have held for a number of years (Copart, ticker CPRT) I came across the autobiography of the founder Willis Johnson titled Junk to Gold: Lessons I Learned.
This book is truly a rags to riches story that, frankly, could only happen in America! Willis was the son of a true junk yard dad, one that often bought wrecked vehicles and sold off the various parts for multiples of what he originally paid. Willis was deployed to Vietnam, and returned to join his father in a single southern California junk yard. Being strong-willed, he eventually parted ways with his father.
Along the way he bought up competitors in the junk yard and towing business, and gradually began adding auction services which eventually
moved to the internet. His son-in-law was an early COO of the business and is currently CEO. The company went public in the early 90’s and today Willis and his son-in-law, Jay, are billionaires. With sensors, cameras, and other technology in vehicles totaled, more and more are frequently classified as “totaled” despite lots of valuable parts remaining in the “totaled” vehicle. I’m sure this brings a smile to Willis and Jay’s face. It’s a neat story if you get a chance to pick up a copy.
For most of the year, the stock market’s return has been driven by a select few of the mega capitalization companies: the “magnificent seven” that make up roughly 30% of the S&P Index. This is eerily similar to the late ’90’s “tech bubble” in that markets then were also concentrated in a small number of securities. Please note the chart below that shows a similar trend in “low breadth” rallies during that period.
Although this letter is written in the context of a June 30, 2024, reporting period, I will say that so far in the third calendar quarter or 2024 the equity markets have started to broaden out (thankfully!) into other securities like Copart that we own. In contrast, we remain cautious about the prices for the previously referenced “magnificent” businesses.
In reviewing the contributors to the Intrepid Capital Fund for the second quarter, the one stock we did own in that “magnificent seven” (Alphabet, Inc. – Class A), was also our largest contributor as well – up almost 21% in that period.
Others contributors of significance:
- Jefferies (JEF) +13.57%
- Sprott (SII) +12.63%
- Garmin (GRMN) +9.94%
- TJX Companies (TJX) +8.93%
The biggest detractor was Becle SAV de CV (CUERVO), returning -24.05%. If you aren’t familiar with this name, look closely at the ticker symbol and it might ring some bells! They are a very old family-controlled business that produces Jose Cuervo tequila and other brands of liquor. The political leadership of Mexico has changed with the recent election there, and the successor to AMLO is considered more left wing than he is, unfortunately. That has rattled the peso currency and our shares in the business – which is a good one!
Thank you for your continued support. If there is anything we can do to serve you better, please don’t hesitate to call.
All the best,
Mark F. Travis, President
Intrepid Income Fund Co-Portfolio Manager