RWH053: Trouble Ahead w/ Bill Priest

Join us as Jeff Walton unpacks MicroStrategy's innovative financial strategies, including leveraging Bitcoin volatility, issuing convertible bonds, and building a balance sheet of permanent capital. We dive into valuations, ETF dynamics, accretive dilution, and what it means to be the "bank of the future." IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - What "capturing the spread" means in MicroStrategy's strategy. 02:32 - The difference between issuing convertible notes and common stock. 06:26 - An explanation of accretive dilution and its role in corporate strategy. 09:44 - How MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings position it as a "bank of the future." 20:52 - Insights into constructing a leveraged balance sheet with permanent capital. 23:04 - Why MicroStrategy issued two consecutive convertible bonds. 28:49 - How Michael Saylor's "Bitcoin nuclear reactor" concept reshapes volatility. 39:47 - The impact of entering the NASDAQ and index weighting on stock performance. 48:33 - Metrics to consider when starting a position in MicroStrategy or Bitcoin. Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock SimpleMining Unchained The Bitcoin Way Found Fintool Bluehost Vanta Fintool PrizePicks Onramp TurboTax Fundrise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Eddy Elfenbein to discuss his top stock picks for 2025. After Clay lets Eddy go, he also outlines his top stock pick for 2025 — Lumine Group. Eddy Elfenbein is a portfolio manager and creator of the Buy List, a portfolio of high-quality stocks that have consistently outperformed the market. Known for his Crossing Wall Street blog, he simplifies complex financial concepts into actionable insights for investors. He also manages the AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF ($CWS), which is based on his Buy List of high-quality stocks. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 04:29 - Eddy’s views on the current market and economy. 07:00 - The Buy List’s top performers from 2024. 14:41 - An overview of the names he added and removed from The Buy List. 30:38 - How Eddy balances being aware of the macro environment without letting it override his investment process. 44:15 - The investment thesis for Lumine Group. And so much more! Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. The Buy List for 2025. Crossing Wall Street Blog and Substack. ETF (Ticker: CWS) information. Clay’s previous episode on Mark Leonard’s shareholder letters. Check out Interactive Brokers. Seeking Winners Substack (Lumine write-up is titled, ‘Carving Out Growth’). Email Shawn at shawn@theinvestorspodcast.com to attend our free events in Omaha or visit this page. Follow Clay on Twitter. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock SimpleMining Unchained The Bitcoin Way Found Fintool Bluehost Vanta Fintool PrizePicks Onramp TurboTax Fundrise HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In this episode, we discuss the Africa Bitcoin Conference, the passion for Bitcoin and human rights in Africa, and the innovative solutions tackling energy and financial inclusion. Featuring insights from Erik Hersman (Gridless) on energy infrastructure and Charlene Fadirepo on empowering African women through Bitcoin, we uncover how this technology is reshaping lives and creating opportunities for a brighter future. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Why the Africa Bitcoin Conference was so impactful and community-driven. 10:24 - How Erik Hersman and Gridless are solving the energy challenge in rural African communities. 15:21 - The role of Bitcoin in empowering individuals and advancing human rights. 15:36 - Key partnerships and energy sources powering Bitcoin mining in Africa. 21:40 - Secondary effects of energy infrastructure on local villages. 31:41 - Insights into Charlene Fadirepo’s four laws to leap and their relevance to Africa's Bitcoin transformation. 43:17 - The financial challenges and systemic inequality historically faced by marginalized communities, and how Bitcoin offers a reset. 49:43 - How education and talent in Africa are driving Bitcoin adoption. 51:30 - Practical ways individuals can contribute to Bitcoin’s growth in Africa. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Erik’s X Account. Charlene’s X Account. Charlene’s New Book: The Bitcoin Leap: How Bitcoin is Transforming Africa. Gridless Website. B-Trust Website. ABC Conference Website. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock SimpleMining Unchained The Bitcoin Way Found Fintool Bluehost Vanta Fintool PrizePicks Onramp TurboTax Fundrise Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In today's episode, Stig Brodersen podcasts about his journey into financial freedom.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - Why people overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in a year 05:14 - The tipping point for Stig 08:28 - Why most people don’t want to be financially independent.  11:58 - Why money can – sort of – buy you happiness 15:55 - How much money one needs to retire 17:00 - How to define financial independence 18:22 - Why you (maybe) need equity to achieve financial independence 21:56 - How to value private businesses  26:42 - What do you do when you reach your number? What is your why?  30:47 - Why you should have negotiables and non-negotiables  33:01 - How to avoid lifestyle creeps 37:34 - Why financial independence is a lonely journey 41:49 - Why the journey is the best part Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Stig’s blog post on his portfolio and track record since 2014. Stig and Clay’s podcast episode on Stig’s return since 2014 | Youtube Video. Check out the criteria of companies in the UK that Stig is interested in buying.  Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock SimpleMining Unchained The Bitcoin Way Found Fintool Bluehost Vanta Fintool PrizePicks Onramp TurboTax Fundrise HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

On today’s episode, Clay is joined by Rob Arnott to discuss the Fundamental Index, the equity risk premium, and where Rob believes we’re at in the value cycle. Rob Arnott is the founder and chairman of the board of Research Affiliates. Rob plays an active role in the firm’s research, portfolio management, product innovation, business strategy, and client-facing activities. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the board. Rob is co-portfolio manager on the PIMCO All Asset and All Asset All Authority funds and the PIMCO RAE™ funds. Over his career, Rob has endeavored to bridge the worlds of academic theorists and financial markets, challenging conventional wisdom and searching for solutions that add value for investors. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - What the Fundamental Index is and how it has performed over the past two decades 16:32 - How to calculate the equity risk premium 23:44 - Why short-term forecasts are impossible to project accurately, but long-term forecasts are not 27:50 - Where Rob believes we are in the value cycle 44:03 - Why companies that get removed from the index tend to outperform those that get added 49:21 - How companies get added to the S&P 500 And so much more! Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Check out the Research Affiliates. Follow Rob on LinkedIn. Email Shawn at shawn@theinvestorspodcast.com to attend our free events in Omaha or visit this page. Follow Clay on Twitter. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock SimpleMining Unchained The Bitcoin Way Found Fintool Bluehost Vanta Fintool PrizePicks Onramp TurboTax Fundrise HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm