The Synopsis - podcast cover

The Synopsis

Drew Cohensites.libsyn.com
In this podcast we share our insights from hundreds of hours of investment research and various topics Drew Cohen has covered on his YouTube Channel and Five Minute Money Newsletter. Most business podcasts are superficial and assume their listeners are unsophisticated. In contrast, The Synopsis trusts listeners are interested in learning about complex, business-specific issues, and want to know the deep details. We approach investing from the perspective of business owners, instead of Wall Street Commentators. Drew Cohen is an investment manager, registered investment advisor, and founder of Speedwell Research, which produces in-depth research reports for hedge funds and asset managers. Speedwell Research spends hundreds of hours researching public businesses and I share my insights in various episodes. Start listening today to become a better analyst, investor and business-person.
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Episodes

Article. What is a Great Business?

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "What is a Great Business?" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/what-is-a-great-company Check out Speedwell's Interview with Best Anchor Stocks ( Spotify , YouTube ) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:01) –Memo Reading Starts (18:37) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a ...

Jun 28, 202419 minEp. 45

Interview. Best Anchor Stocks' Leandro on Multiples, Nintendo, Hermes, and Quality Companies.

In this wide spanning interview episode we talk with Best Anchor Stocks' Leandro on investment philosophy, quality businesses, Nintendo, Deere, Copart, Hermes, and much more! Find out more about Best Anchor Stocks here, follow Leandro on Twitter @Invesquotes and Best Anchor Stocks Podcast can be found here. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (1:16) What Characterizes a Good Business? (6:15) Multiples, Implied Valuation, Reverse DCF (26:00) Great Companies and Valuation, Copart, Conste...

May 30, 20241 hr 23 minEp. 44

Dialogue. Floor & Decor and Copart Business Update 1Q24

On this episode we talk Floor & Decor, Copart, and their 1Q24 results. Check out our full company episodes on Floor & Decor and Copart below if you haven't already! Floor & Decor Company Episode: Apple Spotify Copart Company Episode: Apple Spotify (Note Copart's latest quarter is fiscal 2Q, but ends Feb. 27) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (0:47) Floor & Decor Update (17:58) Copart Update (39:06) Conclusion -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Become a Speedwell Member here to gai...

May 23, 202440 minEp. 43

Dialogue. The Business of SuperApps

On this episode we talk about Grab, WeChat, Meituan, X, and all things about SuperApps. Our conversation builds off of a recent memo on SuperApps, which you can read here: WeChat, Meituan, and Grab: What is a SuperApp and Why You Will Fail Building One **Please note we had issues with the orginal sound recording and had to use AI tools to adjust the sound volume, however it adversely impacted the sound quality. We apologize for this and will try to avoid this happening in the future.** -*-*-*-*-...

May 15, 202446 minEp. 42

Dialogue. Meta and Evolution Business Update 1Q24

On this episode we talk about Meta, Evolution, and their 1Q24 results. Check out our full company episodes on Meta and Evolution below if you haven't already! Meta Company Episode: Apple , Spotify Evolution Company Episode: Apple , Spotify A written update on Meta's 1Q24 results can be found here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (1:06) Evolution Business Update (16:06) Meta Business Update (48:37) Conclusion -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Become a Speedwell Member here to gain access to *a...

May 01, 202449 minEp. 41

Article. Meta Business Update 1Q24

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is a business update on Meta. Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/meta-1q24-business-update Purchase our Meta Research Report here . Become a full Speedwell Member and gain access to the updated reverse DCF and Meta Report here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:04) –Memo Reading Starts...

Apr 26, 202418 minEp. 40

Dialogue. RH Business Update

On this episode we talk about RH and provide an update with their business. Check out our full company episode on RH if you haven't already! (Links below) RH Company Episode: Apple , Spotify A Written Update on RH from 1H23 can be found here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (1:01) Announcement (2:05) RH Business Update (30:44) Conclusion -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Become a Speedwell Member here to gain access to *all* of our in-depth research reports and more! Sign up for Speedwell's f...

Apr 19, 202431 minEp. 39

Article. WeChat, Meituan, and Grab: What is a SuperApp and Why You Will Fail Building One

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "The Investment Matching Principle: How the Risk/ Return Profile Connects to Diversification" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/wechat-meituan-and-grab-superapp -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:07) –Memo Reading Starts (14:43) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a Spe...

Apr 12, 202415 minEp. 38

Dialogue. The Shein Model vs Zara, and Home Depot's Valuation circa 1999

On this episode we talk about two Speedwell Memos. The first memo is titled " Priced to Outperform Perfection: The Home Depot Circa 1999 " and covers how to think about valuation and what is priced into a stock. The second memo is If the Model Doesn't Work, Don't Fix It: A Look at Traditional Apparel Retailers, Zara, and Shein and covers the business operations of three different retail models. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (0:45) First Memo on What was Priced into Home Depot's V...

Apr 10, 202444 minEp. 37

Article. Evolution Business History

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is an exceprt from our Evolution Research Report. Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/evolution-business-history Become a Speedwell Member or Purchase the Evolution Single Report Here -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:18) –Memo Reading Starts (13:40) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*...

Apr 05, 202414 minEp. 36

Article. The Investment Matching Principle: How the Risk/ Return Profile Connects to Diversification

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "The Investment Matching Principle: How the Risk/ Return Profile Connects to Diversification" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/the-investment-matching-principle -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:07) –Memo Reading Starts (13:05) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a Sp...

Mar 29, 202413 minEp. 35

Company. Coupang: Building the Leading South Korean Ecommerce Business from the Ashes of Mediocrity

In this company episode on Coupang, Speedwell Research draws on their extensive research report to cover everything from Founder Bom Kim's early foray into commerce with a Groupon-like business to an epic restructuring of the company just weeks away from IPOing that left them on the path to become the leading South Korean ecommerce business. Learn about how the South Korean competitve enviroment developed differently, as well as how Coupang managed to dominant after a capital-intensive pivot. We...

Mar 26, 20242 hr 14 minEp. 34

Article. Balancing Risk and Return: The Simple Statistics of Investing

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "Balancing Risk and Return: The Simple Statistics of Investing" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/balancing-risk-and-return-the-simple -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:33) –Memo Reading Starts (9:23) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a Speedwell Membership to gain a...

Mar 22, 202410 minEp. 33

Article. Metaphor Malware: The Clumsy Thinking that is Crippling your Business Understanding

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "Metaphor Malware: The Clumsy Thinking that is Crippling your Business Understanding" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/metaphor-malware-the-clumsy-thinking -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:05) –Memo Reading Starts (10:00) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a Speedwe...

Mar 15, 202410 minEp. 32

Dialogue. What is the Cost of Equity?

On this episode we talk about a memo of ours on what the cost of equity is, and how investors can practicially contextualize the question. The memo we draw on in this episode is called "How Pies, Proofs, and Punch Cards Hold Key Insights into the Cost of Equity" and can be found here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (0:45) How Much Money Should I Make for Risking my Capital? (1:32) The Munchausen Trilemma (3:48) Relative vs Absolute Investors (11:38) How "Absolute Investor" is a M...

Mar 13, 202427 minEp. 31

Article. If the Model Doesn't Work, Don't Fix It: A Look at Traditional Apparel Retailers, Zara, and Shein

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks memo is "If the Model Doesn't Work, Don't Fix It: A Look at Traditonal Apparel Retailers, Zara, and Shein" Memo Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/if-the-model-doesnt-work-dont-fix -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:05) –Memo Reading Starts (12:43) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase...

Mar 08, 202413 minEp. 30

Article. Constellation Software Business History

In this episode of The Synopsis we read an excerpt from our Constellation Software research report, covering their Business History. If you prefer to read instead of listening to this article, you can find access to it below. Article Link: Speedwell Memos - Constellation Software Business History -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:13) – Article Reading Starts (9:25) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase Constellation Research Report Purchase a Speedwell Membership to ...

Mar 01, 202410 minEp. 29

Company. Constellation Software: The Business of Buying Software Businesses

In this company episode on Constellation Software, Speedwell Research draws on their extensive research report to cover everything from Mark Leonard's early insight into the quality of Vertical Market Software Businesses to their unique operating structure. Investors can learn not only about the software business, but also about how Constellation Software has created a conglomerate of hundreds of companies through an impressive multi-decade acquistion spree, all while keeping capital allocation ...

Feb 28, 20241 hr 30 minEp. 28

Article. If You Don't Know What Game You're Playing, You Already Lost

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is If You Don't Know What Game You're Playing, You Already Lost Article Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/if-you-dont-know-what-game-youre -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (1:17) –Memo Reading Starts (13:14) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase a Speedwell Membership to gain a...

Feb 23, 202413 minEp. 27

Dialogue. When Investors Drive the Narrative

On this episode we talk about a recent memo on how investors can influence businesses and what is difference between being a public versus private company. The memo we draw on is called "From Private to Public Markets: The Detrimental Impact of Investors' Expectations" and can be found here . We recently found out we have a *duplicate Spotify feed* and will be *removing* it this week. Please follow this correct Spotify feed just called "The Synopsis" to keep getting our content! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*...

Feb 20, 202429 minEp. 26

Article. From Public to Private Markets: The Detrimental Impact of Investors' Expectations

*Important* If you listen on Spotify, make sure you follow us on this Spotify feed . We just became aware there was a duplicate feed, which we are disconnecting next week. In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is From Public to Private Markets: The Detrimental Impact of Investors' Expectations Article Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/from-p...

Feb 16, 202421 minEp. 25

Interview. Mostly Borrowed Ideas on Google, Meta, and Investment Decision Quality

On our very first interview we talk with Mostly Borrowed Ideas in a wide spanning interview on Meta, Google, Microsoft, and investment decision quality. Mostly Borrowed Ideas writes a deep-dive on a publically traded company every month. You can find more out about him and his writings here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro (2:37) Meta, Risks, Tiktok, ATT, Metaverse (26:22) Google, Sundar Pichai, Capital Allocation (33:52) Google Risks (46:59) What is a Great Business? (59:19) Owne...

Feb 14, 20241 hr 20 minEp. 24

Dialogue. Meta, Etsy, and Snowballing Risk

On this episode we talk about how investment risks could impact an investment thesis through the lens of Etsy and Meta. We provide a short "timeless" update on both companies as well. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Important Announcement (0:41) Intro (3:33) Etsy Value Prop, Issues, and Temu Read-through (16:41) Meta Risks and The One Thing Investors Needed To Be Sure Of (26:33) How to Gain Clarity with Meta Circa 2022 (34:20) Conclusion -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Buy Meta Single Research Rep...

Feb 13, 202435 minEp. 23

Article. Etsy Business History

In this episode of The Synopsis we read an excerpt from our 79 page Etsy Report, covering Etsy's Business History. If you prefer to read instead of listening to this article, you can find access to it below. Article Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/etsy-business-history -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Important Announcement (0:45) – Intro (1:36) – Article Reading Starts (30:31) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Purchase Etsy Research Report Purchase a Speedwell Membership ...

Feb 09, 202431 minEp. 22

Dialogue. A New Mental Model: The Piton Network

Charlie Munger talks about the Latticework of Mental Models and how having exposure to many different disciplines helps gain insight into problems. Key to connecting different disciplines though, is the metaphor. This week, on The Synopsis, we talk about our two Piton Network business philosophy pieces. The Piton Network is our attempt to create a metaphor that furthers investors and analysts understanding of business and strategy. Our first memo is The Piton Network: Decisions that Simultaneous...

Feb 06, 202445 minEp. 21

Article. Meta-Optimizations: Knowing When a Business is Operating from Strength or Weakness

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is Meta-Optimizations: Knowing When a Business is Operating From Strength or Weakness Article Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/meta-optimizations-knowing-when-a *Please note that this memo builds off a concept introduced early in The Piton Network: Decisions that Simultaneously Support and Limit the Fut...

Feb 02, 202430 minEp. 20

Dialogue. Lessons We Can't Draw From Wish

This week on The Synopsis, we talk about a recent memo, "The Future of Ecommerce That Wasn't: An In-depth Look into What Went Wrong with Wish". In this conversation we talk about Wish and what lessons we cannot draw from their lack of success. We also talk about our LTV and financial analaysis, as well as what Wish's value prop was compared to other competitors. You can read the Full Memo here . You can become a full Speedwell Research Member here . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) Intro ...

Jan 30, 202438 minEp. 19

Article. The Future of Ecommerce That Wasn't: An In-depth Look into What Went Wrong with Wish

In this episode of The Synopsis we read our weekly Speedwell Research memo. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. There are several charts and excels in this memo that may be helpful to look at for more comprehensive understanding. This weeks article is The Future of Ecommerce That Wasn't: An In-depth Look into What Went Wrong with Wish Article Link: https://www.speedwellmemos.com/p/the-future-of-ecommerce-that-wasnt -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- ...

Jan 26, 202430 minEp. 18

Company. Evolution: Bringing the Casino Online

In this podcast on Evolution, Speedwell Research draws on their 74-page report to cover everything from the company's inception experimenting with a single roulette wheel to a global business with 60%+ margins. Studying this extremely unique business will teach listeners about the importance of value chain positioning, using negotiating leverage, and how to maintain a very lucrative business in a highly competitive industry. Everyone says the house aways wins, but not in the online casino world ...

Jan 24, 20242 hr 13 minEp. 17

Article. Ten Lessons from Copart's 40 Years in Business: Learning from Willis Johnson and Jay Adair

In this episode of The Synopsis we read a Speedwell Research memo from our backlog. If you prefer to read instead of listen to the memo, you can find access to the article below. This weeks article is 10 Lessons from Copart's 40 Years in Business: Learning from Willis Johnson and Jay Adair Article Link: https://speedwellsnippets.substack.com/p/10-lessons-from-coparts-40-years -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Show Notes (0:00) – Intro (0:55) – Memo Reading Starts (20:30) – Closing Comments -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-...

Jan 19, 202421 minEp. 16
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