About this episode

Robert Robotti discusses his value investing journey and insights on market inefficiencies.

Robert Robotti, President and CIO of Robotti & Company Advisors, joins host Michael Mauboussin to explore a lifetime shaped by value investing. With deep roots in accounting and formative experiences auditing firms like Tweedy, Browne, Bob shares how those early exposures led him to a career buying underfollowed, undervalued companies. In this episode, Bob discusses how his contrarian approach has thrived amid market inefficiencies, especially in cyclical industries and under-the-radar public firms. He breaks down key investments, including Builders FirstSource and Tidewater, and explains why capital allocation, aligned incentives, and patience are critical to long-term success. He also addresses private equity, passive investing, and how AI might affect the future of both business operations and markets — and much more! Key Topics: Introduction (0:00) Bob's upbringing and early exposure to entrepreneurship (2:09) How auditing Tweedy, Browne sparked Bob's interest in value investing (4:17) Learning through Tony Pustorino and practical accounting (4:32) Early influences from Walter Schloss, Joe Reilly, and Tweedy, Browne (5:39) Experience working with Mario Gabelli (6:57) Founding…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Mauboussin

Guest: Robert Robotti

Topics covered

• value investing
• portfolio management
• market inefficiencies
• capital allocation
• private equity
• cyclical industries

Keywords

• value investing
• portfolio management
• capital allocation
• market inefficiencies
• private equity
• cyclical industries
• intrinsic value
• passive investing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Robotti & Company Advisors, Tweedy, Browne, Builders FirstSource, Tidewater

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